Genevie Caryl Wooster died on Dec. 5.

She was born on April 18, 1924, in Hot Springs, S.D., to Charles William and Martha Rehfeldt Kolterman.

Wooster was the fourth child, having an older sister and two brothers. They all grew up on the family ranch along the Cheyenne River, out of Hot Springs. She attended a country grade school and graduated from high school in Hot Springs.

After graduation, Wooster moved to Oelrichs, S.D., to live with her brother Carl and his wife, helping them ranch there. They later had a ranch out of Hay Springs, Neb. Wooster was a capable partner in ranching and cow-punching, as well as an excellent cook and housekeeper.

Wooster married Kenneth Dexter on June 13, 1969, and they settled in Burns, where they lived until his death in 1982. She remained in Burns, working at the Safeway store for many years. On April 9, 1984, she married Floyd Wooster. He died in 2000.
Wooster loved music and was accomplished on the piano and organ. She could hear a song once and immediately sit down and play it from memory — this was how she relaxed.

Wooster is survived by her son-in-law, Sam Glerup of Burns; step-daughter, Patty Spannaus; sister-in-law, Grace Kolterman of Billings, Mont.; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Rosalie Lillian; and brothers, Carl Otto and Robert John.

Services for Wooster will be held on Dec. 17 at LaFollette’s Chapel. Contributions in Wooster’s name may be made to Harney County Home Health, or the Alzheimer’s Association, in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720.

Harney Partners for Kids and Families meets on the third Wednesday of each month at noon, at Glory Days Pizza. Lunch is provided, RSVP to Michelle Bradach, president.

Babe Ruth meets the third Wednesday of each month in the courthouse basement meeting room, 450 North Buena Vista, at 7 p.m.

Oregon Hunters Association is for all hunters, whether rifle, bow, shotgun, muzzle loader or other. The local chapter meets at Linda’s Thai Room, the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m and is followed by a board meeting.

Storytime for preschoolers is scheduled at the Harney County Library, 80 West D St., each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Contact the Harney County Library for more information at 573-6670.

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.

Harney County Weed Board will meet at 1 p.m. Dec. 18 in the basement meeting room of the Harney County Courthouse. Topics of discussion will include Association of Oregon County Weed Supervisors legislation, comprehensive plan revision and review/approve cost-share applications. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, call the Weed Control Office at 573-8385.

Burns Planning Commission meets the third Thursday of each month at Burns City Hall, 242 South Broadway, at 7 p.m.

Harney County Historical Society meets the third Thursday of each month at the Elks Lodge, 118 North Broadway, at 11:45 a.m.

The Alternative Energy Club (AEC) meets the third Thursday of each month at Harney County Library, 80 West D Street, at 7 p.m.

Silvies River Spinners meets the third Thursday of each month at 650 East Washington at 7 p.m.

Tween Night is held at the Boys and Girls Club on the third Thursday of each month, from 6-7 p.m. The night is for kids who are told they are too young, or too old, for other activities.

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.

The Chamber Music Society Bell Ringers meet each Thursday at 6:30 p.m., at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. For more information, call Carol Sawyer at 573-6886.

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 (TOPS #630) meets each Thursday at Hines City Hall, 101 East Barnes, at noon.  Anyone who has pounds to lose is welcome. 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.

A Christmas bazaar will be held at the Community Gathering Center on the Burns Paiute Reservation on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 19-20. The bazaar will be from 5-8 p.m. on Dec. 19, and will include hand-crafted items and new and used gift ideas.

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.

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.

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

The Harney County Save a Stray Rescue will be offering photos of pets with Santa, at Rite Aid on Saturday Dec. 20, from 1 to 3 p.m.

The event will be a fund raiser for the organization to help defray the cost of rescuing dogs and cats, and getting them to homes. A 5×7 photo of friendly pets will be taken with Santa. For more information, call Angie Tiller at 573-3133, ext. 221.

A Christmas bazaar will be held at the Community Gathering Center on the Burns Paiute Reservation on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 19-20. The bazaar will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Dec. 20, and will include hand-crafted items and new and used gift ideas.

Alanon holds an open meeting each Saturday at Foursquare Church at 7 p.m.

Saint Andrew Episcopal and Peace Lutheran will hold a Christmas potluck dinner on Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. Members of the community are invited.

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

The Harney County Health Department will be available at the Harney County Senior Center, 17 South Alder, to check blood pressure the fourth Monday of each month from 1-3 p.m. There is no charge for the clinic and results can be forwarded to a physician or nurse practitioner at your request.

Order of Eastern Star meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Burns Masonic Hall, 1210 West Taylor, at 7:30 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 Club 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.

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.

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.

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

A breast cancer support group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month in the Harney District Hospital conference room, from 5:30-7 p.m. For more information, contact Sonni at 573-5750.

Harney County Chamber Music Society Choir meets the second and fourth Tuesday, September-November and January-March. The choir meets in the Burns High School band room, from 7-8:30 p.m., with Marianne Andrews directing. Singers ages 13-up are welcome.

Medicare D assistance will be available each Tuesday through Dec. 31, from 1-3 p.m., at the Harney County Senior Center. If you need help before that date, call 573-6024.

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

Patient Assist, Needy Med Program trained volunteers will be at the Harney County Senior Center each Tuesday, from 1-4 p.m. For appointments call the Senior Center at 573-6024.

Boy Scout Troop 440, sponsored by the Burns Lion’s Club, meets each Tuesday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the LDS Church in Hines. Boys ages 11-18 are welcome to join.

The Boys & Girls Club holds a cooking class, open to all members, each Tuesday.

Alcoholics Anonymous holds an open meeting each Tuesday at Foursquare Church, at 7 p.m.

Empty Canteen Association to provide short-term emergency loans

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

The Empty Canteen Association was recently formed as a way to provide short-term emergency financial relief for local military members and their families.

Founders Andy Cleland and Sean Wilson both work for the National Guard here in Burns, but the Empty Canteen Association is completely unaffiliated with the National Guard.

“The idea for the Empty Canteen Association was born after we realized that the men and women who serve our great nation were in need of help,” Cleland wrote in an informational handout on the newly formed group. While soldiers can turn to the Army Emergency Relief Fund (AER) if they are in need of larger sums of financial aid, the Empty Canteen Association is meant to provide smaller loans for unexpected emergencies such as when a part goes out on a car or when a water heater breaks down.

Cleland said that most soldiers live paycheck to paycheck, so those smaller emergencies can take a toll. He noted that the upper limit of the loans would likely be in the $300 range. “It’s just something to bridge the gap and get them through their problems,” he said. Cleland anticipates that once the association is firmly established, soldiers will be able to apply for a loan and have the money within 48 hours. “With today’s technology, there shouldn’t be any reason why we can’t get that type of turnaround,” Cleland said.
The secondary goal of the association is to improve the recreation room at the Armory, so that it can be a place where soldiers and their families can come and simply relax. Also, when the Burns National Guard Unit deploys sometime in the near future, Wilson and Cleland would like to upgrade the computer equipment with Web cams and video conferencing so soldiers can talk to their loved ones at home in Burns. “Those support networks when soldiers deploy are really important,” Cleland said.

The association was incorporated on Nov. 15 and currently has five members. Cleland said they will be conducting a membership drive between now and January.

“Anybody can be a member,” Wilson said. Businesses or individuals can join and no one has to have any military experience to be involved, but those serving on the association’s board must have at least four years of military experience. Cleland is currently the interim board president. Association members pay a yearly membership fee, attend meetings and receive newsletters updating the association’s activities.

Cleland and Wilson said that future fund raisers will include a beer and wine tasting slated to happen in February as well as a golf tournament to take place later on in the spring or summer. They would like to turn these fund raisers into annual events that locals can plan on and look forward to. They noted that the association and its fund raisers will be a way that Harney County residents who have not been involved in the military to support local soldiers.

For more information on the Empty Canteen Association, call Cleland at 503-798-2240 or e-mail him at emptycanteenassociation@gmail.com.

Fiddler’s Green

A Cavalryman’s Poem

(This poem of unknown origin is what inspired the Empty Canteen Association name.)

Halfway down the trail to Hell,
In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler’s Green.

Marching past, straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen.
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddler’s Green.

Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene.
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he’s emptied his canteen.
And so ride back to drink again
With friends at Fiddler’s Green

And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddler’s Green.

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has three ongoing projects in Harney County, and at the Dec. 3 meeting of the Harney County Court, representatives from ODFW gave an update on all three.

Tim Walters, district fish biologist, presented preliminary data on the redband trout surveys. Walters said that in the 136 total sites, the survey results show that the redband trout population “looks healthy.”

The survey recorded fish populations in the Silvies River, Silver Creek, Kiger/McCoy, Blitzen and Riddle/Smith sub-basins. Walters said the fish densities were highest in the southern survey areas, and lowest in the north because of the higher water flow in the south.

“The purpose of the survey,” said Walters, “is to help document areas where help is needed.”

The survey recorded about 415,000-450,000 redband trout that were 1 year of age, or older.

Rod Klus, district wildlife biologist, spoke to the court on the mule deer initiative. The initiative is a three-year plan that will address the decline in the mule deer populations in five units throughout Eastern Oregon, including the Steens Unit. Klus said there are a multitude of reasons why the mule deer numbers are declining. These include habitat changes, preditation and wildfire.

Over the next few months, said Klus, the ODFW will discuss what can be done to boost the population. Solutions may include decreasing juniper infestation, predator control and law enforcement to stop poaching. Judge Steve Grasty asked Klus if the ODFW would take into consideration the economic impact any plan would have on the counties involved; and if so, he offered assistance in creating the plan.

Dan Gonzalez, district wildlife biologist, presented an overview of the Riverside Wildlife Area. Previously, said Gonzalez, the area was operated year to year, but a 10-year plan is now in effect. The plan has three goals — to protect the uplands, to protect the riparian areas and to encourage recreation.

The Riverside Wildlife Area plan, said Gonzalez, is mainly a wildlife plan, with secondary benefits to fish. Meetings will be held on Jan. 13 and Jan. 14, in Ontario and Burns respectively, to take public input on the management of the area.

•••

In other county court business, Dana Shuford and Rhonda Karges, representing the Burns Bureau of Land Management (BLM), presented a draft of the South Steens Allotment Management Plan (AMP) environmental assessment. The plan includes building new reservoirs, drilling new wells and installing new pipeline and troughs.

Shuford said the Steens Mountain Act will provide guidance for management approaches for the considered projects. “Before the Steens Act, we wouldn’t have entertained water development in this portion of wilderness study.”

Karges told the court that the BLM did not plan to complete all of the projects at one time, and the work done on each project would be site specific. All of the work would be visibly unobtrusive, and sites would remain natural.

A verbal agreement for funding to help with the projects has been made by the Roaring Springs Ranch, and the rest of the funding would have to be budgeted. “It could be years before we see the money,” said Karges.

The Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) has issued a response to the AMP, stating, “If implemented as proposed, the project would be one of the most egregious Wilderness Study Area interim management violations we have seen. It would utterly rework this wild desert landscape on Steens Mountain, converting it from an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man to one where man and his works dominate the landscape.”

Shuford told the members of the court, “It has to go to court to get these issues settled.”

Harney County will write written comments supporting the decision contained in the environmental assessment.

•••

Al Foulke and Walter Cooper of the Harney County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) requested a memorandum of understanding of a mutual aid agreement between them and Harney County. the agreement would allow an emergency operations station in the courthouse. The court supported the project, and will review the memorandum.

•••

Holiday schedules were discussed, and the court agreed that the Harney County Courthouse will be closed on Friday, Dec. 26. County clerk Maria Iturriaga commented that her office would have to remain open on Friday, Dec. 31.