7:2+HSSQHU*D]HWWH7LPHV+HSSQHU2UHJRQWednesday, December 06, 2023
7KH2൶FLDO1HZVSDSHU
of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow
Heppner
GAZETTE-TIMES
U.S.P.S. 240-420
Morrow County’s Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper
SEARCH OLD COPIES OF THE HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES ON-LINE:
http://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/
Published weekly by Sykes Publishing and entered as periodical matter at the Post
2൶FHDW+HSSQHU2UHJRQXQGHUWKH$FWRI0DUFK3HULRGLFDOSRVWDJHSDLG
DW+HSSQHU2UHJRQ2൶FHDW10DLQ6W7HOHSKRQH )D[
676-9211. E-mail: editor@rapidserve.net or sykeschris@hotmail.com Web site:
www.heppner.net. Postmaster send address changes to the Heppner Gazette-Times,
32%R[+HSSQHU2UHJRQ6XEVFULSWLRQV,Q0RUURZ&RXQW\\HDU
Outside Morrow County $40/year. In County Senior Rate (65 years or older) $30/
year. 9 month Student student subscriptions $35/year.
Chris Sykes ...............................................................................................Publisher
Annalynn Black ............................................................................................ Editor
Cindi Doherty.........................................................................................Advertising
All News and Advertising Deadline is Monday at 5 p.m.
For Advertising: advertising deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. Cost for a display ad is $5.50 per
FROXPQLQFK&RVWIRUFODVVL¿HGDGLVSHUZRUG&RVWIRU&DUGRI7KDQNVLVXSWR
ZRUGV&RVWIRUDFODVVL¿HGGLVSOD\DGLVSHUFROXPQLQFK
For Public/Legal Notices: public/legal notices deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. Dates for publi-
FDWLRQPXVWEHVSHFL¿HG$I¿GDYLWVPXVWEHUHTXHVWHGDWWKHWLPHRIVXEPLVVLRQ$I¿GDYLWV
UHTXLUHWKUHHZHHNVWRSURFHVVDIWHUODVWGDWHRISXEOLFDWLRQ DVRRQHUUHWXUQGDWHPXVWEH
VSHFL¿HGLIUHTXLUHG
)RU2ELWXDULHV2ELWXDULHVDUHSXEOLVKHGLQWKH+HSSQHU*7DWQRFKDUJHDQGDUHHGLWHGWR
meet news guidelines. Families wishing to include information not included in the guidelines
or who wish to have the obituary written in a certain way must purchase advertising space
for the obituary.
)RU/HWWHUVWRWKH(GLWRU/HWWHUVWRWKH(GLWRU0867EHVLJQHGE\WKHDXWKRU7KH+HSSQHU
*7ZLOOQRWSXEOLVKXQVLJQHGOHWWHUV$OOOHWWHUV0867LQFOXGHWKHDXWKRU¶VDGGUHVVDQGSKRQH
QXPEHUIRUXVHE\WKH*7RI¿FH7KH*7UHVHUYHVWKHULJKWWRHGLWOHWWHUV7KH*7LVQRW
UHVSRQVLEOHIRUDFFXUDF\RIVWDWHPHQWVPDGHLQOHWWHUV$Q\OHWWHUVH[SUHVVLQJWKDQNVZLOOEH
SODFHGLQWKHFODVVL¿HGVXQGHU³&DUGRI7KDQNV´DWDFRVWRI
Obituaries
Sandra Marcene Blake
Sandra Marcene Blake,
R I
Heppner,
d i e d ,
Monday,
Novem-
ber 20,
2023,
at her
home. A Memorial Mass
will be held at 1 p.m.,
Thursday, December 14,
2023, at St. Patrick Catholic
Church with refreshments
following at the Parish Hall.
She was born on December
23, 1942, at Heppner, the
daughter of Paul Warren
and Gladys Johnson Jones.
Sandra was raised and at-
tended school in Heppner,
graduating from Heppner
High School in 1961. She
raised three sons: Shawn
Blake, Shane Blake, and
Nicholas Blake in Maple
9DOOH\:DVKLQJWRQ$IWHU
her sons were grown San-
dra moved to the Tri-Cities
and lastly moved back to
Heppner where many of her
friends and classmates are
still living. Sandra was a
member of St. Patrick Cath-
olic Church. Sandra was a
devout Catholic and prior
WRKHU¿JKWZLWKGHPHQWLD
she enjoyed volunteering at
whatever church event was
occurring at the time. She
KDGDVSHFLDOD൵HFWLRQIRU
those struggling with ad-
diction. Sandra made life-
long friends wherever she
went. Her friends note her
kind heart and infectious
laugh. Survivors include
her 3 sons, Shawn, Shane,
and Nicholas as well as 2
granddaughters and a cher-
ished niece and nephew.
Sandra was preceded in
death by her parents, Paul
and Gladys Jones as well
as her brothers,
Gary
Jones and Ray Jones, and
multiple beloved aunts and
uncles. Memorial contribu-
tions may be made to Safe
3URMHFW :DVKLQJWRQ
Blvd, Box #101734, Ar-
OLQJWRQ 9$
https://www.safeproject.
us/donate/
Sweeney Mortuary is
in care of arrangements.
<RX PD\ VLJQ WKH RQOLQH
condolence book at www.
sweeneymortuary.com.
Hermiston man dies
in car accident near
Boardman
A Hermiston man died
early Tuesday morning in
an accident on Interstate
LQ0RUURZ&RXQW\7KH
Oregon State Police re-
sponded to a two-vehicle
FUDVKRQ,QHDUPLOHSRVW
DURXQG DP 7KH
preliminary investigation
indicated a westbound Kia
Sorrento, operated by Sam-
uel Burgus, 33, of Umatilla,
ZDVVORZHGLQWUD൶FGXHWR
a detour related to another
crash. As the Kia slowed
and prepared to merge into
the slow lane, a Dodge Ram
1500, operated by Miron
Kosovan, 23, of Kenne-
wick, Wash., failed to slow
for traffic and struck the
rear end of the Kia in the
fast lane. A passenger in
the Kia, Alexander James
Pace, 36, of Hermiston, was
YOUR AD
COULD BE
HERE!
Submit Ads
heppner.net
Call
541-676-9228
Email
graphics@rapidserve.net
We also offer
design and
printing services
Heppner Gazette-Times
Sykes Printing
declared dead at the scene.
Burgus, the operator of the
Kia, and a passenger, Oscar
6DQFKH]VX൵HUHGPLQRU
injuries. A fourth occupant
RI WKH .LD /LREDOGR 9LOOD
Campos, 36, of Hermiston,
suffered critical injuries.
The operator of the Dodge,
Kosovan, was assessed
for injury on-scene. The
highway was impacted for
approximately three hours
during the on-scene inves-
tigation. The investigation
is ongoing. The OSP was
assisted by Boardman Fire,
the Morrow County Sher-
L൵¶V2൶FHDQGWKH2UHJRQ
Department of Transpor-
tation.
Spiritually Speaking
Father Thankachan Joseph
St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wasco
35(3$5(7+(:$<
FOR THE LORD!
In the season of Advent, the church extends the call
of John the Baptist, the messenger/herald of the Savior,
to repent and confess our sins in preparation for the One
who is to come. We are familiar with announcements that
inform us that something is going to happen, or something
is expected to take place. For example, in airports and
railway stations, we hear announcements of the arrival/
departure of a plane or a train that we are waiting for.
If the person for whom we are waiting is very dear to
us, that announcement doubles our joy and excitement.
This Sunday’s readings bring tidings that God is coming
soon. Do we believe it or not? Do we look forward to His
arrival? Are we prepared to welcome Him?
The prophet Isaiah (40:1-5, 9-11) assures the
people of Israel comfort and solace. Isaiah reminds the
people of Jerusalem to prepare the way for the Savior/
Messiah, urging them to cut down the mountains created
RIMHDORXV\HQY\HWFWR¿OOWKHYDOOH\VRIEURNHQUHOD-
WLRQVKLSVZLWKORYHD൵HFWLRQDQGFRQFHUQIRURQHDQRWKHU
The Israelites are asked to prepare in the wilderness a way
for the Lord. Therefore, they should not wait passively
for things to happen but should be active and vigorous
in preparing for the coming of the Lord. The preparation
is not an external preparation but a preparation of the
KHDUWDQGDUHPRYDORIDOOWKDWGRHVQRW¿WLQZLWK*RG¶V
coming. The message is to us: Make a freeway for the
Lord to enter our hearts.
7KH*RVSHORI0DUN KLJKOLJKWVWKHOLIHDQG
lifestyle of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for
the coming of the Lord. His role was to announce the
coming of the Messiah, he was the voice crying out in the
wilderness, “Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths
straight.” The message was one of repentance, proclaim-
ing a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
He invited everyone to change and repent and experience
a conversion of heart. John had a dynamic impact on the
people. They came forth in large numbers to be baptized
by him and they showed readiness to change and come
back to the Lord. What does it mean to prepare a way for
the coming of the Lord today? Where do we seek God
DQGZKHUHZLOOZH¿QGKLP"
John the Baptist’s message was for all ages. What
was John’s message?
John preached condemnation. He preached the actual
fact of that time, condemning the people as “vipers,”
poisonous because of their living situations: addictions,
depression, anxiety, etc. They had allowed themselves to
be poisoned and were poisonous to others. They were sick
and disaster-prone, and they were biting others, making
them sick and dooming them.
John preached repentance. Those who approached
KLPIRUEDSWLVPKHWROGWR¿UVWUHSHQWDQGWKHQSURGXFH
fruit. And the fruit must be worthy, consistent with re-
pentance – fruit that shows a changed heart and a turning
away from sin.
John preached against pride. John urges us to get rid
of our pride. The Pharisees felt that the righteousness of
their forefathers saved them. How they lived mattered
very little. Similarly, we can think “I have godly parents,
I have been baptized, I am better than so many, I belong
to the church and attend church activities regularly, etc.”
John preached social justice. Do we reach out to the
one who needs help and assistance? John told the people
to share surplus food and clothes with the starving and
the naked. To the class, he said not to rob the people,
just collect what they are entitled to and no more. To the
people in power, he said, “Do not abuse your power. Do
not intimidate people or use violence against them.”
John preached the Messiah’s coming. “I baptize you
with water, but he with the Holy Spirit.”
We are all invited to make some sort of changes for
the reception of the Lord during this Christmas time. We
are urged to go straight, namely, to give up dishonest,
crooked, and sinful ways and to walk the path of integ-
rity, honesty, and truth. We don’t have to do great things
to walk the straight way, even in the simplest and most
RUGLQDU\ RI WDVNV ZH FDQ ORRN IRU *RG ¿QG +LP DQG
serve Him. Don Bosco would say doing the little things
in an extraordinary way.
A VIEW FROM THE HILL
By Doris Brosnan
November at Willow Creek Terrace ended on Floss
Watkins’s birthday celebration at which she and her neigh-
bors were joined by eight guests. Everyone viewed her
choice of ribs and twice-baked potatoes as an excellent
one. And they enjoyed her German chocolate birthday
cake for dessert.
Then, it was time to start focusing on Thanksgiv-
ing dinner, which was going to present some challenges
this year, since the Terrace was (and still is) without
NLWFKHQVWD൵$GPLQLVWUDWRU/HDQQ/DQNIRUGFUHGLWVPDQ\
kind hearts and capable hands for the excellent traditional
turkey dinner that was served: Joyce Ward’s daughters,
Joey Munkers (who took charge of the turkey), Steve
Lankford, Makayla Silvia, Angelina Hammons, Stacie
Osmin, and Dean Gillette from the hospital team that
had come earlier to work on the Terrace’s boiler and
learned of the short-handed situation, who volunteered his
wife’s great rolls for the dinner, and she came through!
Administrator Lankford is hugely appreciative. This is
true also of her reaction to the several residents’ families
who have continued to donate menu items to the Terrace
to help with the stressful situation. In fact, Lankford calls
WKHVWD൵DQGIDPLOLHVVWHSSLQJXSWRKHOS³ZLWKWKLVFULVLV´
WUXO\D³WHDPH൵RUW´DSSUHFLDWHGEH\RQGZRUGV/DQNIRUG
DOVRR൵HUVD³KDWVR൵´WRQHLJKERU'DQQ\6KDUSZKR
ZDVUHFHQWO\FDOOHGE\DVWD൵PHPEHURQHHYHQLQJZKHQ
smoke seemed to be emanating from one of the ovens.
Sharp rushed up, discovered the problem, and took control
of the situation. (Maybe it is “Murphy’s Law” controlling
WKHVWD൵VKRUWDJHWKHQRZXQXVDEOHRYHQDQGDZDVKLQJ
machine that apparently needs to be replaced? One silver
lining is the new refrigerator that was to be delivered yes-
terday.) Lankford is searching for a kitchen coordinator
and is also holding the door open for new residents for the
three available apartments. Interested persons should stop
by or call 541-676-0004. December will feature several
activities in addition to the weekly routine events. Tonight
is the evening for decorating the Terrace common area
and halls and putting up the tree. Christmas carols, soup,
rolls, cookies, and hot chocolate will add to the festive
evening. Someone rediscovered a favorite game that has
now been brought out, so this Friday, participants will
be enjoying the Horseracing Game. A new activity that
KDVVHYHUDOUHVLGHQWVDQGVWD൵ZRUNLQJRQWKHLUUHÀH[HV
is the batting about in a circle a balloon, - to keep it from
WRXFKLQJ WKH ÀRRU VKRUW SLHFHV RI ZDWHU ÀRDWV FDOOHG
“noodles.”
On the 10th, Jerry Conklin, chaplain at Morrow
County Hospice, will lead those in attendance in a church
service. On the 13th, they will be creating Mason-jar
centerpieces for the tables, in time for a cheery touch at
the Christmas-sweater cocktail party on the 15th. And just
two days later, Kathy Turner will return with her students
who will perform piano and vocal selections, much to the
joy of the residents. Another birthday celebration on the
20th will surely mean something special on the menu as
Ginger O’Brien, the youngster among the residents, will
be welcoming her 76th birthday. The next day, residents
will be invited to help decorate Christmas cookies for
everyone to enjoy. And the 22nd will be a laid-back
day, recognized as “PJ Day.” So, everyone can remain
in jammies all day if they so choose. Christmas will be
celebrated according to the traditions long-established at
the Terrace, so everyone will surely be on best behavior
through December in order to make Santa’s “good list.”
The last scheduled activity for December will be on the
27th when residents will be working on a tea-light proj-
ect, and the results to be taken to their apartments. As
WKH\ORRNDKHDGWR'HFHPEHUUHVLGHQWVDQGVWD൵RQWKH
Hill view the variety of events and the opportunities for
visitors with pleasure, always willing to try something
new and to meet someone new!
WWW.HEPPNER.NET
Sɲɟɪɦɱ1ɢɴɰ$ɡɳɢɯɱɦɰɦɫɤ
$ɫɫɬɲɫɠɢɪɢɫɱɰ
/ɢɱɱɢɯɰ7ɬ7ɥɢ(ɡɦɱɬɯ
6ɢɫɡ8ɰ3ɥɬɱɬɰ
6ɱɞɯɱ$1ɢɴ6ɲɟɰɠɯɦɭɱɦɬɫ
Morrow County Compensation Board
Morrow County has three vacancies to start
on January 1, 2024
%RDUG·V3XUSRVH
The Compensation Board annually reviews the compensation
RI&RXQW\(OHFWHG2൶FLDOVDQGE\PDMRULW\YRWHUHFRPPHQGV
a compensation schedule to the Board of Commissioners.
The Board shall consist of members who are knowledgeable
in personnel and compensation management. Members
are appointed to four-year terms. If you are
interested in serving, please visit https://www.
co.morrow.or.us/bc-cb and send application to
HR at lgrogan@co.morrow.or.us
217 North Main St.,
Heppner, OR
Phone 676-9158 Floral 676-9426
murraysdrug.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm • Sat 8am-6pm • Sun 9am-2pm
Pharmacy- Mon-Fri 9am-6pm