Early G-T deadline for
Christmas, New Year
50¢
VOL. 144
NO. 50 8 Pages
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon
Veterans luncheon held at new Heppner
Innovation Hub
Twenty-five attend inaugural event
This year, Christmas
and New Year’s Day both
fall on a Wednesday. Since
Wednesday is our normal
publication day, the Hep-
pner Gazette-Times will al-
ter its schedule and publish
on Tuesday, Dec. 24, and
Tuesday, Dec. 31.
If you’d like to submit
an advertisement or story
for either issue, please en-
sure it is sent in by 5 p.m. on
Friday, Dec. 20, or Friday,
December 27.
Heppner council hears
update from WCVEDG
By Andrea Di Salvo
specifically, the Heppner
Willow Creek Valley area.
Economic Development
“We are using the mon-
Group has been quietly ey. We’re not sitting on it,”
busy this year, keeping said Coil. “Hopefully we’re
momentum in projects from making a difference to a lot
housing to childcare.
of people.”
That was the update
Coil said WCVEDG
Kim Coil gave the Heppner has several priorities, in-
City Council at its Dec. 9 cluding housing, business
meeting. Coil told the Hep- enhancement, senior ser-
pner councilors that Willow vices, childcare services
Creek Valley Economic and community enhance-
Development Group (WC- ment.
VEDG) takes seriously the
In response to the
stewardship of the money chronic housing shortage
it receives.
in South Morrow, Coil said,
“We believe that these the group is trying to im-
funds have a large impact prove housing accessibility
Twenty-five veterans attended the first veterans’ luncheon at the Heppner Innovation Hub last week. -Contributed photo
on our community,” said and availability.
On Wednesday, Dec. helped fund the event. contact Jerry Conklin at da Kendricks through Coil.
One way they accom-
“This event has been South Morrow County the Morrow County Vet-
11, veterans gathered at
For example, Colum- plish that is through hous-
the new Heppner Innova- a long time coming,” said Seniors Matter or Aman- erans Services Office. bia River Enterprise Zone ing rehabilitation grants,
tion Hub for a special lun- Jerry Conklin, who has
(CREZ) II awarded WC- which are open year-round.
cheon organized to honor been working tirelessly for
VEDG $579,357 this year, Last year they invested
their service and provide the past year to establish a
$575,00 of which the group $113,000 for improvements
resources for their needs. regular veterans’ luncheon.
has invested directly into
Guests were treat- “Our goal is to create a space
South Morrow County— -Continued to PAGE EIGHT
ed to a delicious meal where veterans can connect
of freshly-made hoagies with each other and ac-
prepare by Jodi Segraves. cess important resources.”
The event’s location,
Morrow County Com-
mission Chair David Sykes the new Heppner Innovation
spoke and offered a wel- Hub, provided a welcoming
coming message of care and accessible venue for
to his fellow veterans. the gathering. Organizers
The gathering also fea- hope to make the luncheon
tured Amanda Kendricks, a recurring event to fur-
the Morrow County Vet- ther serve the local veteran
erans Service Officer, who community by providing
was available to answer information and resources.
The next luncheon is
veterans’ questions and
offer guidance on vari- set for Jan. 8 at 12 p.m.
ous benefits and services. in the St. Patrick’s Senior
The luncheon was made Center dining room. No
possible thanks to grants reservation is required,
from the Wildhorse Foun- and the luncheon is free. Dennis Waite checks the information available from Aman-
Heppner Elks Hoop Shoot winners (L-R) Scout Matheny,
For more information da Kendricks at the veterans’ luncheon. -Contributed photo
dation and ChangeX, which
Hoop Shoot winners
advance to districts
Santa’s breakfast visit to Holly Rebekah Lodge
By Chris Sykes
On Saturday, Dec. 14,
Santa Claus made a detour
from his North Pole prepa-
rations to spend two jolly
hours at the Holly Rebekah
Lodge in Lexington. From
9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Santa
swapped toy-making and
reindeer wrangling for pan-
cakes and Christmas cheer,
delighting kids and adults
alike.
The breakfast, fit for
even Santa’s appetite, fea-
tured pancakes, scrambled
eggs, sausages and cinna-
mon rolls. While the kids
enjoyed the meal, Santa
himself seemed particular-
ly enthusiastic about the
cinnamon rolls—some say
they saw him sneak an extra
one or two for the road.
The highlight of the
event, of course, was the
chance for kids to tell Santa
their Christmas wishes in
person. Children eagerly
lined up, each taking their
turn to share their hopes for
gifts ranging from dolls to
the latest gadgets. Santa,
with his hearty laugh and
knowing nods, made every
child feel special.
Parents and grand-
parents joined in the fun,
enjoying breakfast while
watching the excitement
unfold. Some even tried
to sneak in a few wish-list
hints of their own, though
Santa’s focus remained
firmly on the kids.
To keep the holiday
spirit alive, Santa handed
out candy canes. The room
was filled with laughter
and chatter, creating a fes-
tive atmosphere that made
everyone feel a little more
connected to the season.
By the time Santa de-
parted at 11 a.m., the lodge
was filled with satisfied
smiles, sticky fingers and
full hearts. As he headed
back to his sleigh, Santa
left behind a community
warmed by holiday cheer
and ready for Christmas.
Weston Christy, Emma Mullins, Sonny Matheny, Mikalie
Duncan and Charlie Mullins. -Contributed photo
Heppner Elks Lodge
hosted its annual Hoop
Shoot free-throw contest on
Dec. 15. Thirty contestants
ages eight to 13 competed
within their age groups.
Participants shot 10 free
throws, then another 15 free
throws, for a total of 25.
Six local kids earned
the chance to participate in
the Elks East District Hoop
Shoot contest on Jan. 12 in
John Day. The East District
consists of Condon, Hep-
pner, Milton-Freewater,
Enterprise, Baker, John
Day, Burns, Bend, Madras,
Prineville and Ontario lodg-
es, and each lodge has an
opportunity to send one par-
ticipant from each of the six
age groups. Winners from
that competition advance to
the state contest in Silverton
in February.
Heppner winners were
Scout Matheny for the 8-9
girls, Weston Christy for the
8-9 boys, Emma Mullins
for the 10-11 girls, Son-
ny Matheny for the 10-11
boys, Mikalie Duncan for
the 12-13 girls and Charlie
Mullins for the 12-13 boys.
Other participants were
Dylan Turner, Zeb Wed-
ding, Ladd Haak, Jaxon
Wilson, Grady Mullins,
Benham Haguewood, Berk-
ley Hanna, Ella Mullins,
Whitlie Duncan, Lillian
Kenny, Cohen Botefuhr,
Urijah Wedding, Preston
Milligan, Mack Swee-
ney, Walker Haak, Lucas
Matheny, Kamryn Dicken-
son, Hadlie Duncan, Kason
Botefuhr, Jasper Hanna,
Keller Sweeney, Joel Wil-
son, Payton Matheny and
Gage Rosenbalm.
CALL
541-989-8221
ext 204
for more
information