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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 25, 2021)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, August 25, 2021 -- THREE Good News Only By Doris Brosnan On Tuesday, August 10, Mike and Cindi Doherty and Jerry and Ione Mar- tin, Cindy’s parents from Hermiston, went to Lin- coln City to meet Larry and Linda Martin from Waterloo, Iowa. Larry is Jerry’s brother, and Lar- ry’s wife Linda had never been to Oregon. They were spending Tuesday, Wednes- day and Thursday together. Larry even rented a van so they could tour together. They drove along the coast on Thursday, south from Lincoln City, where they were staying. When they returned from Newport, the hotel called to announce that they had to leave. The call came at about 3 p.m., and everyone had to be out by 6. The facility closed the casino, the restaurants and the hotel. Because it was summer and there were no rooms available, Larry and Linda went back to Portland to visit her son, and the rest returned to eastern Oregon that evening. (Good news was sharing that time to- gether, a first for Linda and a memory made.) Evelyn Sweek will cel- ebrate her 90 th birthday, again, on the 30 th . Why again? Because of schedule demands, a small gathering of some friends and family toasted Evelyn last Satur- day. HBD, Evelyn. Last week, Jason and Michelle Carson’s family welcomed, a wee bit earlier than planned, baby Olivia, who weighed in at 5 lbs., 8 oz. Olivia joins parents and siblings Mason, Ryan and Isabelle. Tanner Rietmann, son of Greg and Shelley, and Madison Carlyn plan to wed on December 18. Tan- ner works with his father, and Madison will be the third-grade teacher at Ione this fall. Bingo has started up again at St. Patrick’s Senior Center. As of yesterday, players are welcome at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays. The only restriction is that players must wear masks unless they are actively eating during the potluck period. Outer doors are unlocked during the day for easy access.. Betty Gray can attest to the large variety of good produce that is available from the gentleman from Lebanon who includes Ar- lington, Ione, and Lexing- ton in his circuit. He is in Ione on Tuesdays from 11 to 1, before moving on to Lexington. She reports that the tomatoes and peach- es have been especially outstanding, and he has informed her that he plans to continue this service into mid-September, when his supplier no longer supplies. Last weekend, many family groups of multi- ple generations filled the bleachers and/or performed in the rodeo. Such good news for families when off- spring (and their offspring, often) gather for this August event that affords time to connect to those ties that bind. While touring the fair entries, the concern about a seeming drop in entries was replaced with the knowledge that anyone who didn’t enter even one thing may have contributed to the drop but also the more cheerful knowledge that we have almost a year to create even one entry. That is good news. Mentally calculated several times, the number is repeatedly “eight” times a pedestrian can cross Wil- low Creek when walking from one end of Heppner to the other. Starting at the dam, ending on Morgan Street? (Yes, please check my calculations.) Pausing at each bridge offers repeated moments of pleasure in the (reassuring? happy? uplift- ing?) sound and sight of the clear water. (Good news, too, is the cleanup of the banks – only a few careless people have left Styrofoam, plastic and metal containers behind in a few places.) Good news can be the passing of a test of one part of a senior citizen’s brain: Encountered on Main Street last weekend someone who moved from Heppner many, many years ago. She rec- ognized me. I thought I recognized her. She asked my name. I answered as I searched my memory banks for the answer to my ques- tion. Bingo. Theo Greenup. Congrats to us both. (Theo lives in Mississippi.) Oh, yes, the rooster reigns. Not only has he returned at 5 a.m.; some mornings he seems to be ac- companied by background singers - quail, doves and occasional overhead Cana- dian geese who add their cacophonous echoes. But little Houdini Dog has not attempted to visit for a couple of weeks now, apparently no longer feel- ing amorous over Katie the collie. Too busy to write a tidbit to add to this column? A quick phone call with your information can also guarantee some smiles for readers. Please, share your good-news tidbits by send- ing them before Monday afternoon to dbrosnan123@ gmail.com, or call 541-676- 5382 or 541-223-1490, or stop me on the street. Here’s hoping that some good news comes to everyone reading this. A View from the Green Congressman Bentz WCCC men’s play hosts town halls Congressman Cliff District.” Bentz recently host- Each forum ed town halls in 11 gave constituents of the 20 counties the opportunity in Oregon’s Second to ask questions Congressional Dis- and voice their trict. During the town opinions on feder- halls, Congressman C o n g re s s m a n al legislation and Bentz gave an up- Cliff Bentz other issues im- date on his work in pacting Oregon. Washington, D.C., includ- Many spoke of their con- ing his efforts to secure aid cerns regarding federal land for communities struck by management policies that drought, promote water contribute to catastrophic infrastructure projects, raise wildfires, dam removal the profile of wildfire issues proposals that would harm in the west, stop out-of- Oregon agriculture, pan- control deficit spending and demic measures that have address the immigration impacted the economy and and border crisis. efforts to undermine local “I am so thankful to decision making in commu- those who took the time to nities and schools. participate in our town halls The counties visited by this past week,” said Bentz. Congressman Bentz includ- “In groups big and small, ed Umatilla, Morrow, Gil- we talked about serious liam, Sherman, Lake, Har- issues impacting Oregon ney, Grant, Wheeler, Crook, families and communities. I Jefferson and Deschutes. am committed to continuing Bentz said he is currently to listen to my constituents planning to visit the remain- as I return to Washington, ing nine counties during the D.C. for debate on the up- month of September. He coming budget bill and as I hopes to announce those look to visit the remaining county town halls as soon nine counties in Oregon’s as possible. vast Second Congressional Hopeful Saints to hold outdoor worship Praise in the Park will be the theme of Hopeful Saints Ministry’s annual outdoor worship service at Hager Park on Sunday, August 29. The singing will begin at 10 a.m., with worship to follow (in per- son and on Facebook Live). All are encouraged, but not required, to bring an object from nature to add to the altar table and a lawn chair. A potluck barbecue and games will follow the wor- ship. Bring meat to grill and a salad or dessert to share. Dinnerware and drinks will be provided. Everyone is welcome to come and join this opportunity to gather and sing together outside in what is forecasted to be a beautiful day. Additional information about this event and other church activities is avail- able by calling the church office at 541-676-9970. Mormon crickets, topic of meeting Eight golfers participat- ed in men’s play on Sunday, August 22 at Willow Creek Country Club. Taking first in gross was Jerry Gentry with 68. Dave Pranger was second with 70 and Dale Boyd came in third with 75. First in net went to Gene Orwick with 60. The second-place winner was Mike Doherty and third was Roger Ehrmantraut. Derek Gunderson and David Gunderson will host the next men’s play on Au- gust 29. Over the Tee Cup Virginia Grant took low gross of the field at the Willow Creek Country Club ladies play day on August 17, a cool day. Low net of the field winner was Pat Edmundson and Karen Haguewood had the least putts. Grant also got a birdie on #10. For flight A, Karen Thompson had low gross and Shelly had low net. Corol Mitchell had the least putts and Virginia Grant got the long drive and KP. Pat Dougherty won low gross for flight B and Pat Edmundson got the long drive and KP. Flight C winners were Lorene Montgomery for low gross and Kris Linder, low net. Jean Creswick had the least putts and Betty Carter got the long drive and KP. In other events, Virgin- ia Grant, Karen Haguewood and Betty Carter got the long putts for flights A, B and C. The Eddi Skow/WCCC ladies club championship will be held August 31 and September 1. Ladies must sign up in advance to play. Free haircuts at Neighborhood Center Joseph Kindle will be providing free back to school haircuts for ele- mentary age boys at the Neighborhood Center on Thursday, August 26 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 pm. No ap- pointment is necessary. Joseph Kindle is currently a student at Paul Mitchell The School in Richland, WA and is set to graduate in November. The Neighborhood Center will hold a $15 bag sale on Wednesday, Sep- tember 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed 12:30- 1:30 p.m. for lunch). Shop for the entire family and fill up a bag with clothing, shoes, books, games, music and movies. Second bag purchased will be at a dis- count rate of $5. Household items are 50 percent off that day as well. Proceeds from the sale help purchase food for the pantry. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday at 441 N Main Street, Heppner. For any questions about emer- gency services contact Lisa Patton at 541-676-5024. Chamber meeting The Heppner Cham- ber of Commerce monthly meeting is scheduled for September 2 at 12 noon at the Gilliam and Bisbee building. Lunch of a taco, side dish and dessert will be catered by Tacos Home- town for $10 per person. RSVPs for attendance and choice of beef or chick- en taco must be received by Monday, August 30. Call 541-676-5536 or email heppnerchamber@gmail. com to RSVP. A meeting to discuss the Mormon Cricket situa- tion in Morrow County will be held Thursday, August 26 at 7 p.m. at the city park in Ione. The discussion will be asking what can be done Mormon crickets are moving Morrow County Justice of the Peace, Glen Diehl, has about them as they move into Morrow County. released the following Justice Court report: into the county. -Donald Martin, Jr., 51, Heppner, was convicted of DWS, fine $440. -Travis A. Palmer, 30, Heppner, was convicted of DWS, fine $440. Jerald Paul Ellenberger – Jerald Paul Ellenberger -Colton L. Todd, 26, Seattle, WA, was convicted of of Milton-Freewater passed away August 19, 2021, at his violation of basic rule, fine $165 and failure to carry proof home at the age of 77 years. He was born October 9, 1943. of insurance, fine $265. Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home of Milton-Freewater is in care of arrangements. Justice Court Report Death Notices DEADLINE: WWW.HEPPNER.NET Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription MONDAYS AT 5PM Spiritually Speaking Be active listeners of the word of God By Fr. Thankachan Joseph As we read this week, we are re- minded to be active listeners, not passive listeners, of the Word of God, letting His word transform us into good deeds. Through the readings of the day, the Lord asks us to reflect on our lives, to check whether we are really honoring Him with Fr. Thankachan our hearts or only with our lips. What Joseph has been the effect of the Lord’s word in our lives? Have we really been doers of the word, or merely hearers? While going through the reading from St. James (1: 17-18m 21-22,27), I was reminded of one of the anec- dotes I read somewhere about uprightness and integrity: A man and a lady enter a takeaway restaurant. The man orders two fried-chicken dinners. The girl at the counter mistakenly gives him a bag of money, the entire day’s proceeds. The man and woman drive to their picnic site and sit down to enjoy their chicken dinners. To their surprise, they discover that it is a bag of money, totaling almost $10,000. They put the money back in the bag, drive back to the restaurant, and return the money bag to the restaurant manager. The manager is overwhelmed. He declares the man a hero and a saint. He goes to call the local press to put the story and the man’s picture into the local newspaper. “You’re the most honest man in the whole world,” says the manager. But the man will not let him call the press. Instead, he leans closer and whispers in the manager’s ear, “You see, the woman I’m with is not my wife...she’s, uh, somebody else’s wife.” The man might well be a hero, but he’s no saint. As James tells us, true Christian holiness has as much to do with doing good to others as it has with keeping ourselves pure. “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27). The man scores high on honesty but very low on integrity. A majority of Christians in our churches belong to one of two camps. Either, like the man in the story, scoring high marks in their commitment to practical justice and fairness but low in self-discipline and integrity, or they are people who score high in self-discipline but low in practical commitment to fairness and upright living. James, the apostle of practical Christianity, teaches us that a Christian must score high marks in concern for the welfare of others and in self-mastery to be truly holy and acceptable before God. St. James leads us to understand the importance of practical Christianity, that faith without good works is dead (James 2:17). James makes two important points in today’s read- ing: the importance of faith in action, and he defines for us what true devotion is. True devotion is not a matter of hearing good preaching and celebrating inspirational liturgies, which are both wonderful. The litmus test of true devotion remains in how we live out the word of God. “But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, ongoing away, immediately forget what they were like.” (James 1:22-24) James uses the analogy of a man who looks in the mirror and sees his dirty face and untidy hair and goes away without doing anything about it. The word of God, like the mirror, shows us how dirty our faces are and how unkempt our hair is. A wise man would immediately take steps to wash his face and shave his beard to improve his looks. That is the purpose of the mirror. Hearing the word of God alone does not make us holy. It is when we take steps to put into action what the word of God teaches us that we make progress in the journey of faith. James also says, “If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless” (1: 26). This would be a good place to start. We could resolve from now on to listen more and speak less. As Zeno said, “We have two ears but only one mouth, that we may hear more and speak less.”
