Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 22, 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. The emperor is naked Do you ever feel like you’re living in a fairy tale? I do. No, not Cinder- ella. Although that would be kinda cool, especially if Prince Charming could unload hay and milk a cow. The fairy tale I have in mind is about an Emperor who believes he is parading in front of his subjects wear- ing a splendidly magical suit of beautifully woven fabric. And since rumor has it that simpletons can’t see the suit, nobody is brave enough to reveal the truth… that the only thing the em- peror is donning is his royal Birthday Suit. Today’s headlines: “Emperor’s Clothes More Splendid Than Ever This Year.” In other news: Bor- ders are secure, inflation is minimal, vaccines are still safe, doctors assign gender, babies are dispos- able, Biden doesn’t have dementia, and we’re all better off today than when Trump was in office. Oh yeah, and January sixers are a bigger threat than China, and Russia didn’t mean it. Then we have a bril- liant press secretary assur- ing us that Fentanyl isn’t a problem and that they are “handling” the border (both said with a straight face). No worries, Mate, and no more questions because drug cartels, sex trafficking and millions of illegals are apparently invisible to this administration. Sometimes I wonder, how does her tongue not just fall out of her mouth? But then why skirt around the truth when you can spout total lies unscathed? Lack of accountability is a great motivator to ditch the normal political half-truths. Why do we refuse to believe what our eyes tell us? And why do we al- low common sense to be squelched by so many fool- ish explanations? Are we so afraid we’ll be “thought a fool”? Or maybe we won’t get to sit at the Cool Table? Or worse, maybe we’re afraid we’ll be labeled “Right Wing, Trumpster, Hater, Racist, or Trans- phobe” …any of those work pretty well as bully tools. As long as we continue to ignore the truth, for what- ever reason, I doubt we’ll be happy with the results. How did men like Putin and Jong-un become so powerful? Good men doing nothing leaves evil men to prosper. That’s how. I do believe these are the last days that Jesus talked about. But I also believe we are to fight for what’s right and search for the truth. Maybe it’s time to listen to that one kid in the parade that’s pointing to the Emperor and saying, “Hey, he’s naked!” Thomas Jefferson said, “Those who don’t read the newspapers are better off than those who do insofar as those who know nothing are better off than those whose heads are filled with half-truths and lies.” Well said, sir. “Don’t let anyone cap- ture you with empty philos- ophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ” (Colossians 2:8). Susie Crosby Heppner, OR WCVEDG now accepting community enhancement grant applications Willow Creek Valley Economic Development Group (WCVEDG) is now accepting applications for its Community Enhance- ment Grant. This grant is awarded to non-profits, municipalities or special districts that are in WCVEDG’s designated service area and fulfill the eligible project description. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, recre- ational programs or projects that serve the public, cultur- al activities, public beauti- fication projects, existing program enhancement and capital improvements. WCVEDG has been granted these funds from the Columbia River Enter- prise Zone (CREZ) Board. WCVEDG uses some of the funding for the community and public enhancement of South Morrow County. Resources are provided to worthy projects and groups best fulfilling of the desig- nated region. Applications are being accepted from March 16 to April 25. To learn more about this grant, including the 2023 service area map and eligible projects, vis- it heppnerchamber.com/ grants, email wcvedg@ gmail.com or call 503-504- 8508. Applications to be sub- mitted by email to wc- vedg@gmail.com or mailed to WCVEDG, PO Box 14, Heppner, OR 97836. Dinner and bingo at Holly Rebekah lodge Holly Rebekah Lodge in Lexington is planning an evening of dinner and bingo this Sunday, march 26, beginning at 3 p.m. The evening will kick off at 3 p.m. with a loaded nacho bar for $5. Bingo will begin at 3:30, with 10 cards for $5 or cards 50 cents each. Prizes include a variety of baked goods as well as some kids’ prizes. The Holly Rebekah Lodge is located at 135 W Main St, Lexington. WCCC men’s play begins March 26 Willow Creek Country Club will have its open- ing Sunday men’s play on March 26. The men’s club board will sponsor the event. Breakfast will be served beginning at 7:30 a.m. with play to start af- terward. The format will be a two-man scramble blind man draw. The Wednesday night team match play event will start on April 12. The sig- nup sheet will be in the clubhouse. Good News Only by Doris Brosnan “God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.” This quote by JM Barrie provides a vivid example of the power of memory, possibly most important when someone has had to lay a loved one to rest. The thrill of victory… The agony of defeat! The expectations of participating teams at the Trivia Night last Thursday and the good-natured smack talk and chal- lenges created a big mix of exuberance and groaning. The fundraiser for Heppner Day Care at Gilliam and Bisbee Event Center drew 12 teams vying for bragging rights and a prize. The team of the “Shamrockers” (referring to their rocking chairs) contained the grand marshals for Satur- day’s parade, the team with the most “senior citizens,” and a spokesperson said excitedly that they were simply happy to have placed third from the last! Some “snowbirds” returned from a winter in Arizona and California in time for Heppner’s weekend celebration. All reports are that the weather was much cooler than usual, requiring long sleeves, sometimes jackets. But the sun shined/shone brightly for Heppner’s Wee Bit O’ Ireland on Saturday, which surely contrib- uted to what might have been the largest crowd on the sidewalks and the most participants in the several events since pre-pandemic celebrations. A great opportunity for first-timers and for family and friends to reunite. Jacob and Carter Ball were visiting for the weekend from Washington with grandmother Diana Ball to help celebrate the St. Patrick’s Celebration. They attended the bull riding event along with aunts Andrea Fletcher and Becky Cannon. And on Friday evening, Merlin and Claudia Hughes were surprised when introduced to some descendants of Jim and Phil Higgins. A great visit ensued and some new friendships developed because the “Higgins Place” was just over the hill from the Hughes Ranch, a place that Jim and Phil settled on in 1903 and much later sold to Eb Hughes. Four generations of the Higgins family gathered in Heppner for the weekend. The group of 19 who includ- ed three granddaughters of the Jim Higgins were eager for information from Merlin and were planning to visit the museums, as well as take in all of the weekend festivities. Congratulation to Tucker Ashbeck and Ty Boor, who have been selected to play for the East team at this year’s East-West Shrine Football game in August. Good luck! (Heppner seems to have someone playing in this event every year!) The season of elementary-school club basketball has ended, but a shout-out can still go out to the Heppner kids who traveled to compete in Hermiston those sev- eral winter Saturdays. And to the coaches dedicated to teaching fundamentals, helping players improve skills, giving them all the learning experiences that come with the sport. One example of such dedication was pointed out by Pat Prock, who now lives in Pendleton but was able to witness Kathleen Greenup work with her team. So, curiosity led to Google: Legend has the origin of the Easter Bunny coming to America with German immi- grants. First mentioned in writings in 1500s, supposedly a poor woman decorated colorful eggs for her children to find in the garden. As soon as the hidden eggs were found, a large hare was seen hopping away. The children thought the hare (Hase) had left the eggs, and the rest is history… This writer and many readers can never get enough good news! So, we hope everyone who has had something to smile about recently will share it. An email to dbrosnan123@gmail.com or call to 541-223-1490 will do it. Here’s hoping that some good news comes to every- one reading this! Ione FFA represents Morrow County Twelve Ione FFA Chap- ter members attended the Oregon State FFA Con- vention in Redmond March 16-19. Their advisor, Erin Heideman, said they were a testament to their com- munity. “I am so proud of the young people who attend- ed the convention. They were polite, respectful and earned many compliments at the restaurants we pa- troned; a testament to their families and the wonderful community we hail from,” Heideman said. The members also took home some great awards and recognition for their hard work: first place ad- vanced portfolio, Madison Orem; silver beginning portfolio, Gage Heideman; first place laser engraving project, Carter Eynetich; third place laser engraving project, Brionna Serrano; fourth place laser engraving project, Khira Kreitzer; first place photography exhibit, Gage Heideman; second place educational poster, Phegley Padberg; fourth place CNC manufactured exhibit, Carter Eynetich; first place 7 th /8 th grade so- cial science agriscience project, Olivia Ogden and Novalee Campbell; first place 9 th /10 th grade social science agriscience proj- ect, Khira Kreitzer; finalist for plant agriscience entry, 7 th /8 th grade, Gage Heide- man and William McEl- ligott, Miley Strzelewicz and Isabelle Ogden, and Phegley Padberg; finalist for plant agriscience entry, 9 th /10 th , Brionna Serrano. Top 10 information contest team: Isabelle Og- den, Novalee Campbell, Miley Strzelewicz, Gage Heideman, Olivia Ogdgen, William McElligott and Phegley Padberg. Serving as Ione dele- gates (senators of the chap- ter) were Carter Eynetich and Liam Heideman. “While the bus trip was long and kids are tired after four days away from home with early mornings and long nights, we have some motivated members and we are already planning for next year,” said Heideman. “We are also very apprecia- tive of Alison Ogden, who came as our chaperon.” The Ione FFA banquet will be held on Thursday, May 18, to recognize all of the chapter members who competed and participated in FFA events throughout the year. WWW.HEPPNER.NET Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription Spiritually Speaking Father Thankachan Joseph St. Patrick Catholic Church Heppner Are you living in the flesh or in the Spirit? The central theme of this week’s Scripture readings is the resurrection and the life. Life and death, hope and despair are the key phrases that sum up the message of this coming week. The prophet Ezekiel (37: 12-14) gives hope to his countrymen who are in exile in Babylon and are on the brink of despair. They seem dead, their temple is de- stroyed, their land is wasted, and they find themselves an enslaved people in a foreign land. The imagery is that of dead bodies—God opens their graves and makes them rise from the dead. Now, when God promised to put His Spirit within His people, this was not a reference to the resur- rection that awaits every soul on earth. It was a promise to give a new life to the people of Israel. While the Words of God appeared to imply a day of resurrection, in those days God’s mystery concerning death, being buried and rising with Christ had not yet been revealed to mankind. Paul’s letter to the Romans (8:8-11) reminds the Christians in Rome, who were undergoing all types of tortures and persecutions, that the power of God’s Spirit will give life to their mortal bodies. He implies that this new life is not something that will start only on the last day but is taking effect in their lives here and now, being purified through the effects of these tortures. For this reason, he encourages them to live now according to the Spirit. To understand this, it’s necessary for us to live, in the words of Paul, not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (8:8). Our version of today’s second reading translates “living according to the flesh” as being “interested in unspiritual things.” An example of that would be to have the goals of our lives bounded by things like prosperity, health, wealth, success. These things are not bad in themselves, but the gifts Jesus came to give us are infinitely better, more meaningful, more lasting. In the first place, Jesus gives us Himself. Then, with Himself, all that follows: the life of grace; freedom from sin; holiness and purity; goodness, and truth; divine wisdom and divine love; joy without end; eternal life. In the Gospel of John (11:1-45), again another lengthy passage for our reflections, we have the story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, symbolizing that “Jesus himself is the resurrection and the life.” This miracle leads us to believe in resurrection and new life that exists in Jesus through the Holy Spirit. The Gospel of John is also known as the Gospel of Signs, and the raising of Lazarus to life is one of seven signs. This sign is a preparation for the most powerful sign: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this chapter 11 of John, we see Jesus at the tomb of his friend: distressed, anguished, weeping. This is a sign and foretaste of His own passion, clearly imaged in the details of the burial cave with a stone over its entrance and in the burial cloths of Lazarus. The reaction of Jesus shows God’s response to our suffering is seen in Jesus: in His tears, His prayer, His grief, and in the horror of His own death. We may question why Jesus waited four days to come to Lazarus’s tomb. To answer this question, we need to understand the nature of God and His acts in our world. Jesus came not to rescue us from every affliction, every pain, every failure, every sorrow. Instead, He comes to redeem us from all that troubles us. Our Lenten practices are a spiritual exercise, for us to come out of our tombs where we are all buried. The tomb points to more than a place of burial. We have many tombs confronting us in life.... It may be frustrating experiences; the greatest tomb is that of sin. Our Lord came to liberate us not only from sin but its tomb, its mortal entanglement. From the tomb of Lazarus, we learn that sin not only brings about death, but it also imprisons us in some damnable tombs. I was reminded of the words of Paul’s letter to the Colossians: “You need to kill everything in you that is earthly; sexual vices, impurity, uncontrolled passion, evil desires, etc. (3:5).” Lunch & Dinner Menu Specials 3/23-3/30 Thursday- Steak Sandwich with side salad Friday- Popcorn Chicken Mashed Potato bowl Saturday soup is clam chowder Monday - French Toast, bacon, and 2 breakfast bars Tuesday - shrimp salad and breadsticks. Tuesday Night 6-9pm $2 hard shell tacos Wednesday- Turkey and ham sub, chips, and fruit.