Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 31, 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. Hospital staff professional, compassionate I am writing this letter to the residents of Heppner to give praise of your med- ical staff at your hospital. During our camping trip, our granddaughter came down with a fever which wasn’t controllable with over the counter medica- tion. We made the decision to take her to your hospital for help. The medical team at your hospital was abso- lutely wonderful, profes- sional and compassionate, looking out for our grand- daughter’s wellbeing. All their diagnosis and treat- ment were spot-on, which was stated by the medical team at OHSU Doernbech- er children’s hospital. Dr. Mark Stevens knew exactly where she needed to go for her care and took action. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the names of all the nurses, CNA, phlebotomy or dietitian on Saturday. I do know I appreciate their care, compassion and pro- fessional help taking care of our granddaughter. The town of Heppner has a great medical staff that is appre- ciated by the Hamilton and Amundson families. Derek Hamilton Hermiston, OR Wrong I don’t like to feel ill to- ward my fellow man. It puts me in a bad mood. So, when I think about the opinions of certain people, I really do try to understand. Though my first response may be, “What an idiot,” my ma- ture and compassionate side eventually takes over and I try to put myself in their place and view their opinion from a different perspective. Sometimes I can see where they’re com- ing from. Maybe it’s a lack of education, information or understanding. Sometimes I still think they’re idiots…. Or maybe just plain evil. But there’s another is- sue that seems to be a major factor. Nobody wants to be wrong. It seems like a large part of the human condition is the need to fight for the satisfaction of being right… even if it means scraping for excuses, using bad reason- ing and arguing in circles. Pride is a tough competitor. Some folks are wrong because they don’t par- ticularly want the truth… because if they knew the truth then they’d be ex- pected to act on it. They’d rather wander around pre- tending to be right…and expecting others to cater to their delusions. It’s kind of like walking around in the dark and hoping you won’t get hurt. Seriously…use the light switch…or at least a flashlight. You may not like what you see, but at least you’ll know what you’re dealing with and won’t end up needing an EMT. Honestly, it’s ok to be wrong. It’s just not ok to stay wrong. That’s where the problem really lies. Most people aren’t gonna punch your lights out for being wrong. But sticking to your guns when you’ve had the truth pointed out might cause some trau- ma…and some relationship fatalities. Sad deal really. Might be good for all of us to practice saying the words, “Oh, I was wrong.” Throwing in an, “I’m sor- ry,” might also be fitting… depending on our attitude and actions back when we weren’t so enlightened. And forgiveness is always a good thing, whether it’s forgiving yourself or the other guy…especially when it follows humility. To be clear, being wrong is different than being a liar. Liars know they’re wrong; they just don’t care. They know the truth but choose to ignore it because 1) They don’t think they’ll get caught, and 2) They don’t think there will be any consequences. Someday they’ll see they were wrong on both ac- counts, hopefully before it’s too late. God is watching. He even sees what’s on Hunter’s laptop and who’s on the Epstein List. I doubt He’s surprised. Bless the one who has the ability to admit when they’ve messed up, be- lieved a lie, or just been stupid...even at the risk of eliciting some flak from some “I told you so” type folks. I’d take a humble Mr. Mistake-maker over a prideful Pete Perfect any day. Because forgiveness and wisdom are just a prayer away. And besides…. Pete probably isn’t so perfect anyway. Just ask his wife. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). Susie Crosby Heppner Oregon Boardman Farmers Market underway The Boardman Farmers Market kicked off its season Monday at the SAGE Cen- ter. The market will meet weekly on Mondays from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. through Sept. 4. The first Monday of every month will be the Farmers market Fiesta. The third Monday of the month will be the Grow Your Community Event, with local organizations on hand to fundraise and offer information on local assistance programs. Products available at the market will include goat cheese, jerky, bowl cozies, jams and jellies, freeze-dried candy, dream catchers, tumblers, Paper Pie books, sweet treats, and more. Good News Only by Doris Brosnan MaryAnn Elguezabal is surely joined by many others in her appreciation of the work the cemetery crew has been doing. She points out, for example, that John Healy has been especially busy weeding, which has contributed to what she believes: “The cemetery might be looking the best I have ever seen!” Jan Huddleston recently lingered at the “Groshens Spring” and realized that it was developed 100 years ago, 1923! Now encased in a basalt-stone structure, the natural spring was an early-1900 watering hole across from the rodeo field at which settlers and cattlemen stopped to water their saddle horses and teams as they arrived from Hinton Creek. Victor Alexander Groshens arrived from France and signed on as a stone mason to work on build- ing the new courthouse in 1902. After completion of the courthouse in 1903, Groshens decided to use some extra stone at the popular spring and rest area to construct the attractive structure with an arch opening. This column is left with the question: Does anyone know why the spring water is not running? As usual, the Moyers came from Montana and Spo- kane—Bruce, Diane, Randi, and Chip—on Memorial Day Weekend. The foursome stayed at the RV Park at the res- ervoir, paid their respects at three cemeteries, and enjoyed several visits with Diana Ball and other schoolmates. Darrell and DeeDee McLachlan included a visit with Kit and Shirley George in their one-day stay in Heppner last Friday. The McLachlans were long-time Heppner residents who now live in Pendleton. Loyal Burns of Ione took his 12-year truck project to the Echo car show last Saturday, and he came home a winner! Loyal’s ’54 Chevrolet cab-over won the People’s Choice Award, a great distinction at this annual show that had over 100 entries this year! Another changing of hats coming up in July. Madi- son Rosenbalm will be leaving Heppner Elementary at this school year’s end, and she will be the new Heppner Chamber of Commerce Member Services and Events Director. We are invited to stop by to welcome her. Best of luck, Madison! Congratulations to the Mustang competitors at the State Track Meet last week in Eugene! The girls’ team earned a second-place standing by the end of the meet, and individuals placed well: The 4x400 relay team took second—Ariana Worden, Lily Nichols, Irelynn Kollman and Hallee Hisler. Hallee was also first in the 200, second in the 400, and fourth in the 100; Lily was fifth in the 800, fourth in the 1500, and fifth in the 300 hurdles; Irelynn placed sixth in the 1500, and Arianna placed eighth. The boys 4x400 relay team placed fourth—Jacob Finch, Trev- or Nichols, Owen Cunningham and Hayden McMahon. Jacob also took sixth in the 800; Trevor placed fifth in the 400, second in the 1500. These accomplishments resulted in the boys placing eighth in the tournament. Peggy O’Donnell recently sent another group of hu- morous diddies. One of them: A policeman stopped me and said, ‘You were going too fast.’ I replied, ‘I was just trying to keep up with the traffic.’ He said, ‘There isn’t any!’ And I explained, ‘I know! That’s how far behind I am!’ Sharing your smile could set the entire day’s mood, for yourself and our readers. Please send your upbeat tidbit to dbrosnan123@gmail.com or call 541-223-1490. Here’s hoping that some good news comes to every- one reading this! Quarterly chamber luncheon July 13 The Heppner Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly luncheon is planned for Thursday, July 13, from 12-1:20 p.m. at the Gilliam and Bisbee Event Center. Lunch will be catered by Alvin Liu of Happy Pappy Catering and will be teriyaki bowls and dessert for a cost of $15. The luncheon will in- clude presentations by Yuri Madrigal and Tony Wendel of the Oregon Employment Department (OED)/Work- source Oregon. Madrigal is currently part of the OED Eastern Oregon Business Service Team covering Morrow and Umatilla counties. She serves as a resource for businesses to promote employment and resolve employment-related needs. She works to connect target populations with job oppor- $449,000 This 2,471 sqft home and two lots totaling 13.12 acres could be the perfect property to keep your horses and livestock. Pasture and dry land. Tax ID 5378 and 8939. Selling as-is. MLS#: 23292049 62886 HIGHWAY 74 - Ione WWW.HEPPNER.NET Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription tunities. Wendel is an OED Workforce Analyst. He works to provide labor market information to em- ployers on a one-on-one, customer-driven basis, often through gathering and delivering information on recruitment, skills and wage issues. He also assists and educates employers on electronically accessing la- bor market information and labor exchange systems. Chamber members are invited to present regarding their services or projects at future chamber luncheons. Contact the chamber for sponsorship information. Pre-registration is re- quired for the event. At- tendees are asked to RSVP for the quarterly luncheon by Tuesday, July 11, at heppnerchamber@gmail. com or 541-676-5536. 177 N. Main P.O. Box 337 Heppner, OR 97836 Chris@sykesrealestate.net Broker Chris Sykes 541-215-2274 Spiritually Speaking Father Thankachan Joseph St. Patrick Catholic Church Heppner Holy Trinity: Ideal for Family Life This Sunday, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. We believe in the Triune God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit—three distinct individuals having different functions to fulfill. “Holy Trinity” explains the plurality of godhead and the one-only God. When I think of explaining the dogma of the Trinity, St. Augustine’s experience comes to mind: Augustine was walking on the seashore studying how to comprehend and explain the Holy Trinity. An angel appeared in the form of a little lad playing on the seashore, trying to dig a hole and filling a shell from the shore with the water. Augustine watched as the child went back and forth several times. Augustine approached and asked what he was trying to do. The boy said, “Trying to fill that hole with the ocean.” Augustine said, “You’ll never fit the ocean in that hole.” The boy said, “Neither will you be able to fit the Trinity into your mind.” Split the word “Trinity.” “Tri” means three, and “unity” makes God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit one. Search for “Trinity” on the internet, we will see an equilateral triangle—all three sides equal, with three interchangeable corners—our God-in-three-persons is the same. This is how I as a child came to understand “Trinity.” In Scripture, Holy Trinity is Triune—three but one. From the first letter of John: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (1 John 5:7). Scriptures present God as one, Co-eternal, Co-existing, Inseparable. This is difficult for our human minds to comprehend. God is, in fact, beyond all comprehension and understanding. We can only speak of the “Trinity” with analogies and allegories. St. Patrick used the Shamrock—a trifoliate leaf—to explain the Trinity to the people of Ireland. The Solemnity of the Holy trinity teaches us that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are inseparable, and this scriptural passage describes their unity: “But when the Comforter comes, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me” (John 15:26). We need to acquire this communion for our family life, as well as for the society in which we live. We need to uphold every- one with respect and enrich them by our ways of living and we need to become models after the example of the Trinity. We need to pray daily that this Trinitarian unity may prevail in our families. We are created in love to be a community of loving persons, just as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are united in love. In a new family formed through the sacrament of Marriage, this uniqueness of the Trinitarian God begins to exist. Two people come together to live in intimacy, their conjugal love brings into the family children who also have their own identities and individualities, but everyone begins to appreciate, love and forgive one another. That is a Trinitarian family. How privileged we are to grow up in such a beautiful family, belonging to the Family of the Triune God. The love, unity and joy in the rela- tionship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit should be the supreme model of our relationships within our families. Our families will become truly Christian when we live in a relationship of love with God and others. We read in the book of Genesis that, “God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Gen.1: 26). Modern society follows the so-called “I-and-I” principle of unbridled individualism and the resulting consumerism. But the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity challenges us to adopt an “I-and-God-and-neighbor” principle: “I am a Christian insofar as I live in a relationship of love with God and other people.” Man is a social animal needing the model of the Trinitarian relationship to see mutual love, care and affection for one another. Each person’s individualities are respected. No one is a hindrance to any- one and there is perfect union. Our human relationships should be built in this pattern. Like God the Father, we are called upon to be productive, creative persons con- tributing to the building up of the fabric of life and love in our family, Church, community and nation. Like God the Son, we are called upon to reconcile, be peacemakers, restore that which has been broken, shattered. Like God the Holy Spirit, it is our task to uncover and teach truth and dispel ignorance. Lunch & Dinner Specials 6/1 to 6/7 Thursday: Sweet and Sour Chicken, fried rice, and egg roll for $9. Friday: Sausage, scrambled eggs, and hash- browns for $9. Saturday: Salad will be a Grill chicken cucum- ber craisin salad for $10. Monday: 1/4lb burger topped with a fried egg and ham and a side of fries for $9. Tuesday: BLT with turkey and avocado with a bag of chips for $9. Tuesday night: 6-9pm $2 hard shell tacos Wednesday: Pulled pork sandwich, beans, and coleslaw for $9 Live Music June 10th HUNTER EDUCATION CLASSES OFFERED Classes start Tuesday, June 13th, & Thursday June 15th, 6-9 pm Field Day the 17th 8am to noon. Classes Tuesday the 20th and 22nd 6-9 pm. at the Lexington Gun Club. To sign up go to myodfw.com Must sign up on line. https://myodfw.com/articles/hunter-educa- tion-classes-field-days. Contact Instructor, Jim Marquardt at 541 969-4845. if questions.