Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, September 27, 2023 -- THREE
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Food For
Thought
I don’t know what to
eat. I’m not talking about
dinner. I mean like …for-
ever. Lately, I’ve been try-
ing to decide just how to
go about losing this extra
baggage I’ve been packing
around. I want my waist
back. I want my comfort-
able Wranglers back….and
my favorite flannel shirts. I
wanna sit and breathe at the
same time.
You know, a little
warning would have been
nice. Maybe somebody a
few years my senior could
have told me there would
come a time when sniffing a
brownie would add a pants
size. Sure, I’ve heard of
the “slowing metabolism”
deal. But nobody told me
it would eventually sit on
the sidelines smoking a
cigarette. Not fair.
I know some people
love food. They think about
it, plan for it, love trying
new tastes, love a great
restaurant, and actually
enjoy cooking. Not me…
never been a Foodie. Give
me a PB and J and choc-
olate milk for every meal
and I’m good. Just one little
problem. My favorite meal
has turned on me. What
used to be sustenance has
joined up with that stinkin’
lazy metabolism and now
I’m one sandwich away
from the moo-moo gang.
So, I figure since food
got me to this point…food
(or lack of) will get me
back. But…what to eat…
what not to eat…that is
the question. Ok, I know
the basics of the bad list:
sugar, preservatives, addi-
tives, bad fats…. anything
at Jack’s Mini Mart (thank
you EMS). But they keep
adding stuff to the list. Re-
member the “Staff of Life”?
Yeah…it’s on the bad list
now. Got gut aches? Bad
breath? Rash? Flat feet?
Got fired? Probably gluten.
Anything dairy is a no-no
and has been replaced by
“Nut Milk”. Seriously?
Who thinks of these things?
NUTS? Mention raw milk
and folks start backing
away, getting out the rub-
ber gloves and masks. Just
sad. They obviously don’t
appreciate the value of a
good udder.
Well, after much re-
search, soul-searching, and
prayer, I’ve finally figured
it out. Keto, Atkins, South
Beach, Noom, Nutrisystem,
Weightwatchers, Whale-
watchers…..whatever the
diet….I think I’ll pass.
Instead, I think I’ll go glut-
ton-free and just stop put-
ting so much in my mouth.
Oh…and my daughter
says to get my heart rate
up for at least 10 minutes a
day. I figure one ambulance
page-out per day should
suffice.
Just a note: Remember
the land flowing with milk
and honey? Well, I figure if
the good Lord used it as a
reward…it has to be good.
And while He did say we
shouldn’t live by bread
alone…He didn’t say to
dump it all together, right?
So far…. that’s bread, milk,
and honey. I know John
the Baptist added locust to
the mix but, he was a little
braver soul than I. And,
unless they were dipped in
chocolate, I doubt I could
get past the legs. Now I just
need to search The Word for
peanut butter and chocolate.
I’m sure it’s in there some-
where….
“Jesus answered, “It
is written: ‘Man shall not
live on bread alone, but
on every word that comes
from the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:4
Susie Crosby
Prineville, OR
Volunteers brighten
community space
Kylie Holden standing in front of new murual she helped
create in front of Willow Creek Community Learning Garden.
~ Contributed photo
Heppner residents may
have noticed that the once
blank wall on the backside
of Willow Creek Commu-
nity Learning Garden is
looking a bit more lively as
of late. The garden, which
is used for educational out-
reach and to provide pro-
duce for the food bank, has
been a work in progress
since its inception in 2021.
Andrea Nelson, who
owns Flood Town Books,
“manages the garden and
has had a clear vision since
the beginning stages.” “I
not only wanted to create a
community space for educa-
tion and outreach, but also a
place of beauty. I asked my
newly formed National Arts
Honor Society if they could
use some of their volunteer
hours to work on creat-
ing the mural on the back
wall,” explained Nelson.
Even though several
students initially helped
with the mural outline, one
student really embraced
the project and has made
it her own. Kylie Holden,
who is a 2023 graduate of
Heppner High School has
spent countless hours bring-
ing Nelson’s idea to life.
“Kylie has always been
an exceptional artist, but I
did not know that she had
such skill to create on such
a large scale. I am really
proud of the work she has
done and am excited to see
what else she will create
within our community,”
said Nelson
.
For community members
who have not had the op-
portunity to see the mural,
Nelson encourages people
to stop by and check out the
colorful work of art.
Good News Only by Doris Brosnan
Kit and Shirley George’s daughter, Kimberly, treated
her husband, Mark, to several first experiences this month.
Kim and Mark live in Wilmot, Illinois, and Mark was
raised in Marion, Iowa, so he was in for some new Eastern
Oregon opportunities when they came on September 8.
By the time they left on the 17 th , they had attended the
Dress-Up Parade, the Pendleton Underground, Pendleton
Woolen Mills, Happy Canyon, Bull-riding (joined by
long-time family friend Ty Arbogast), and the Pendleton
Round-Up (joined by Kim’s parents and Ann Schwarz).
Tasting Pendleton Whiskey was also a must. So much to
see and do, a repeat trip is already being planned!
On September 9, Ruth Maben’s family helped her
celebrate her 90 th birthday. Her home was a hubbub of
activity as thirty celebrants from Portland, Prineville,
LaGrande, and the local area gathered to honor their
matriarch. Ruth was pleased to have the five generations
of her family represented, the youngest four months old.
Last Thursday, a group of women gathered at the Elks
for their monthly birthday lunch. This month’s celebrant
was Diane Mullins, who was joined by 12 friends from
Ione and Heppner. This time, Karen Haguewood, recent
transplant to AZ, was visiting area friends and family so
was able to join the group. They again enjoyed the menu
prepared by Chef Heath, but they paused for several trib-
utes and a toast to Nancy Ekstrom, who recently passed
away and is greatly missed.
Royalty with roots in Heppner and Lexington: Last
Friday evening, Justus Counsell and Megan Joyce were
crowned king and queen of the Hermiston High School
homecoming. Megan is the daughter of Phil and Tina
Joyce, Hermiston, and granddaughter of Gary and Marcia
Kemp, Lexington. Justus is the son of Donita Counsell of
Heppner and Justin Counsell of Hermiston. Obviously,
impressive young man and woman with good roots.
On Saturday at 4 PM Gibson McCurry and Macken-
zie Heideman became handsome man and beautiful wife
on the grassy banks of the Columbia River. About 175
guests joined the couple in the Marine Park at Cascade
Locks, with Gibson’s uncle Todd Harrison officiating.
“Mackie’s” six attendants wore lovely forest-green long
gowns, which matched the ties of Gibson’s six grooms-
men in their black slacks and shirts. And those grooms-
men and Gibson had a great experience together as they
actually prepared the two pasta recipes and the salad that
were served at the reception - while the women “were
getting ready.” Following the buffet meal and traditional
toasts, cake-cutting, and dances, most everyone danced
away the rest of the evening. Mother-of-the-groom, Tif-
fany Clement, emphasizes that the support of the guests
and the wedding party was greatly appreciated. “The
kids’ attendants were such considerate, kind young peo-
ple, obviously, totally there for Gibson and Mackenzie.
Many happy tears were shed many times.” The couple is
now honeymooning in Mexico before returning to their
home in Roseburg.
Across the River from Cascade Locks on Saturday,
Logan Grieb and Kylene Briggs also recited their wedding
vows, as 160 guests showed their support. Adding to the
memory that this special day at the Wind Mountain Ranch
Estate will always hold is the fact that Logan’s father,
Ken Grieb, officiated. Kylene was raised in Medford,
and at OSU, she was friends with Kevin Murray and his
wife, Kellie, as was Logan. The two shared many hours
in a study group, seemed to feel from the start that they
belonged together, according to Ken, and four years later
have become Mr. and Mrs. Logan Grieb. All of Logan’s
five groomsmen were teammates from his time at HHS.
Kylene was attended by her sister, a college friend,
Kevin’s wife, and Logan’s two sisters. Ken reports that
the couple did a fantastic job of planning the wedding,
with the help of a wedding planner, down to the smallest
details, so it was a beautiful affair that included a recep-
tion into the night until 10 p.m. The young couple call
the Grieb farm “home,” and Kylene works and coaches
at Irrigon High School and Logan is in administration
at Umatilla Electric Cooperative, so a honeymoon has
been delayed.
After a not-so-successful vacation in Canada, William
and Neva Mahon decided to end the travel season with a
few days on the Oregon Coast. What could possibly go
wrong this time? Following that long drive to Seaside,
they were looking forward to relaxing in an ocean-view
room at the Shilo Inn. That didn’t happen. Seems their
reservation didn’t get entered into the computer system.
Even having a confirmation number did no good as the
hotel had no vacancy. So, the scramble was on. Neva
was beginning to think their vacation would become a
Portland weekend or maybe at some other Oregon beach.
Finally, a nice room was procured about a block from the
ocean, and the rest of their trip went smoothly enough.
The ocean was amazing, as it always is. And the fantastic
sand castles were still standing after last week’s festival.
Once again new friendships were made. However, they
are glad to be home for a while.
Kudos to Amanda Roy, PA with the Morrow County
Health District, for bringing to Heppner the first Free
Comprehensive Vision Screenings offered by OHSU
Casey Eye Institute. Amanda arranged for these screen-
ings in Wheeler County some years ago and hopes to
make the screenings that were held last Sunday a yearly
opportunity for this area. According to Paola Macias’s
report, offering support with the menus for the visiting
professionals were the Market, Murray’s, the Pizza Parlor,
and the Mini-Bakers. Hats off to All!
Reading about what has brought smiles to others’
faces must surely bring a smile to the reader, so please
think about spreading your smile by sending your item
to dbrosnan123@gmail.com or call 541-223-1490. That
is all it takes to add your good news.
Hope good news comes to everyone reading this
column.
Spiritually Speaking
Father Thankachan Joseph
St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wasco
Often in life we are given a choice to say ‘Yes’ or
‘No’ to people’s questions or requests to us. How do we
respond to the queries of people around us? When we
say yes to someone and their request we need to take the
responsibility that demands. So often people easily say
‘Yes’ when they mean ‘No’! It is easy to give and escape
from the request of someone who needs our helping
hand. The cost of our ‘yes’ comes later if and when we
honor or respect our words. Do we mean what we say?
Can someone take our words/ trust our response we give
to them? Are we people of our word, or are we merely
yes-men and women? Are we ready to substantiate our
word with deeds? Today’s scripture readings challenge
us to be people of our word.
The previous week we reflected the theme called “it’s
not fair.” The opening words of the first reading from the
prophet Ezekiel (18:25-28) start with “The Lord’s way
is not fair!” (25). Yahweh poses a question to everyone
is to answer are our behavior and ways living unfair or
the Lord is unfair? This question is personal, individual
responsibility for responding to God’s call to us. At the
time of the prophet Ezekiel, there was a belief that a child
was punished for the sins of his parents. Ezekiel didn’t
agree with this. He stated clearly and unambiguously that
each individual is answerable for his or her frauds, and
he or she alone will have to answer for them. We can’t
hide behind the goodness or evil of others. However, if
we sin, true sorrow will win us pardon and forgiveness
from God. Unless we accept accountability for our sins,
we will see no need to repent for them. If we confess
our sins we have nothing to fear but trust in the mercy
of God. Ezekiel thus reminds us of the constant need for
conversion, which is not a one-time experience but has
to be experienced constantly.
Today’s gospel reading from Mathew (21: 28-32)
narrates a parable which is found only in Mathew alone.
The parable of the two sons the Evangelist is trying to
explain the different operanti mode of these two sons
towards their father. To drive the point home he poses
the dilemma in the form of a parable of the two sons,
who are called upon by their father to work in his vine-
yard. One responds, “No, I will not go!” but afterwards
thought about it and changed his mind and went to work
in the vineyard. The other immediately said, “Yes, I will
go.” But did not go and work in the vineyard. Jesus now
poses the question: “Which of the two sons did the will
of the father?” The Pharisees admit that the first son was
the obedient one. Jesus then applies it bluntly to their
own response to God. “Tax collectors and prostitutes are
making their way into the kingdom before you.”
The parables of Jesus were meant to intrude his listen-
ers and make them think about their lives. Jesus wanted to
confront the Jewish religious leaders and accuse them of
not doing God’s will. He further enraged them by saying
that John the Baptist, whom they would not accept, was
an example of true righteousness or conformity to God’s
will. Jesus was not holding either of the two sons us as
an ideal. We are called to be sons and daughters of the
Father who immediately respond with a ‘Yes’ to God’s
call and immediately do what he asks of us. Christianity
is not a matter of saying the right prayers or following
the precepts of the Law. Our actions have to witness to
the God in whom we believe in and the faith we profess.
Sin does not necessarily imply doing something wrong.
The greatest sin is not to do good: the sin of inactivity,
of doing nothing. The parable teaches us that promises
can never take the place of performance, and fine words
can never take the place of fine deeds. The Lord’s parable
continues to probe the Pharisee in our hearts today.
Jesus was always upset with the Pharisees because
of their favorite defense system of the law. They had
always some particular precepts or other principles that
could always be found to justify escaping the painful
demands of reaching out to the needy/doing charity. We
ourselves would have to admit using some excuse or an-
other not justify our actions: ‘I am too busy right now…
come on another occasion…, we are not allowed to do
that.. the boss is out at the moment and I cannot take a
decision…that’s not my responsibility…what would the
Bishop think...this is a dangerous precedent….we don’t
know where this will end.’ To conclude our reflections;
Today’s readings speak about two paths: One leads to
sadness, isolation, impotence, rage - and death. The other
path leads to purpose, communion, serenity, power - and
life. We naturally want our young people and all of us to
choose the second path - the one that leads to life.
FREEDOM.
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