Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, June 28, 2023 -- THREE
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Doherty clan
to celebrate
triumph and
tragedy at
reunion
The Doherty’s came to
America with determina-
tion in the late 1800s and
early 1900s. They home-
steaded or purchased more
than 35 ranches, first raising
sheep, but soon they were
growing wheat and raising
cattle.
Family members will
visit many homestead sites
at the Doherty Family Re-
union this Saturday. At least
three have 100-year farm
designations, including the
Turner Ranch, the Anthony
Doherty Ranch and the
Miller Ranch.
In addition to acquiring
land holdings in the Sands,
Blackhorse, and Vinson
areas, the family created
a legacy of community
service with seven women
teaching in the schools,
young women winning the
rodeo courts, both men and
women serving in the mili-
tary, and a few responding
to religious callings. Rev
John “Jack” Doherty was
ordained in 1953 as a Cath-
olic priest.
Numerous families
have hosted the Heppner
St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
These and more family
members will be remem-
bered.
But among all this suc-
cess, there were many trag-
edies. Nora Doherty Mc-
Cabe and her son drowned
in a flash flood in 1917.
Ebner Nelson sent his wife
Catherine Doherty and their
son James to Pendleton just
before he was killed in the
Bannock Indian War up-
rising. Open fires in Butter
Creek burnt several homes
to the ground.
Although a success-
ful businessman, in 1907
Daniel P Doherty got into
a brawl at the IXL Saloon
in Lexington, resulting in
a death. Receiving a life
sentence, he was released
in 1911.
Family members were
quick to volunteer. But
again, tragedy struck when
William T Doherty was
killed in a tractor acci-
dent in the construction
of St. William’s Catholic
Church in Ione, which is
now named in his honor.
A stained-glass window in
the church carries on his
memory.
Today, the family con-
tinues to serve and lead
the community, with Jim
Doherty recently declaring
his candidacy for Oregon
State Senate.
The Dohertys and ex-
tended family members
will gather at the Pendleton
Convention Center with
an opening luncheon on
June 30 and ending with a
lamb barbecue at the Cun-
ningham Sheep Company
on Birch Creek on July
3. For more information,
visit http://www.doher-
tyreunion2023.com or call
303-350-8226.
Eileen and Roger
Doherty
Denver, CO
Biden’s
Wonderland
Customarily, when a
parent expresses pride in
their child, it’s usually fol-
lowed by a statement or two
about a particularly good
job they did and some ku-
dos for their success.
Recently, in response to
a question from a reporter
about his son and the recent
plea deal involving activi-
ties for which any normal,
non-Hunter person would
acquire a jail sentence, our
president stated: “I’m proud
of my son.”
That would have been
a great time for follow-up
questions like, “What for?”
or as I would have so elo-
quently asked, “Seriously?
Why? Did he recently win
an award like maybe on a
woman’s swim team? Or
maybe expose himself on
the White House lawn?
Because remember, Mr.
President? Those folks are
the bravest people you’ve
ever known.”
Did I miss something?
Was there a press con-
ference starring a tearful
Hunter Biden where he ex-
pressed regret about his past
activities involving crack,
videos and young girls? Has
he agreed to stop consorting
with the enemy? Has he
shown any repentance for
anything…ever?
Maybe a chip off the
old block. It appears re-
pentance is a rarity in the
Biden family. I’m trying to
remember if I’ve ever heard
Hunter’s dad take responsi-
bility for even the slightest
mistake. Granted, pride is
a problem we all deal with.
But then, his memory is
about as accurate as The
Enquirer’s expose’ of Tom
Cruz’s alien offspring. So
maybe he just doesn’t re-
member the mistakes he
made. When others do, he
has a great response lined
up. “Come on man,” and
“Malarkey.” Add a hand
wave and both mistakes and
lies magically disappear. So
that’s how it’s done.
But it seems like there
are some things you’d get
right, even in the company
of your favorite woke re-
porters—like, for example,
the fact that your son Beau
wasn’t killed in Iraq. Sad-
ly, he died of brain cancer
years after serving in the
military. But I wonder…
does Biden really think no-
body will notice or maybe
do some fact-checking?
So, it appears that
Biden has lost the ability
to either tell the truth or
recognize the truth, or both.
He also can’t recognize the
sad fact that his second son
is not exactly a fine example
of a human being. I doubt
too many parents would
like to hear their kids say,
“When I grow up, I wanna
be just like Hunter Biden.”
Gives me chills.
While living in Won-
derland might be fun to
think about, it’s pretty con-
cerning when the leader of
the free world lives there.
The last thing this country
needs is the Mad Hatter
with his finger anywhere
near “The Button.” Lord
help us. Is there forgive-
ness for Hunter Biden?
Most certainly. But it has to
follow sincere repentance.
I think it would help if
parents would stop trying
to protect their kids from
the consequences they’ve
earned.
“Whoever conceals
their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses
and renounces them finds
mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).
Susie Crosby
Heppner, OR
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Good News Only by Doris Brosnan
Maybe it’s a good day when able to keep feet on the
ground and hats on heads, and to successfully maneuver
among the detours!
The Sykes family held its annual reunion last week
with all family members present: David and April of
Heppner; Chris and his wife, Rachel, with their two
children, Waylon and Sophie, also of Heppner; Andrew
of Pendleton; Camille and Eddie Gonzales and their son,
Oscar, of Milwaukie, OR; and Allison Hayes with her
husband, Matt, and their two boys, August and Sebas-
tian, of Cary, NC. They rented a house in Lincoln City,
close to the beach, where they spent time that included
clamming and having a bonfire with s’mores on the final
night. Each evening one of the family members prepared
dinner, with Camille doing Mexican, Allison and Matt a
seafood spread, Andrew salmon and ravioli, and Chris
and Rachel Italian spaghetti. (How wonderful for all that
everyone was there!)
After Bryce Fowler completes two more classes this
summer and passes his oral examinations, he will receive
his master’s degree in science and math education from
Oregon State University. This is reason enough for Bryce
to feel rewarded for his accomplishments. Add to that be-
ing one of only 35 nation-wide Knowles Science Teaching
Foundation Teacher Initiative recipients, and Bryce must
surely be ecstatic! The foundation, a nonprofit, supports
innovative mathematics and science teachers with $5000
awards for a period of five years. Bryce’s complex appli-
cation process included an all-day interview. As a recip-
ient, he will be attending an orientation in Philadelphia
this summer. In September, Bryce will return as a teacher
to Condon High School and use the funds to enhance his
classroom plans.
Last Thursday, Dennis Peck did it again at Willow
Creek Country Club when he made a hole-in-one on
number 4, witnessed by several thirsty golfing buddies!
Luckily, Dennis didn’t make his ace on the weekend when
around one hundred men were golfing at WCCC at the
annual invitational tournament. Celebratory beverage pur-
chases would have created a very large financial burden!
An almost seamless transition should be the story
at Heppner City Hall as Tom Wolff steps in as interim
city manager. How fortunate for the community to have
someone local with the experience and background that
Tom brings to the position.
This week, St. Patrick and St. William Catholic
Churches said “goodbye” to Fr. Joseph Thankachan as
he headed for his new pastoring assignment in Wasco,
Dufur and Grass Valley. And the Heppner and Ione con-
gregations then welcomed Fr. Alexander Kalappurakkal,
who comes to Heppner from Redmond.
Glo Lesperance is now a first-time great-grand-
mother! Glo’s granddaughter, Amelia Baker, and her
partner, Cameron Jewett, welcomed Cheyenne Elizabeth
Rose on June 21 at Good Shepherd Hospital. A wee bit
earlier than expected, Cheyenne still weighed 6 pounds,
4 ounces and measured in at 21 inches. Amelia, daughter
of Sarah Baker of Heppner, is a familiar face at the Bank
of Eastern Oregon, but will be home with Cheyenne for
several weeks.
Although the email address is P ODonnell, Dennis
O’Donnell has stepped forward to take credit or blame
for the “little bit of humor to start your day” that arrives
sporadically. His sense of humor shines through, and he
says (picture him with tongue in cheek) that for some
reason that he doesn’t understand, Peggy’s sense of humor
has dwindled after living with him for over 50 years!
Indicative of a change: The excitement elicited by the
sighting of not one but two bumble bees within days of
each other. Gone are the days of hollyhocks clustered at
the northwest corner of Gale and Baltimore Streets with
bumble bees hovering among them. Rare seems to be the
sighting of these robust flying pollinators, which explains
the excited reaction.
On July 30, the Rebekah Lodge in Lexington will
hold bingo and a silent auction as a fundraiser for Dick
Temple, who has been hospitalized far too much, we
think, this past month and was scheduled for heart sur-
gery in Spokane on Monday. So, mark calendars for this
worthwhile event, which will be co-sponsored by the
First Christian Church. It will begin at 2 p.m., with bingo
beginning about 3:30 p.m.
Please take a few minutes to contribute your pleasant
news at dbrosnan123@gmail.com or by calling 541-223-
1490.
Here’s hoping that some good news comes to every-
one reading this!
Woman dies in fatal UTV
accident
A 61-year-old grand-
mother from Sublimity, OR
is dead after a tragic UTV
accident near Ellis Creek
Sunday.
Morrow County Sher-
iff’s Office reports that,
around 1:05 p.m. on Sun-
day, June 25, the MCSO
Communications Center
received a 911 call regard-
ing a Utility Terrain Vehicle
(UTV or side-by-side) ac-
cident with a 61-year-old
female.
The accident occurred
in a remote area of South
Morrow County, off the 21
Road near Ellis Creek.
The Lulay family ap-
parently has been coming to
this area for family camping
trips for many years. On
Sunday, several friends and
family members were rid-
ing ATVs, UTVs and mo-
torcycles, following each
other through the forest.
Lulay was reported-
ly traveling less than 20
mph on one portion of the
road when the UTV she
was driving overturned.
Her nine-year-old grand-
daughter was also in the
vehicle. The granddaughter
sustained reportedly minor
injuries but was transported
to a Portland-area hospital
for overnight observation.
Lulay lost her life in
this UTV accident.
“The Morrow County
Sheriff’s Office wishes to
express our deepest condo-
lences to the Lulay family.
Our thoughts and prayers
are with you all at this dif-
ficult time,” MCSO stated
in a press release.
The sheriff’s office also
stated that the incident is
a sad reminder to always
wear a seatbelt in a UTV,
as well as a helmet, calling
those steps “A very small
price to pay to avoid a
tragedy.”
MCSO was assisted by
Heppner Ambulance and
Heppner Fire.
Spiritually Speaking
Father Thankachan Joseph
St. Patrick Catholic Church Heppner
God Loves a Cheerful Giver
“Give and it will be given to you,” (Lk 6:38) is a
promise from Jesus. Giving is a freewill choice for all His
believers, but let us never forget the fact that “God knows
the heart of everyone.” He knows when gifts, whether
material or spiritual, are given joyfully.
In Sunday’s reading in Second Kings 4:8-11, we have
an interesting incident of hospitality and its implications.
During the days of Elisha, those who travelled beyond
the territory of their family or tribe for anything had to
depend on the hospitality of strangers to survive.
In his travels, Elisha is fortunate to meet a woman
who invites him to break journey and eat at her house.
The hospitality must have been good because Elisha then
makes it a habit of stopping at her place on his travels.
Trusting that Elisha is a holy man and knowing that he
travels regularly, the woman, with the permission of her
husband, builds a little comfortable abode so that Elisha
can have his own room on his travels. Elisha repays the
woman’s generous hospitality by promising her a very
special blessing from God: the gift of a son, whom she
was longing for because they were a childless couple.
This anecdote teaches us that what we give to God and
God’s representatives always come back to us. We are
also challenged to be hospitable to others, to move from
suspicious hostility to hospitality. We never know what
blessings God has in store for us if we open ourselves to
God, who may come to us in the attire of an alien, in a
most unexpected way.
The Gospel passage this week is from St. Matthew
10:37-42, wherein Jesus assures us that all those who
receive His word and welcome those who come in His
name will be well rewarded. Even the tiniest gesture, the
smallest action done for God, will not pass unnoticed and
will be acknowledged by God. We are called to be wel-
coming people, open to His word and open to messengers
of His word. In the sacred tradition of Israel, hospitality
was regarded as one of the chief responsibilities of a
caring people.
The stranger, the outsider, was regarded as one
needing special care. The Israelites are reminded of their
duties towards strangers because they too were once
strangers: “For you were once strangers yourselves in
the land of Egypt” (Exodus 22:21). Everybody wants to
be loved by other people, to be needed by other people,
to be desired and longed for by other people. All Jesus
is asking us is to be good followers who are hospitable,
and who will be greatly rewarded – a promise that God
loves a cheerful giver.
In the first part of Sunday’s Gospel according to Mat-
thew, Jesus spells out the cost of discipleship, while in the
latter part, He reminds us of the great reward not only to
heralds of the good news, but also to all who welcome
the envoy. While speaking of what it takes to be a disciple
of the Lord, Jesus does not mince His words. Jesus did
not promise us a good time or a comfortable existence.
To follow Jesus is not easy and not for the faint-hearted.
Self-denial, sacrifice, self-discipline, austerity, and as-
ceticism are not fashionable words today. Yet the Gospel
tells us clearly that anyone who is not ready to practice
self-denial and accept the crosses of daily life is not wor-
thy of being called a disciple of Jesus Christ.
At times we can be great admirers of Jesus but be
hesitant to follow His example in daily living. Jesus
doesn’t want lip service. The Gospel of Matthew explains
it vividly: “It is not anyone who says to me. ‘Lord, Lord,’
who will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the person
who does the will of my Father in Heaven” (7:21). That
is quite demanding of Jesus.
As we reflected last week, we are affected by all sorts
of fears that tend to paralyze us. As we read and hear the
daily news, surely, we get a bit panicked now and then.
Then in our relationship with God, we tend to act out of
fear rather than out of love for God. God created us to live
in freedom and He does not want us to be intimidated.
We are challenged: “Be not afraid!” “Give and it shall
be given to you.”
I r t h r I g h t
Birthright of Morrow County offers
post-abortion
support. Help, Hope
and Healing. Call
and talk to someone
who cares.
Support Group to begin September 2023
Call for more information 541-676-0530
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