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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 8, 2023)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, February 8, 2023 -- 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. Email to editor@rapidserve.net or upload to Heppner.net. Scary Balloons Balloons have always been a little scary to me. Seems like they always pop at some inopportune moment, wreaking havoc on the unsuspecting holder. Clowns run a close second on my birthday could-do- without list. So, given my aversion to both balloons and clowns…the last cou- ple days have been a perfect storm of creepiness. Learning that our American Air Space just had a couple “Weather Bal- loons” straight from Com- munist China is a little un- nerving. Am I worried that they have collected some valuable, sensitive infor- mation during their flight? Not especially. Pretty sure they’ve already visited a certain garage for that info. Even the theory that they will use big, white balloons to release the next pan- demic doesn’t fly with me. There are easier and more effective ways to spread disease and death if so desired. Fentanyl has been pretty effective, and the transport method couldn’t be easier. Thanks, Brandon. But still, isn’t our air space sort of sacred as in… somebody should be keep- ing track of what comes and goes there? Yes, I know it finally got shot down but se- riously, folks. Say you hired a security guard who had a habit of letting burglars come in, wander around, take what they want, and maybe pilfer through your fridge before he booted them out. How long would it take to fire that clown? Next time, maybe hire the guy with the big guns. I’m fairly convinced that China has access to all they need or want from us…including millions of acres of farmland, and a po- lice force. Those engraved invitations have already been sent by their Biden buddies. So why the need for big white balloons? Maybe a little test, or a little fun just to see the reaction. Sort of like poking the bear. Too bad our bear has lost his teeth. I miss those days when our enemies were afraid of us. Give me an Orange Scary Man any day over a Stumbling Dementia Pa- tient. Trump had our ene- mies where they needed to be…shaking in their boots at the thought of ruffling his feathers. They knew he was strong enough, smart enough and, yes, arrogant enough to push any button necessary to win. Walk softly (or not), and carry a big stick, wave it around a little and make sure your enemies see it. Klaus Schwab, Bill Gates, John Kerry and the WEF may have some ne- farious intentions for our country. Reducing the pop- ulation, altering our brains with AI, One World Gov- ernment and “You will own nothing and be happy about it.” But when it comes to bringing our country down, China may beat them to it, especially with the help of our own Useful Idiots who are more worried about gas stoves and ‘68 Chevys ru- ining the planet. Or maybe all they need to do is keep selling us all their cheap China garbage and that’s why we will “own noth- ing” …because China stuff never lasts. Come to think of it, maybe we didn’t shoot it down. Maybe it just blew. After all, it was made in China. Susie Crosby Heppner, OR Good News Only by Doris Brosnan Apologies for an oversight last week: For omitting the fact that Ali Ball is fortunate to include more grand- parents in her fan base, Les and Kathy Payne of Umatilla and Phyllis Armitage of Wenatchee, WA. Congratulations to Linsey Mitchell and Hunter Nichols for earning their inclusion on the Eastern Oregon University’s honor roll for GPAs of 3.5 and better. And congratulations to Jaycee Currin for making the Presi- dent’s List at Montana State University with her 4.0 GPA. “They sound great!” observed several spectators at the HHS basketball games last Friday, referring to the band. Led by Brooke Baker, the 20 students sounded exceptional from the “Star Spangled Banner” to the final HHS fight song after the boys’ team won its game with Enterprise. So much energy echoed from their brief bursts of melodies during the time-outs, surely stimulating the cheering section. The three Bennett sisters—Judy Barber, Sandy Mat- thews, and Debbie Sumner—had a surprising adventure on Jan. 24. First, the three met Debbie’s two daughters and husbands—Kim and Todd Wright and Jodi and Mike Hand—in Walla Walla for lunch, a mini-celebration of Debbie’s birthday. Then, they decided to stay at Wildhorse for the night, and after checking in, Judy and Sandy as- signed Debbie to the nearby section of chairs while they ran their belongings to the room. When, minutes later, they returned, they were stunned to see Debbie headed into a hug with a younger, unfamiliar man! Debbie said she hadn’t recognized the face seated near her, but she did the voice, a voice from her past, the voice of Bud Marshall. This was Bud and Ramona’s grandson Paul, son of their daughter Mona Lisa, who had been Debbie’s absolute best friend throughout their school years and beyond. The three Heppner women enjoyed catch-up visiting with Paul for five and a half hours, lasting late enough that they had to settle for grilled cheese sandwiches for their dinner. Paul lives on the coast and was staying with his boss at Wildhorse while they worked on a nearby project. Our local library is extending another invitation: Come and join them for “Crafty Night Wednesday,” this evening at 6 p.m. This month’s craft will be Perler Bead Valentine’s Day Cards. This program is for adult crafters only and registration is required. Go to the website now to reserve your spot. (And for an advanced look at future classes.) In your list of “things to do” this week, try to include sharing with the “Good News.” Easy to send to dbros- nan123@gmail.com or call 541-223-1490. Here’s hoping that some good news comes to every- one reading this! Heppner High announces fall honor roll Heppner Jr./Sr. High School has announced the honor roll for fall semester 2022. Making the honor roll with a 4.0 GPA were seniors Tyler Boor, Samuel Jacob Finch, Paul Lindsay, Trevor Nichols, Madison Palm- er, Hailey Wenberg and Katherine Wilson. Making the list with a 3.5 or better GPA were seniors Kylie Holden, Camryn Scrivner, Trinity Bunce, Dusty Rob- inson, Daralynn Teeman, Daemon Worden, Jacob Lentz, Brooklynn Wilson and Jacob Haugen. Juniors with a 4.0 GPA were Morgan Cutsforth, Caden George, Irelynn Kollman and Cameron Proudfoot. Juniors on the honor roll with 3.5 or better GPA were Cade Cunning- ham, Thomas Bales and Piper Kelton. Sophomores on the honor roll with a 4.0 GPA were Jackson Coiner, Hal- lee Hisler, John Lindsay and Katie Spivey. On the honor roll with 3.5 or higher was Mason Orem. On the honor roll with a 4.0 GPA were freshmen Elizabeth Finch, Lilyanna Nichols, Rylee Palmer and Delilah Sauceda. With 3.5 or better were freshmen Lo- ren Trujillo, Caleb George and Teagan Kelton. Eighth graders on the honor roll were: (4.0) Lin- coln Ellsworth, Rebecca Ellsworth, Claire Lindsay, McKenzie Maben, Hai- ley McDaniel and Maya Payne, and (3.5 or higher) Brooklyn Hendricks, Healy Hisler, KayeleeJean Davis, Jules Archer, Avree Lath- rop, Lita Nelson, Natalie Piper, Caylan Proudfoot and Logan Turner. On the roll with 4.0 GPA were seventh-graders Mary Ashbeck, Elizabeth Ginn, Samantha Lamb and Dallie Wilcox. With 3.5 or better were Isabel Payne, Addison Coe, Darby Spivey and Kathryn Anderson. YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! Submit Ads ON WEB SITE heppner.net Call 541-676-9228 Email graphics@rap- idserve.net Ione FFA recognizes first levels of membership Discovery and Greenhand degrees were presented to Ione FFA members recently. Pictured L-R are Novalee Campbell, Isabelle Ogden, Phegley Padberg, Oliva Ogden, Miley Stre- zlewicz, CiCi Stefani, Caydance Kreitzer, Gage Heideman, William McElligott, Blake Vandever and Hunter Scoggin. -Contributed photo Isabelle and Olivia Ogden will represent Ione FFA Chapter at the district contest Feb. 7 at BMCC. The pair is pictured here with District FFA President Elizabeth Doherty from Hermiston. -Contributed photo I o n e F FA C h a p t e r awarded five discovery de- grees and eight greenhand degrees at the Greenhand FFA Dessert held on Jan. 25 in the Ione school cafeteria. These are the first and sec- ond levels of membership in the organization. The discovery degree was awarded to Caydance Kreitzer, Hunter Scoggin, Adrian Mendoza, Gage Heideman and Blake Van- dever. This is the first de- gree a member can be eligi- ble for, and it is intended for seventh and eighth grade members who participate in FFA activities. The greenhand degree was awarded to Novalee Campbell, Khira Kreit- zer, Olivia Ogden, Isabelle Ogden, Phegley Padberg, William McElligott, CiCi Stefani and Miley Strzele- wicz. This degree is award- ed to ninth grade or older members, or members who have their discovery degree, who learn about the FFA history, mission, creed and emblem and make plans for a supervised agricultural experience program (SAE). Also during the event, the chapter hosted their chapter Creed Speaking contest. The Creed is the first public speaking event students can participate in for FFA. Contestants were Delaney Stefani, Elizabeth Doherty, Olivia Ogden, Novalee Campbell and Is- abelle Ogden. “We had five members choose to compete in this speaking contest and they were incredible,” said FFA advisor Erin Heideman. “Public speaking is a hard thing to do, especially vol- untarily, and these eighth and ninth graders did it. I am exceptionally proud of them.” Oliva and Isabelle Og- den will represent the chap- ter at the district contest at BMCC Tuesday, Feb. 7. The district includes all of the FFA chapters in both Umatilla and Morrow counties. The judges for the creed contest were Emily Taylor (American Degree recipi- ent 2018), Jake Heideman (American Degree recip- ient 2021) and Elizabeth Doherty, District FFA Pres- ident from Hermiston. FFA, once known as Future Farmers of Amer- ica, is the largest youth leadership organization in the United States. Go to www.oregonffa.com to learn more about this orga- nization.
