Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 27, 2023)
+HSSQHU*D]HWWH7LPHV+HSSQHU2UHJRQWednesday, December 27, 2023 7+5(( ~ Letters to the Editor ~ Good News Only by Doris Brosnan 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 YHUL¿FDWLRQDQGZLOOQRWEHSULQWHGLQWKHQHZVSDSHU/HWWHUVPD\QRW 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 ZLOOEHSODFHGLQWKHFODVVL¿HGVXQGHU³&DUGRI7KDQNV´DWDFRVWRI (PDLOWRHGLWRU#UDSLGVHUYHQHWRUXSORDGWR+HSSQHUQHW One minister asked at a Christmas celebration, ³:KDW GLG \RX *,9( WKLV &KULVWPDV"´$ TXHVWLRQ WR which many people have lengthy answers: While respect- ing their wishes to remain anonymous, we can still shout RXWD³+DWVR൵WR\RX´WRWKHWKRXJKWIXOLQGLYLGXDOVZKR H[WHQGKHOSLQJKDQGVWRRWKHUVE\FRQWULEXWLQJ¿QDQFLDOO\ to their expenses at Columbia Basin, City of Heppner, Market Fresh, Murray’s, Les Schwab, Grain Growers…. It IS a wonderful world of kind people! The Heppner ))$%DFNSDFN3URJUDPSURYLGHVEDFNSDFNV³¿OOHGZLWK non-perishable, child-friendly and nutritious food to chil- dren who are food insecure. The backpack is discretely distributed to students before weekends and school hol- idays so that children who have their nutritional needs met through other programs, such as the National School Lunch Program, do not go hungry when those resources are not available.” This Christmas, the students added RAKs (random acts of kindness) to about half of their thirty backpack families, families “who could use a little extra cheer and support” by providing hams or turkeys DQGDOOWKH¿[LQ¶VDQGSUHVHQWVWRJLYHWKHPDOLWWOHSLFN me-up. Family members may not realize that their greatest gift to their parents and grandparents is their presence, more than their presents. The gift of time together. And the little ones do not realize what a gift their entertaining enthusiasm is! As heard in the midst of one gathering of four generations: “Wow! Everyone is here!” …. “Yes, and we haven’t even had an argument!” Diana Ball was one such fortunate mom/grandma/friend who celebrated Christmas with a full house, with son Duane’s family – he, wife Stephanie, daughter Alison, and sons Carter and Jacob and friend Gabby – daughter Andrea Fletcher’s family – she, husband Andy, and sons Casey and Cody – and friends from Moses Lake, Dave and Diana Dollar- hide. This writer’s holiday celebration is an extended one, as the Salem family came last Friday to celebrate until Sunday, and the other family plans to come to Heppner for a brief stay on Saturday. In the meantime, gracious friends, the Clements and Harrisons, extended a dinner invitation for Christmas Day. On the other hand, Claudia Hughes is hoping that her daughter, granddaughter, and sister did not get her cough as a gift when they were with her and Merlin for Christmas. Jan Stroeber reports that her family had a wonderful Christmas, “but oh, the house is so quiet this morning!” (A statement often heard about town after families head back home.) And her wish to the GT readers is for a “happy new year; hope that it is loaded with good health and fun times.” Nancy Anderson says that she and Allen spent Christmas in Elgin at her son’s with all three of her kids and their families. Great to all be together! “Woke up to snow on Tuesday morning.” Claudia and Merlin Hughes had a surprise phone call from Portland on Tuesday morning, from a couple who live in the home that William and Kathleen Hughes – Merlin’s JUHDW JUDQGSDUHQWV ,ULVK DQFHVWRUV ZKR ¿UVW VHWWOHG LQ Heppner in the late 1800’s – built in Portland a few years EHIRUHWKH+HSSQHU)ORRG0HUOLQDQG&ODXGLD¿UVW discovered this house with only an old photo and a phone call from a friend. When next in Portland, they found the house with “Hughes” in front, in concrete with carriage tie-downs for horses. “So, bravely we climbed the many steps to the front door and knocked. (It took some doing to convince Merlin to knock on a stranger’s door, but so worth it!) We have enjoyed staying in contact with the couple who invited us in and had been researching all the past owners.” The Mrs. said we were an answer to her prayers! “There was even a picture of the Hughes family on the landing of the curved stairway, which included Merlin’s dad when he was a little boy.” Good News to VKDUH",WRQO\WDNHVDFRXSOHRIPLQXWHVGEURVQDQ# gmail.com or call 541-223-1490. Here’s hoping that good news comes to everyone reading this! FAIRY TALES When I was a kid, I had a bit of a love-hate re- lationship with fairy tales. On one hand, what little girl (and more…. apparently, these days) doesn’t love the thought of going to a ball in a sparkly dress and ZHDULQJ PDJLF VKRHV" 2U who doesn’t want to wake up to a handsome prince af- ter hanging with a bunch of IXQQ\ORRNLQJVKRUWGXGHV" But I have questions. I mean that prince was tak- ing a pretty big risk with Cinderella’s shoe. And se- riously, Snow White…... did it even cross your mind to wash an apple given to \RXE\VRPHJURVVROGODG\" And don’t get me started on Hansel and Gretel. I mean «'LDEHWHV"+HOOR"6RPH fairy tales are still being told today….like “Our Bor- ders are Secure” and “Our Economy is Great”. Those are good ones. Well, this time of year, the baby Jesus is getting some attention. Joseph, Mary, shepherds, and some wise men are too. I’ve seen some beau- tiful Nativity Scenes and I love the fact that folks are actually giving Jesus some thought. But I wonder.... how many put Him away with the Christmas lights and don’t think of Him DJDLQXQWLOQH[W\HDU"6RLV the whole Joseph and Mary traversing afar thing a fairy WDOH" 'R WKH\ GHVHUYH WKH same billing as Santa and KLVHOYHV",I\RXGRDOLWWOH UHVHDUFK , EHW \RX¶OO ¿QG out there was a real, “his- torical” Jesus who walked the earth, was born in Beth- lehem, raised in Nazareth, performed miracles, and had thousands of followers in short order. His birth announcement even made a sitting king so nervous that he proclaimed an edict that cost a lot of baby boys their lives. That evil king took the threat of the Jewish “king” seriously. The fact that the disciples died for their faith in Him speaks volumes to me. While you may die for a lie that you don’t KNOW is a lie, nobody dies for a lie they know is a lie. All those men had to do was say “wait…I was wrong” and they could have most likely saved their lives. But they knew the truth. They knew Jesus. And they knew their suffering and their death would be worth it. There are plenty of accounts other than the Bible that speak to the truth of the real Jesus… and that he was who He claimed to be. Yes….and they never found the body of the “man on the middle cross”. If you think it’s all a little far-fetched…think of this. Have you ever seen an DWRP"$UHWKHUHWKLQJVWKDW exist that you have never VHHQZLWK\RXUQDNHGH\H" Do you need proof that they exist or do you take it by faith because you can see and feel the results of their H[LVWHQFH"6R\RXFDQORRN for all the proof you want, or you can pray to the one that made a huge stir 2000 years ago and changed the world. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. You’ll be VXUSULVHGDWZKDW\RX¿QG It will change your heart…. and your life. “You will VHHNPHDQG¿QGPHZKHQ you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 By Susie Crosbey from Prineville Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. As a young man, my political ideology was molded in the 1980’s when President Ronald Reagan (Republican) and Speaker of the House Tip O’Neal (Democrat) would joust with their words and thoughts for America. Every day it would play out on the evening news…conviction with ci- vility. History later told how these two leaders, after work hours, would sit down and just plain talk. They grew to become friends. While their polit- ical visions could not have EHHQ PRUH GL൵HUHQW WKH\ shared a common love: America. For way too many folks, 2023 has been a year of anxiety, tension and dis- sension. Neighbor upset with neighbor. “Us ver- sus them.” For those who perceive that they have been wronged, wrath can- not come quickly enough. Recall, ethics complaints, gossip and unseemly social media posts unfortunately will be part of our collec- tive history. Let’s change this in 2024. Let’s be slow to ac- cept gossip. Let’s seek to understand, then to be understood. Let’s commit ourselves to sitting down and having a conversation ZLWK WKRVH ZLWK GL൵HUHQW views. A good joust with words and thoughts is healthy. Let’s do it with conviction and civility. Representative Greg Smith District 57 BMCC Honor Roll fall term 2023-24 Pendleton – Blue Moun- tain Community College fall term 2023-2024 honor roll recognition went to the following full-time stu- dents: President’s List for Mor- row County: 3.75 - 4.0 GPA: Cindy Agripino, Jessica Altamirano, Wyatt Browne, Chad Doherty, Sanyana Felipe, Chanel Gonzales, Jasper Hardy, Samantha Howard, Tony Jimenez, Trinidad Mendoza, Belen Ponce, Caelyn Pullen, Eri- ka Rodriguez Coria, Hum- berto Sanchez, Victoria Schenk, Cynthia Wenberg, and Mayra Wightman. Vice President’s List for Morrow County: 3.5 to 3.74: Ana Barajas, Lainey Claybrook, Audrey Guen- ther, Sadie Hasbell, Karensa Jones, Jacob Lentz, Juliana Magana, Juliet Montes, Ivo- nne Navarro, Noah Reaves, and Sariah Thomas. Vice Presidents List for Gilliam County: 3.5 to 3.74 Grace Claugton $380,000 6KHULৼ¶V5HSRUW 0&621RY2൶FHUV were advised of a Burglary occurring on Se Thomas Ave in Irrigon, the report- ing party advised at least 5 people in his attic that managed to get through a crawl space, reporting party requested contact. -Officers received a request for a welfare check for the reporting party’s husband, occurring on Wag- on Wheel loop in Irrigon. The reporting party left the home after they be- JDQ ¿JKWLQJ DQG WKH PDOH was throwing things in the home, she is worried about what he may do. There were no weapons in the home and make has never had any suicidal tendencies, she is just worried not feeling comfortable to return at the moment. MCSO responded. -Officers received a request for a welfare check occurring on Alpine Ln/ Bombing Range Rd, in Lexington. The reporting party states there was an older female walking on Al- pine Ln carrying a number of bags. Female appears to be gesturing as if she was talking to herself. She was wearing bright pink t-shirt and blue jeans with blonde hair. MCSO responded. 2൶FHUVZHUHDGYLVHG of a burglary occurring at Vadata Pdx 178 on Bomb- ing Range Rd in Boardman. The reporting party is one of the amazon security guards and came across a kicked in door on site. The reporting party can see some footprints inside and is requesting a deputy responds to help him walk through it. MCSO and BPD responded. Broker Chris Sykes 541-215-2274 $395,000 NEW LISTING Discover peace and seclusion on this expansive forty-acre parcel boasting a fully functional two-bed- room, one-bathroom cabin. Embrace the breathtaking views of the mountains from the upper level’s reverse OLYLQJVTXDUHIRRWJUHDWURRP,QWKHVXPPHU explore the property’s ATV trails, while in the winter, delight in t snowmobiling or sledding with access to thousands of acres of National Forest Land located at the property’s corner. LOP tags may be available for hunting enthusiasts, or simply relish in the opportu- nity to observe the abundant wildlife that frequently visits the property, including elk, deer, bear, and turkey. Enjoy the convenience of a private well with DEDFNXSYDOYH¿OOHGFLVWHUQWZRQDWXUDOVSULQJV electricity, and internet access, ensuring utmost com- fort and connectivity. 80439 Black Mountain Ln Heppner MLS#:23425595 $275,000 375 W Union Ave, Heppner 9.09 ACRES Secluded mountain property! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to own your own mountain property. Whether you’re looking for a hunting retreat or a permanent residence, this property has it all. With approximately 9.09 acres of land and a private pond you can embrace the beauty of nature and create a life of serenity in the mountains you’ve always desired. MLS#:23510132 $26,000 7KLVVLQJOHIDPLO\KRPHVSDQQLQJVTXDUHIHHW boasts a spacious dining room and living room along with a family room 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms and lots of storage. Situated in a peaceful neighborhood, it is conveniently located close to the swimming pool, high school, baseball park, and downtown area. The property sits on a large lot with street access, with lots of parking and also features a shop. Large covered deck, patio and a carport. The total land area is 0.25 Acres.MLS#: 23224220 $259,000 Lot For Sale For sale: Prime commercial lot on Main Street, Heppner, Oregon. Property presents a golden opportunity to establish your presence in a vibrant community. Embrace the potential and seize this chance to make your mark in Heppner, Oregon. Act now and turn your visions into reality. Main St MLS#: 177 N. Main P.O. Box 337 Heppner, OR 97836 Chris@sykesrealestate.net NEW LISTING Broker Chris Sykes 541-215-2274 Price Reduction A beautifully remodeled 2-story home in Heppner. This spacious residence boasts approx 2,400 square feet of space, featuring 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. This house has undergone extensive renovations, with almost everything being brand new. New dry wall, SDLQWÀRRULQJEDWKURRPVNLWFKHQZDWHUKHDWHU ZLQGRZV60DLQ6W+HSSQHU0/6 177 N. Main P.O. Box 337 Heppner, OR 97836 Chris@sykesrealestate.net Broker Chris Sykes 541-215-2274
