+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