By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

Having grown up in Hines, Bill Jennings is all too aware of Edward Hines Lumber Co. and its significance to the town’s history.

So when the L-1 shed behind the mill site began to be dismantled, he decided something needed to be done to commemorate all the people who had worked at the mill over the years.

Jennings said he decided to build a pair of benches, which would be dedicated to the former mill employees. “I went out and talked to the people that were tearing the shed down,” he said. “They told me they’d give me the material if I would donate the benches to a city park when I was done.”

Once he received the wood, Jennings began working on the benches in his garage in mid-September 2007. After almost six months of cutting, sanding and weatherizing the wood, Jennings had completed the project. “I worked right through the dead of winter, with no heat in the garage,” he laughed. “But I had a ton of fun doing it.”

The benches are not only comfortable but they also feature a variety of photographs of the town, the mill and the lumber industry through the years.

Jennings said the photographs came from the Harney County Historical Museum, private individuals, daily reminder books his father had and from the Oregon and Northwestern Railroad Web site. “It’s for the young people to learn about the history of the city,” he said. There would be no city of Hines if there wasn’t an Edward Hines Lumber Co.”

Jennings, who now lives in Burns, said he spent a total of 10-and-a-half years working for the mill and his father worked there for 44 years. Jennings added that there are a number of people in Harney County who worked for the mill for a number of years and the benches and the history are for them.

The benches are located next to the eagle statue south of Hines City Hall.

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

In just a few days, Harney County horse trainer Corinne Elser will load her 3-year-old filly, Dolly, into a trailer and head for Sacramento, Calif.

The trip will be the culmination of a project that began back in February when Elser was notified by the Mustang Heritage Foundation that she had been selected to compete in the Western States Horse Expo Mustang Challenge June 6-9 in Sacramento.

Elser and the other 34 select trainers from around the country were required to travel to Sacramento and pick up pre-selected wild mustangs. “It was a random draw for the horses,” Elser said. “I just backed the trailer up, and they loaded her on.”

After getting their horses, each trainer would then have 90 days to work with them before returning for the Mustang Challenge competition.

Now that those 90 days are almost up, Elser is excited and eager to show Dolly’s talents to an expected crowd of 50,000 people.

The competition

During the Mustang Challenge on Friday, June 6, each trainer will be judged on the condition of their horse, including body weight, muscle tone and weight.

Each trainer will also have to handle their horse “in-hand” through a series of maneuvers, including backing through an “L,” picking up the horse’s feet, loading it into a trailer and completing an obstacle course.

On Saturday, the competitors will complete a “horse course.” “It includes walk, trot and canter with both leads, ride in pattern, stop and back and walk over a bridge,” Elser said. “And there will be some surprises for us, too.”

The top 10 trainers will then be selected, and they will perform a four-minute freestyle routine set to music. The winner of the freestyle will then be named as the overall winner.

Background

Competing in the Mustang Challenge seems a natural progression for Elser who began riding at a very young age. “I’ve been riding since I was 2,” she smiled. “When I was 5, people used to get me to ride their ponies for them. The ponies needed to be ridden and the owners had gotten too big to do it, so I’d do it.”

After graduating from Grants Pass High School in 2003, Elser went to work as a volunteer at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wild Horse Corrals outside of Hines. About five months later, she began training horses professionally.

Elser is currently training 10 horses, including Dolly, and said her typical work day runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. “I work each horse for an hour to an hour-and-a-half each day,” she said. “They might get a day off once in a while if I have to go into town or something, but otherwise I’m out there with them every day.”

Training a wild horse is nothing new to Elser, who figures she has worked with more then 200 mustangs in the past five years.

She also tries to attend a few horse shows each year. Last year included three shows in Ontario, four with the Great Basin Saddle Club, and she showed at the Harney County Fair. “I’ve done horse shows, but none like this (Mustang Challenge).”

Dolly

Even though she didn’t get to hand-pick Dolly from the herd, Elser said she knew the filly was special from the start, which led to her moniker. “She was easy from the first day, and I kept telling her, ‘You’re such a doll,’ ” Elser said. “I know the name is kind of corny, but it fit.”

Dolly was gathered from the Coppersmith Herd Management Area, which includes land in both Nevada and California, but she seems right at home in Harney County. “She might get a little hyperactive at times, but for the most part, she’s a great horse,” Elser said.

Elser has already had Dolly at some recent brandings and other gatherings, as well as taking her to a horse show in Ontario a few weeks ago. “There were a lot of people there, clapping and making noise, but she did OK,” Elser said. “There’s going to be a much bigger crowd in Sacramento, and she might be a little nervous at first, but I think she’ll do OK.”

Mustang Challenge

Elser said that she and her mother attended a mustang show in Texas last September, and it looked like something she wanted to do. “I like challenges,” she laughed. “I’m always up for a challenge, and I feel like I’m ready for this one.”

Following the competition, the horses will be auctioned off and each trainer will get 20 percent of the winning bid. “We also get $500 for our work, but with fuel prices as high as they are, you’re really not making money,” Elser said. “But it’s not about the money. I do it for the fun of it.

Watching Elser ride Dolly around the practice ring, it’s obvious there is mutual respect and affection and that both are ready for the challenge.

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

More than 60 percent of Harney County’s registered voters voiced their opinions in the May 20 election.

In the most debated local race, Cliff Bentz claimed the victory over Tim Smith for the District 60 State Representative position. Bentz picked up the majority of the votes in all four counties — Harney, Grant, Malheur and Baker. Bentz took the win in Harney County with a slim margin of 724 versus 630 votes.

Harney County (HC) and Oregon (OR) results for the remaining contested positions and measures on the ballot are as follows:
Measure 51: HC — Yes 1,343; no 778. OR — Yes 728,617; no 242,690

Measure 52: HC — Yes 1,348; no 760. OR — Yes 712,849; no 238,696.

Measure 53: HC — Yes 770; no 1,355. OR — Yes 473,453; no 471,061.

United States President, Democ­rat: HC — Hillary Clinton 365; Barack Obama 351. OR — Hillary Clinton 251,356; Barack Obama 360,124.

United States President, Republican: HC — John McCain 1,146; Ron Paul 157. OR — John McCain 278,669; Ron Paul 49,629.

U.S. Senator, Democrat: HC — Jeff Merkley 288, Steve Novick 207, Candy Neville 73, Pavel Goberman 29, Roger Obrist 28, David Loera 9; OR — Jeff Merkley 238,199, Steve Novick 222,118, Candy Neville 37,028, Roger Obrist 12,207, Pavel Goberman 11,547, David Loera 5,812.

U.S. Senator, Republican: HC — Gordon Smith, 1,140, Gordon Leitch 186. OR — Gordon Smith 288,646, Gordon Leitch 47,243.

Secretary of State, Democrat: HC — Kate Brown 293, Rick Metsger 241, Vicki Walker 94, Paul Wells 20. OR — Kate Brown 267,520, Rick Metsger 140,928, Vicki Walker 14,087, Paul Wells 14,087.

Attorney General, Democrat: HC — John Kroger 333, Greg Macpherson 297. OR — John Kroger 273,503, Greg Macpherson 215,655.

Harney County Committee person, male position 3, Democrat: Glenn Whitmore 203, Freddie Graham 117.

Harney County Committee person, male position 4, Democrat: Ed O’Carroll 86, Charles Williams 83.

Harney County Committee person, male position 3, Republican: Warren Whitney 189, Carl Kelley 181, James Ward 171.

Harney County Committee person, male position 2, Republican: Ruel Teague 153, Carl Roser 120.

Harney County Committee person, male position 4, Republican: Joseph Cronin 436, William Wilber 410, Timothy Smith 391.

Harney County Committee person, female position 3, Republican: Denise Christianson 276, Antoniette Ford 156, Lynda Ward 154.

Harney County Committee person, female position 4, Republican: Ramonda Thompson 423, Susan Hammond 409, Holly Smith 371, Vivian Cronin 362.

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

With an 8-2 win over the Glide Wildcats on Friday, May 23, the Burns Hilanders advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3A State Baseball Championships.

Tommy Ghost Dog picked up the win, giving up just two runs on six hits, with three strike outs and one walk in seven innings.

The Hilander defense came up big in the game, turning two double plays in the late innings to shut down potential Wildcat rallies.

Burns never trailed in the game as they scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back.

Caleb Feist led off with a single and Garrett Swisher drew a base on balls. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, and Ghost Dog brought them home with a single to right.

After two groundouts, Jory Fritts singled to score Ghost Dog.

Glide came back with solo runs in the second and third innings to cut the Hilander lead to one.

In the bottom of the third, Ghost Dog singled to lead off the inning and Fritts again brought him in with an RBI-single.

In the fourth, Trevor Smith scored for the Hilanders on Ghost Dog’s single.

The Hilanders then put the game away with a three-run rally in the top of the fifth. The Hilanders loaded the bases with one out, two walks and a single.

Trevor Smith then singled to drive in Drew Heinz.

Feist lined a single to centerfield to bring Dallon Swindlehurst home, and Matt Ogata was thrown out at home on a perfect strike by the centerfielder.

Smith scored the third and final run of the inning on a wild pitch.

Ghost Dog went 3-for-4 at the plate with 3 RBIs and two runs scored. Smith was 3-for-3 with one RBI and two scores, Feist went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored and Fritts finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Burns traveled to take on the Colton Vikings in the semi-final game on Tuesday, May 27. Results were not available at press time.

•••

Ghost Dog threw a no-hitter to lead the Burns Hilanders to a 7-0 win over Jefferson in the first round of the Class 3A State Baseball Championships on Tuesday, May 20.

“Tommy threw a great game,” Burns coach Kevin Feist said. “He was dominant.”

Ghost Dog struck out 12 and walked just one batter while picking up his 13th win of the season.

After two scoreless innings, the Hilanders finally got on the scoreboard in the third, rallying for five runs with two outs.

With one out, Smith drew a walk, and Feist hit into a fielder’s choice. Garrett Swisher followed with a single, and Ghost Dog walked to load the bases.

Clean-up hitter Logan Garner then came to plate and singled to drive in the Hilanders first two runs. An RBI-single by Heinz made it 3-0, and Fritts brought Garner and Heinz home with another single.

Burns added two runs in the sixth on an RBI-double by Feist and a throwing error.

“The kids played great,” coach Feist said. “It was nice to go on the road in the playoffs and get a win. I’m proud of the kids for how they bounced back after a tough loss to Grant Union.”

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Spring Festival Concert is at 7 p.m. May 28. The Burns High School band and choir will perform in the high school cafeteria. A reception will follow.

Harney County Health District board of directors meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Racine building on North Egan at 6 p.m.

Burns City Council meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at Burns City Hall, 242 South Broadway, at 6 p.m.

High Desert Park and Recreation District board of directors meets the fourth Wednesday of each month in their office at Lincoln Junior High School, 550 North Court, at 7 p.m.

Storytime for preschoolers is held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Harney County Library.

Burns Fire Dept. meets each Wednesday at the Burns Fire Hall at 7 p.m.

Burns Elks Lodge, 118 North Broadway, meets each Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets each Wednesday at the Foursquare Church at 7 p.m.

Tai Chi  is held every Thursday at the Harney County Senior and Community Services Center, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. All ages are  welcome to participate.

Kiwanis Club of Burns-Hines meets for a no-host luncheon each Thursday at Glory Days Pizza, 690 Oregon Ave., at noon.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets each Thursday at Hines City Hall, 101 East Barnes, at noon. Call 573-2896.

The Boys & Girls Club holds karaoke each Thursday. Members of all ages are welcome to join Hanna in the education room for a program that promotes the art of singing, as well as a fun way to practice reading skills.

Teen Night is held at the Boys & Girls Club each Thursday, from 6-7 p.m. for all teenagers.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets each Thursday at the Foursquare Church, at 7 p.m.

Hines Middle School Reading Club meets each Friday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Harney County Library.

The Boys & Girls Club has the Club Bucks Store open each Friday. This is an incentive program in which members earn “club bucks” by doing good deeds and helping out around the club.

Oregon Old Time Fiddlers, District 9, meets the first, third and fourth Friday of each month. Call Julia at 573-2770, for time and place.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Friday at Foursquare Church at 7 p.m.

Seneca’s 17th annual Oyster Feed will be held on May 31. In addition to the feed, which begins at noon, there will be a softball tournament, canoe races, 5K run, golf scramble and the “Silvies River Bud Race.” For more information, call 541-542-2161.

A Holistic Health Fair will be held at the Harney County Senior Center from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 31. For more information, call Selene Dobson at 573-3102.

A Community Health Fair will be held at the Harney County Fairgrounds on May 31, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The event  is sponsored by Harney District Hospital. Education, screenings and door prizes will be included. A Kid’s Korral will also be set up for children.

Alanon holds an open meeting each Saturday at Foursquare Church at 5:30 p.m.

Harney County Talent Show and Taco Feed will be held at the Burns Elks Lodge on June 1. The dinner will begin at 5 p.m., with the talent show to start at 6 p.m. Admission to the talent show is free. The event is sponsored by The Aspens Assisted Living Center, as a fund raiser to purchase automatic doors for the facility. For more information, call The Aspens at 573-2222.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Sunday at Foursquare Church for 12X12 study, at 7 p.m.

Medicare Assistance Program, through the Harney County Senior and Community Services Center is held the first Monday of each month from 1-3 p.m. Call 573-6024 to make an appointment.

Harney County Search and Rescue meets the first Monday of each month at Hines City Hall, 101 East Barnes, at 7 p.m.

Masonic Lodge meets the first and third Monday of each month at the Burns Masonic Lodge, 1210 West Taylor, at 7 p.m.

The Torch Club, a teen leadership and service group at the Boys & Girls Club, meets each Monday from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

ImageMakers, a photography program is offered to members of the Boys & Girls each Monday from 4-5 p.m. All ages are encouraged to learn and practice black and white, color and digital photography skills as well as image editing.

PRIDE meets each Monday in the Courthouse basement meeting room, 450 North Buena Vista, at 7:30 a.m. to network for community betterment.

The Burns Lions Club meets each Monday at noon at the Burns Elks Lodge, 118 N. Broadway, for lunch. Those interested in serving the community are welcome.

Narcotics Anonymous holds an open meeting each Monday at 7 p.m. at Foursquare Church.

HDH Sports & Physical Therapy will offer a free athletic injury clinic at that facility, 559 West Washington, every Monday from 5-6 p.m. A physical therapist will assess and treat athletic injuries and provide education for athletes and parents on self management of injuries. For more information call 573-1543.