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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 21, 2025)
TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 21, 2025 The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow Heppner GAZETTE-TIMES U.S.P.S. 240-420 Obituaries Douglas C. Rathbun 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 Office at Heppner, Oregon under the Act of March 3, 1879. Periodical postage paid at Heppner, Oregon. Office at 177 N Main St. Telephone (541) 676-9228. E-mail: editor@rapidserve.net or sykeschris@hotmail.com Web site: www.heppner.net. Post- master send address changes to the Heppner Gazette-Times, P.O. Box 337, Heppner, Oregon 97836. Subscriptions: In Morrow County $36/year. Outside Morrow County $41/year. In County Senior Rate (65 years or older) $31/year. 9 month Student student subscriptions $36/year. Chris Sykes ...............................................................................................Publisher Andrea DiSalvo ............................................................................................. Editor Cindi Doherty.........................................................................................Advertising Douglas C. Rathbun On May 3, 2025, Doug- las C. Rathbun, an 81-year- old resident of Heppner, 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 $5.65 per OR/Vancouver, WA, passed column inch. Cost for classified ad is 55¢ per word. Cost for Card of Thanks is $16 up to 100 away at home, in the pres- words. Cost for a classified display ad is $6.15 per column inch. ence of his cherished wife, For Public/Legal Notices: public/legal notices deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. Dates for publi- cation must be specified. Affidavits must be requested at the time of submission. Affidavits Georgia Rathbun. That eve- require three weeks to process after last date of publication (a sooner return date must be ning, after a fulfilling day, specified if required). For Obituaries: Obituaries are published in the Heppner GT at no charge and are edited to the clouds parted, reflect- meet news guidelines. Families wishing to include information not included in the guidelines ing his vibrant spirit that or who wish to have the obituary written in a certain way must purchase advertising space inspired all who knew him. for the obituary. For Letters to the Editor: Letters to the Editor MUST be signed by the author. The Heppner A celebration of life GT will not publish unsigned letters. All letters MUST include the author’s address and phone will take place June 7 at 2 number for use by the GT office. The GT reserves the right to edit letters. The GT is not responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters. Any letters expressing thanks will be p.m. at Van Mall, 7808 NE placed in the classifieds under “Card of Thanks” at a cost of $16 51 st Street, Vancouver, WA. Born on May 26, 1943, in Eugene, OR, to Charles and Gladys Rathbun, Doug was the youngest of three siblings. He met his future wife, Georgia, during his youth. The Community Health Also similar to past Doug and Georgia mar- Improvement Partnership findings, behavioral and (CHIP) of Morrow County oral health evidence con- has released its latest health tinues to show the need for assessment for Morrow improved access to care and County. CHIP Director health outcomes. Andrea Fletcher says the The report also identi- report serves as a valuable fies emerging trends such as Community Unites to resource for understanding decreasing seasonal influ- trends and identifying dis- enza and COVID-19 vacci- By Barb Orwick The annual Heppner parities that influence the nation rates and increasing MSFocus Walk made his- community’s health. cases of sexually transmit- tory on April 26, by raising T h e C H I P i s a ted infections/diseases. a record-breaking $7,5000 long-standing collaborative Health system prior- dedicated to supporting serving Morrow County. It ities include improving uses the collective expertise communication and co- individuals impacted by from health and multi-sec- ordination, safeguarding multiple sclerosis. Hosted at Hager Park tor partners to analyze key access to the local system under pleasant skies, the data and, along with com- of care, maintaining ade- event drew an impressive munity input, identify areas quate workforce, ensuring number of participants, of need to support program health equity and address- united in their mission to planning, service develop- ing social determinants of raise awareness and aid ment and public policy de- health (non-medical fac- those affected by MS. cisions that directly impact tors affecting health, such Photographer Dale the community. as socioeconomic status, Bates set the day in motion The report looks in- housing and availability of with a group photograph depth at local, state and na- and access to healthy food before walkers embarked tional data and information, options). on a scenic tour of down- but offers the following few The CHIP stresses the town Heppner. As the pro- highlights of three primary importance of collaboration cession moved through the areas: special populations, between health and com- streets, the community’s en- health conditions and sys- munity partners to develop tem fundamentals. strategies that address rural ergy and enthusiasm were While overall health health challenges, reduce on full display. A contingent trends in the county remain barriers to care and opti- from South Morrow County relatively unchanged, dis- mize resources to improve Seniors Matter proudly de- parities persist for low-in- community wellness. Resi- buted its stylized T-shirts, come and Hispanic/Latino dents who are interested in while members of Hopeful residents. Additionally, improving the health of the Saints Ministry joined in, maternal, family and older community are encouraged reinforcing the shared ded- adult populations are of to take part in CHIP meet- ication to the cause. This year’s walk even significant concern. ings, held the first Thurs- welcomed out-of-town par- For the general pop- day of each month (except ticipants, including a group ulation, leading causes July) from 9- 10:30 a.m. of ladies from Hermiston of death and contributing Meetings alternate between risk factors—such as obe- Heppner and Boardman, and a couple from Ione, sity, tobacco use, blood with a virtual Zoom meet- WA, further demonstrating the widespread support for pressure and cholesterol ing option available. management, and health The full health assess- MS awareness. Their pres- screenings—continue to ment is available to the ence added to the event’s in- mirror trends from previous public online at https://bit. assessments, underscoring ly/mcphnews. For more the ongoing importance of information, email MC- Tuesday, May 6, was a chronic disease manage- CHIP11@gmail.com. beautiful, sunny day for ment and preventative care. the six ladies who teed off at Willow Creek Country Club. Taking low gross of the field was Karen Thompson, while Pat Dougherty had The community is com- bears the weight of ongoing low net of the field. Shirley ing together on Friday, May travel, food and lodging Martin walked away with 30, at the Heppner Elks expenses as they seek spe- Lodge to support a local cialized care far from home. family facing an extraordi- The event will kick nary challenge. The “Fuel off with a taco dinner at 5 the Race” fundraiser will p.m., followed by Bingo at feature a taco feed benefit 6 p.m. Tickets are just $15 dinner and a lively game for adults, which includes a of Bingo—all to support plate of tacos and a Bingo Lizzie Ginn, a teenager card, and $8 for kids. All *Design recently diagnosed with proceeds will help alleviate Chronic Granulomatous the financial strain on the *Print Disease (CGD). Ginn family as they support *Mail CGD is a rare genetic Lizzie through this difficult condition that affects the journey. Sykes immune system, making Community members it difficult for the body to can also follow and support Publishing fight off infections. While Lizzie’s journey through Lizzie’s medical treatments the #RacingWithLizzie 541-676 are covered in part by in- campaign on Facebook. -9228 surance, her family still Health assessment offers insights into community well-being ried in 1965; they enjoyed 60 years and five months together, spending half a century in Heppner before relocating to Vancouver in 2024 to be nearer family. After serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War, he pursued a degree in law enforcement. He began his career as a patrol officer in Powers, OR, before ded- icating 30 years as Chief of Police in Heppner. Doug had a passion for fishing, classic cars, west- ern films, and 1950s music, especially Elvis. Doug was a devoted husband, father and friend, celebrated for his warmth and humor. He had a pas- sion for fishing and relished sharing tales of his adven- tures. His legacy of love and laughter and competi- tive spirit for playing cards and Bingo will resonate in the hearts of those he touched, symbolizing the colorful life he led. He is survived by his wife, Georgia, and their four children: Carllena, Christy (Rob), Charles and Annett (Zeke). He is also survived by five grandchil- dren, Kyler, Derek, Allena, Izola and Oddin, and one great-granddaughter, Darla. Heppner MSFocus Walk Breaks Records Support MS Warriors spiring atmosphere, show- ing that the fight against MS extends beyond Heppner’s borders. While statistics sug- gest that only two to three individuals in the valley might be affected by MS, local knowledge paints a different picture—many community members know of at least 10 cases. This discrepancy highlights the significant impact of MS in the region and reinforces the importance of MSFo- cus’s mission. The organi- zation helps MS warriors by offering financial assistance for home remodeling, assis- tance technology, personal activities and medical solu- tions to support their daily lives. At the close of the event, heartfelt words of gratitude filled the air: “Thank you to all the support and donations for this event to help those MS warriors!” The record-breaking fundraiser not only provid- ed crucial financial support but also strengthened Hep- pner’s sense of community and solidarity. Each par- ticipant, whether local or visiting, played a role in making a difference—one step at a time. Over the Tee Cup ‘Fuel the Race’ fundraiser May 30 Print & Mailing Services least putts of the field. For flight B, Betty Carter had low gross, Kim Carl- son low net and Karen Smith-Griffith least putts. In other special events, Pat Dougherty and Shirley Martin had least strokes on holes five and eight. Karen Thompson and Kim Carlson had least putts combined on holes three and eight. Spiritually Speaking Father Thankachan Joseph Jesus and God, the Father Relationship From Easter until the Ascension of Jesus, which is going to take place soon, Jesus allows us to “overhear” some of the conversation between Him and His Father. The Gospel of the week narrates very clearly that the two of them are “one,” that He always listens to the Father’s voice and, as a devoted Son, does whatever the Father asks of Him. We know that we are hearing about something extremely important. This relationship existed before the world began. Now that Jesus is about to “return” to His Father, He tells us something else: that we can not only overhear their conversation but can actually enter into it. The relationship that needs to exist between the Chris- tian and Christ is essentially a love relationship. That is why Jesus said in John 15:15, “I do not call you servants any longer...I call you friends.” Yet many of us feel more comfortable serving Jesus as boss rather than relating to Him as a friend. At the Last Supper, washing the feet of His disciples, He set a model of leadership, that of a servant mentality to win the world with love and service. One thing we know about love is that lovers want to be with each other. But Jesus is not physically present. We cannot physically see Him or touch Him. This is the dilemma we see in the problem of all the believers today. How can you love an absent Jesus? This is what this week’s Gospel is all about. In the Gospel Jesus prepares His disciples, those who love Him, for His departure from this world and shows them how they can keep love and intimacy alive even in His physical absence. “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them (John 14:23).” If you are in love with the Lord Jesus, you under- stand the following: (1) You keep His word. Follow His teachings. (2) This will activate God’s special love for you, and (3) Jesus and His Father will come and live permanently with you. In this way, the vacuum left by the physical absence of Jesus will be filled spiritually by the divine presence which is as real or even more real than the physical presence. Our part in this entire process is to focus on keeping the word of Christ. But how do we make sure we know the implication and meaning of the word of Christ in the ever-changing and ever more complex realities of modern life? How can we be sure of what Jesus would do and how He would act in concrete situations of our daily lives? Again, Jesus fore- saw this difficulty and provided for it: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). But what about the situation in the world today in which fifty devotees all “filled with the Holy Spirit” come up with fifty different answers to the same question? Does the Holy Spirit contradict Him- self? Here it is important to note that the “you” to whom these promises are made is plural, meaning, primarily, the community of believers, the church. Of course, the Holy Spirit is with us individually, but the Holy Spirit is given primarily to the church and, through the church, to us as individuals when we become members of the church and especially through the reception of the sacrament of confirmation. This is what we see in the first reading where disagreements among Christians are resolved through dialogue and community discernment and not through each one consulting the Holy Spirit privately. In the end, they come out with a resolution which begins, “it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.” (Acts 15:28). The word of Christ continues to live and resound in the word of the Holy Spirit speaking through the church. The days between the Ascension of Christ and Pentecost are special days of prayer for all Christians as they were for the first disciples of Jesus. This year let us pray for the world, that it may bring the gift of unity among faiths, so that together we all can discern what the Spirit is saying to the church in the modern world and so stay united witness to the life-giving word of Christ. Lexington Hunter Education The course is a 1 day Field Day on June 14, 2025 at 8:00 am. The class requires students to take an approved online course and bring the certificate with you. Instructions for signing up at http://vem.myodfw.com/eventprofile/174. For more information contact instructor Jim Marquardt at 541-969-4845. For help signing up contact 855-686-1055 or odfwhelp@payitgov.com Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription
