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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 5, 2025)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 5, 2025 -- THREE ~ Letters to the Editor ~ 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 verification and will not be printed in the newspaper. Letters may not 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 will be placed in the classifieds under “Card of Thanks” at a cost of $15 Email to editor@rapidserve.net or upload to Heppner.net. Daddy My dad was probably the most intelligent man I’ve ever known. He loved knowledge and put a high value on education. He possessed a rare kindness and incredible memory.... and never knew a strang- er. He was a Navy man, a pilot, and a Wrangler-clad rancher with a soft spot for all animals. Even spiders. As I lifted my boot to squish one, he’d say “Now that spider never did anything to you.” One of his true loves was his milk cow, Rose Marie. I think he kept ev- ery calf she ever had. He would point with pride and say “This is the great, great-granddaughter of Rose Marie”. I probably wasn’t as impressed as I should have been back then. I’m impressed now. I loved my dad, but there was a side of him that I hated. It was a weakness. It ruled him and it robbed me of precious time and memories we could have made. And it gave me a determination that I would never let it have me. Daddy drank. Whiskey in his coffee, beer in his hand, a bottle in a brown bag under the seat. Every day, it wasn’t a matter of if…..but how bad. My dad was never mean. He was a nice drunk. But, at a very early age, I learned a “nice drunk” didn’t make it nice for me. My young vocab- ulary included words like “plastered”, “booze” and “drunk tank”. I learned when to stay away and became an expert at identi- fying the signs. The stagger, the glazed-over look in his eyes, the tone in his voice all told me my dad wasn’t there. And I would come face to face once more with the demon that had him. It took years for me to figure out why the hurt was so deep and relent- less. It wasn’t the times I dumped out the contents of the bottles he had under his sink, only to find the replacements the next day. It wasn’t even the embar- rassment of him staggering in late to my eighth-grade graduation, while the whole school watched. It was that every minute of every day, I felt he chose the bottle over me….and if he loved me enough, he would quit. I waited for him to see that I was better than the bot- tle…..that I could make him happier than the stuff under the sink. I knew nothing of addictions. I only knew this hurt. Adulthood gave me a new perspective on my dad’s life and I know this battle wasn’t something he chose. Alcohol took my dad from me, but it didn’t take his life. It wasn’t until he reached his 60s that he got the help he needed to defeat the demon. But I’m proud to say he did, and he lived another 30 years, enjoying and being enjoyed by his family. This isn’t an easy story to tell. It’s a part of my heart that I haven’t shared with many and I don’t share it to elicit pity or tarnish my dad’s legacy. I share it because I hope it will help someone understand how their choices can have a lasting effect on those who love them. And that battles can be won, and miracles happen. My dad became my hero. And I know he would have liked the possibility of helping someone win their own battle. He was like that, and that’s the dad I love and miss. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Philippi- ans 4:13 Susie Crosby Prineville, OR Heppner Chamber plans litter patrol Thursday The Heppner Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Adopt-A-Highway litter patrol this Thursday, March 6, from 1-2 p.m. to prepare for the Wee Bit O’ Ireland Celebration. Anyone who would like to volunteer, please contact the chamber at 541- 676-5536 or email heppner- chamber@gmail.com. Spiritually Speaking St. Pat’s Grand marshals Father Thankachan Joseph Season of Lent: short reflections on what to give up The season of Lent has begun today. The season of lent is an invitation to introspect our lives and realize the dark spots and turn to the light of Christ and live well. I am sure many of you are familiar with the term “Lent.” Lent is a season of intense prayer, fasting, and fidelity to the word of God. Lent is a time of introspection. On Ash Wednesday, we read from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 6, the Lenten tasks expected of all of us. We read in the book of Exodus the Israelites grumbling, even after the amazing things God had done for them (Ex 17:3-7). In them, we recognize ourselves. This is a particular time of 40 days that we set aside for working on ourselves so we don’t end up wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years. We do things to burn off the fat that’s weighing us down, try to improve our spiritual diet, and do some spiri- tual exercises to strengthen the muscles we call “virtues.” Every year, as soon as Lent begins, the first question many people ask is, “What will I do for Lent?” Some will answer, “I will give up smoking,” or “I will give up alcoholic drinks,” or “I will give up watching movies and TV.” Others may say, “I will go for daily Mass,” or “I will read one chapter of the Gospels every day.” But you who neither smoke nor drink nor watch movies and TV, you who go for daily Mass and read Gospels every day, for you, what is there to give up? Some of my thoughts on that which we need to GIVE UP to be with Christ and be like Him (Some of you parents may train your children in a meaningful practice that is almost vanishing from our Christian traditions.): 1. GIVE UP grumbling! Instead, “In everything give thanks.” 2. GIVE UP 10 to 15 minutes in bed! Instead, use that time in prayer, Bible study and personal devotion. 3. GIVE UP looking at other people’s worst points. In- stead, concentrate on their best points. We all have faults. 4. GIVE UP speaking unkindly. Instead, let your speech be generous and understanding. It costs so little to say something kind and uplifting. 5. GIVE UP your hatred of anyone or anything! In- stead, learn the discipline of love. 6. GIVE UP your worries and anxieties! Instead, trust God with them. 7. GIVE UP TV one evening a week! Instead, visit some lonely or sick person. There are those who are iso- lated by illness or age. 8. GIVE UP buying anything but essentials for your- self! Instead, the money you would spend on the luxuries could help someone meet basic needs. 9. GIVE UP judging by appearances and by the stan- dard of the world! Instead, learn that there is only one who has the right to judge, Jesus Christ. So, the real question of Lent is not so much, “What will I give up for Lent?” but rather, “What do I wish to become as a result of Lent?” (More Christ-like, more child-like, more human, more understanding, more com- mitted to my daily routine of life and apostolate, etc....) The Lenten season begins with the blessing of the ashes from last year’s Palm Sunday’s palm branches and applying the ashes on the foreheads of all the believers who attend the services, recalling how the people of God listened to God’s prophets and took upon themselves severe fasting and self-denial activities. On Ash Wednesday, we read from the book of Joel; the prophet is inviting everyone with these words: “Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning; Rend your hearts not your garments, and return to the Lord your God” (Joel 2: 12). Start giving thanks in everything! Start focusing on others’ best points. Let your speech become more gener- ous and understanding. Learn the discipline of love. Turn from anxiety, live today, and let God’s grace be sufficient. Visit some lonely or sick person. Spend only on essentials; we are called to be stewards of God’s riches, not consum- ers. Learn not to judge yourself or others. There is only one who has the right to judge, Jesus Christ. (I just returned home last week after my vacation in India. Thanks for all your prayers.) Ione drama is about to crash high society The Greenup family kids at the annual camping trip. -Contributed photo -Continued from PAGE ONE Truitt and Nina [Sydney, Don was cattleman of the year for 1960, father of the year in 1964 and grand marshal of the 1991 Morrow County Fair and Rodeo. Don and Colleen’s children and their spous- es, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will represent the Greenup Fam- ily for the St. Patrick’s weekend festivities: they are Tag and Mitch (Angie, Rob and Jennifer [Mary, Jonny], Shelly and John [Gus]; Sue Ellen and Paul (Shannon and Bobby [Park- er, Laney], Jimmy & Marcy [Ayden], Cody and Brianna [Gemma, Kroy], Katie and Michael [Mikalie, Hadlie, Whitlie, Briggs, Jaynie]); Bill and Cindy (Travis and Tiffany [Hayley, Blake, Savannah, Hunter, Sierra], Kaden, Taya], Tony and Michelle [Cole, Shad]); Greg and Janet (Amy and Brian [Rylee, Evan, Irelynn], Sara and Tygh [Charli, Kaci], Kathleen (Joseph, Carmine, Len- non), Kelsey and Justin [Ketch, EllieGene, Klan- cy]); Mary Ann and Ted (Bradie, Heather and Bran- don [Brooklyn, Axton], Lacey and Tom [Saige, Quaid, Karter Jo, Price], Brandon [Ritter]); Bridgett and Mike (Hayden and Katie, Allen and Brittney [Lexi, Jacob, Jordan, Tommi, Amaia], Joey and Taylor [Wyatt, Cayelynn], Stephen, Lane). The Greenup family says it is honored to be selected as grand mar- shals and want to see all their friends enjoying the weekend. Upcoming Events March 6th Old Timers Night, Steak Dinner, 6pm, Lodge at 8pm March 7th - Western Dance Lessons by the Lindsay Family 7:30pm, Dinner off the menu served from 5pm to 8pm March 15th - St Patrick’s Day - Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner 5pm, Music by Joe Lindsay 8:30pm March 20th - Installation of Officers at Lodge at 8pm (family welcome) Lodge Hours: Wed 4pm to close with dinner at 6pm Thurs 4pm to close (Lodge at 8pm) Fri & Sat 4pm to close with dinner from 5pm to 8pm Members and their Guest Seniors Matter March Menu March 11, - Burrito Bar, Dessert March 18, Pork Roast, Potatoes with gravy, buttered corn and Dessert March 25 - Italian Tomato Soup, Salad, Dessert Ad sponsored by Bank of Eastern Oregon Spot On Septic – Reliable, Fast & Affordable! Keep Your System Running Spot On! service@spotonseptic.com 310 S Main St. Stanfield OR 97875 Serving Morrow County! Septic Pumping, Maintenance, Inspections & Repairs for Residential & Commercial 541-567-1015 Open Bottle Calf Showcase Morrow County’s Littlest Cowpokes Calf Show: Calves must be under 5 months old Sunday, March 9th, 2025 Registration opens at 9:30, the show begins at 10:30 at the Morrow County Fairgrounds. Itty-Bitties: Ages 2-5 Years Little Cowhands: Ages 6-8 Years The Hands: Ages 9-12 Years Cow Boss: 13-16 Years A time to enjoy good food, better company and foster the next generation of, cowpokes Sign up at: https://forms.gle/V3f7akUy188ahkz7 Pictured is the cast of Ione Community School’s production of “Crashing Society.” Back Row: Michaela Covey, Alex Cave, Brylee Scoggin, Haryss Padberg, Teagan Roy, Hunter Scoggin, Bryson Bailey, Adrian Mendoza, Cayden Mendoza and Blake Vandever. Front Row: Kayden Reser, Caydance Kreitzer, Madelyn Campbell, Ari’el Gray, Alex Mudge and Sophia Serrano. -Contributed photo The drama students at Ione Community Charter School will be performing “Crashing Society,” a com- edy by James C. Parker, on March 12 and 13 at 6:30 p.m. “Crashing Society: A Comedy in Three Acts” by James C. Parker is a comedic play that delves into the humorous and of- ten absurd situations that arise when different social classes collide. The play is set in the 1930s and revolves around the interactions between characters from various social backgrounds, high- lighting the quirks and ec- centricities of each group. Through witty dialogue and amusing scenarios, the play explores themes of social status, ambition and the desire for acceptance.
