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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 29, 2023)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 29, 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. Worse than diverse Many people are talking about how divided our country is and how we all need to unite. So, I’ve come up with a great plan, and I think it will work. Let’s make a huge deal out of a particular trait, like someone’s skin color, expect special treatment, call people names that don’t agree with us and create politically correct terms like Inclusion, Diversity and Equity. Be sure to say them often enough that peo- ple will stop questioning their validity. I’m sure that won’t cause any division or hatred. And just think of the opportunities for creating victims…a definite win/win for Social Justice. I can just see the suc- cess. “Team, we have a new player today. This is Mike and as you can see, he has red hair. There will be a few changes I’d like you all to remember. Mike will be in our starting lineup. He is fairly new to the game, so I will expect you to help him as much as possible. Now, if Mike is injured during practice, we will take this as a serious and deliberate offense due to his red hair, and the whole team will be punished. “Also, Jeremy, we’ve just learned that, before you were born, your grandpa punched his grandpa in the nose, so you will need to give Mike your new football. Mike is also the leader of the Red Power club and I need to remind you that this is a red-head- only club. Also, please make Mike feel welcome by encouraging him to join any club of which you’re a member. Coach Woke is out recruiting more redheads right now because we need more redheads on our team. Remember, anyone using the term ‘Ginger’ will be benched immediately… unless, of course, you are a redhead.” Seriously, I thought we were supposed to be kind to everyone, including redheads. Black, white, red, short, tall…it’s what’s in- side that counts. Didn’t we learn this in kindergarten? And if you hate me because I’m short, does that make it OK to hate you because you’re tall? How silly is that. Pretty sure I’m sup- posed to forgive you, even though I may be a tad bit jealous of your ability to reach the top shelves. Now there is something called “stereotyping” that needs to be addressed here. This is an entirely different matter and sometimes very necessary. For example, if a tall blond smacks you in the face every time she walks by, especially if you’ve never known any other tall blonds, it would make sense that you duck when any tall blond walks by. It’s called using your brain for safety’s sake. And if someone dress- es like a gangster and tats up his face, he shouldn’t be surprised when people don’t invite him to their tea party. Most folks dress to make a statement. Wear Tony Lama’s and a Stetson and you’re saying you’re a cowboy (or wanna be). Wear Speedos and a bike helmet and you’re saying you love cycling (and pain). Sport a beard, a tutu and logger boots and you’re saying you need profession- al help. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, for- giving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Susie Crosby, Heppner, OR Morrow County organizations benefit from Good Shepherd grants Several Morrow Coun- ty organizations are among those receiving grants from the Good Shepherd Com- munity Health Foundation (GSCHF), the foundation announced this week. Willow Creek Park District is receiving fund- ing to repair the pool and building, Irrigon Jr./Sr. High School is receiving funds to turn the old gravel track into two grass prac- tice fields, Riverside Jr./Sr. High School Track & Field will use the grant to replace outdated and unsafe track equipment at Riverside and Boardman Fire Rescue District is getting funding to purchase an airway training mannequin to provide nec- essary hands-on training. GSCHF distributed spring grants in the amount of $99,065 to organizations in West Umatilla and Mor- row Counties. Funding in West Umatilla County will be used to update and repair the restrooms at Funland Soccer Fields, purchase new bases and installa- tion hardware for Umatilla High School Softball, and build a sportsplex at Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, among others. Grant funding is made possible by planned giving and community support according to Liz Marvin, GSCHF Executive Direc- tor. “Because we live in an area where the culture is to make our communities bet- ter, residents consistently give to the health founda- tion,” said Marvin. “The next grant cycle will close on July 31, and we encour- age nonprofit organizations to apply for funding.” To apply for a grant by July 31, submit a form at https://www.gshealth.org/ awards. With questions about grants, email Liz Marvin, GSCHF Execu- tive Director, at lmarvin@ gshealth.org or contact her by phone at 541-667-3419. For more information about GSCHF, visit https://www. gshealth.org/foundation. Morrow SWCD to meet Morrow SWCD will meet Tuesday, April 4, be- ginning at 6 p.m. at the Ag Service Center in Heppner. To join via Zoom or con- ference call, please contact the SWCD beforehand at 541-676-5452. Meetings of the Morrow SWCD are open to the public. Good News Only by Doris Brosnan What an honor, Julie Proctor Baker! Julie has been recognized and honored by the Rural Community Builders of Oregon for her strong involvement with our community: “Julie is a bright light in her small town and to all who know her. She’s always taking time to recog- nize others.” Julie is never too busy with her work at the OSU Extension and her Jack Rabbit Candle Company to include volunteerism and time for friends in her busy days. Congrats, Julie! With a Heppner connection and living just about 50 miles north, Dalton Massey recently added to his year’s earnings as a professional steer wrestler by winning the competition at Rodeo Houston, which ended on March 20. Dalton’s mother, Shawn, attended school in Heppner, the daughter of Sid Britt. Dalton has improved his world standings consistently since first placing in 2018, and last year he totaled wins in the Columbia River Circuit Finals, Red Bluff Roundup, Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo, Redding Rodeo, and Crooked River Roundup. Definitely a name to watch for. Spring break = local students free from the classroom, college students home to visit family and friends, busier times on the Oregon coast (and distant party locations), and, of course, cooler, wetter weather… And how much madness has there been in “March Madness”?! Patrons of the Heppner Library will miss Cori Jo Lindsay’s friendly, helpful assist after next week. Cori Jo will be leaving the library and heading for the BMCC campus. She has been working on an associate’s degree via long-distance classes and now enters a new phase of her pursuit, attending classes in Pendleton. Next year, she expects to continue work toward a four-year degree at one of two possible universities. Best of luck, Cori Jo! Story Time at the Heppner Library continues on Tues- days. All young people and their adults are welcome to join the 11 a.m. gathering each week for an entertaining story. Congratulations, John and Jana VanderBrink of Ione for being awarded the Oregon State FFA Service Award! Being nominated for this prestigious award by all four Morrow County FFA organizations is indicative of the VanderBrinks’ strong support of their programs, including at the Morrow County Fair animal auction and the back- pack program that the organizations sponsor each fall. The Holly Rebekahs continue to sponsor their Bingo games on the last Sunday of each month. This fundraiser always includes a tasty meal offering, some tasty prizes, and some pretty inexpensive hours of entertainment. Next month, Lexington, last Sunday, 3 p.m. for food, 3:30 for play. 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 dbros- nan123@gmail.com or call to 541-223-1490 will do it. Here’s hoping that some good news comes to ev- eryone reading this! Neighborhood Center bag sale April 5 The Neighborhood Center is having a bag sale on Wednesday, April 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 441 N Main Street, Heppner. The first bag purchased is $15, while a second bag is a discounted price of $5. Bags can be filled with items for the entire fami- ly—clothing, shoes, books, games, music and movies. All other household mer- chandise is 50 percent off that day only. Proceeds from the sale help fund the food pantry and other emergency assis- tance programs. Zinter receives fire department promotion Spiritually Speaking Father Thankachan Joseph St. Patrick Catholic Church Heppner “Hosanna to the son of David” With the blessing of the palms, we enter Holy Week celebrations. Palm Sunday reminds us of the solemn entry of Lord Jesus into Jerusalem, the place of peace, to estab- lish peace and harmony. “The crowd who went in front of him and those who followed him were all shouting, ‘Hosanna to the son of David!’ Come and save us from our pathetic and pitiful conditions (Mt 21:9). This Hebrew word, hoshi’a na, is translated as (h) osanna in Greek; in English, it is known as hosanna. The original biblical dictionaries of the scripture describe it as “Save!” It is viewed as a plea for help. I am sure we have all gone through a tough time when faced with the COVID epidemic. Like the crowd who followed the Lord shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” or like the disciples in the boat who cried out, “Master, don’t you care that we are about to die?” (Mk. 4:38), when we face a troubled sea and storm, do we shout out like the people of His time shouted out? Let us say this little soothing and comforting prayer: “Hosanna to the son of David, Lord come to our rescue.” Like Psalmists, together say, “Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success” (Psalm 118:25). The Gospel of Matthew chapter 21 begins with Jesus entering a village called Bethphage, which means “house of unripe fruits.” We can clearly see from the name that the souls in this town were suffering from deficiency: they are unripe. Jesus with compassion came not only to undo the power of that tree and replace it with the tree of redemption—namely, the Cross of Calvary—but also to raise the donkey (our soul) from being unripe to being ripe and fit for the harvest. When Jesus and His disciples near Bethphage, Jesus sends two of His disciples to untie a tethered ass and a colt and bring them to Him. The untied donkey represents humanity untied from sin. The donkey tied to the tree represents humanity tied to the Life of Jesus. We, the young and the old, are to tie to the tree of Calvary, the cross, for our salvation. Why did Jesus choose to travel on a donkey (and its colt) someone may ask? Palm Sunday reminds us of an important thing: unlike the other kings of the world, Jesus is coming on a mule. This king is different from the worldly kings. He shows us the example of humility. We cannot even think of any king who marches on a donkey. The donkey stands for humility, simplicity, ignorance, diffidence, docility. This Holy Week invites us to answer this question of the Lord: Can you be a donkey for me this Palm Sunday? Can you take me to the cities and towns shouting and yelling Hosanna to the son of David? It asks each one of us to humble ourselves from our own style of living to his style of life. Matthew 21:1-11 starts on a triumphant note, the celebration of a victory parade. Parades and processions have always been part of worship in Jewish and Chris- tian tradition, and they were a normal way for people to acclaim the victories and triumphs of their heroes and heroines. When the parade is over, the heroes fade away and are forgotten. Jesus, whom we acclaim in today’s victory procession, will momentarily fade into His passion and death, but then He will rise again and live on. What is worth noting is the attitude of Jesus as He is about to enter into the final phase of His life: He enters the city boldly and fearlessly, though He knows that He will meet His end there. He meets His opponents openly as He triumphantly enters Jerusalem. This Holy Week invites all of us to answer this ques- tion of the Lord: “Can you be a donkey for Me this Palm Sunday? Can you take Me to the cities and towns shouting and yelling ‘Hosanna to the son of David’?” To be a donkey for the Lord, what are all the things I need to leave aside? Lenten observances and practices invited every one of us to introspection and getting rid of those things that make us boastful, arrogant and non-car- ing. Scripture says, “The greater you are, the more hum- bly you should behave, and then you find favor with the Lord.” (Sir. 3:18). Then Hosanna will be accomplished in our lives, too. annual easter egg hunt Saturday, April 8 th Morrow County Fairgrounds 9:15 a.m. Pictures with Easter Bunny 10:00 a.m Easter Egg Hunt Starts Heppner Fire Chief Steve Rhea presents Katilyn Zinter of Heppner with her new badge and helmet Monday evening. Zinter was promoted this week from firefighter to training officer/lieutenant of the Heppner volunteer fire department. -Contributed photo Katilyn Zinter of Heppner received a well-deserved pro- motion this week, according to the Heppner Fire Department. Zinter was promoted from firefighter to Training Offi- cer/Lieutenant. Heppner Fire Chief Steve Rhea presented Zinter with her new badge and helmet Monday evening. Over the last two years, Zinter has dedicated many hours volunteering at the fire hall. In 2021, she undertook the task of writing and im- plementing the department’s standard operating procedures. In November of 2022, Zinter organized the volunteer fire department’s first-ever in- house Firefighter 1 Academy for new recruits. She has also been the primary teacher of the academy. The Firefight- er 1 academy provides new firefighters the practical and cognitive training needed to operate safely and effectively on the fireground. The training includes classes on most Mon- day nights and one Sunday a month. “As a valued member of the Heppner Fire Department, the whole team appreciates Katilyn’s hard work in making us a volunteer fire department Heppner can be proud of,” said a statement on the depart- ment’s Facebook page. Age groups: 0 thru 3, 4 thru 6, 7 thru 9, and 10+ Each group will be spaced 5 minutes apart
