Dixie Lee Houck died on Sept. 8.

She was born on Sept. 3, 1927, to John and Cecil Scott in Catoosa, Okla. At the age of 2 months, she and her family moved west in a brand new Model T Ford.

The family settled near Parma, Idaho. Houck attended grade school at Apple Valley School, and then attended Parma High School. She learned the value of hard work early on in her life. She hoed many onion fields with her family in order to make a living.

Houck’s family was very close and shared an extraordinary love. She passed this love along in her life. “God put me on this earth to love people,” are words those in her life heard many times. And she did love people.

In the 1950s, she met an Oregon State Police officer. She and John Houck were married until his death in 1996. During her married life, Houck’s most important job was taking care of her family. She grew incredible gardens and canned and preserved most of the family’s winter groceries. She was always present at her children’s school activities, whether it was a football game, a volleyball match, a rodeo or a choir concert. Houck was always there cheering her children on.

She volunteered with 4-H, chaperoned judging trips and fund raisers, as well as many other activities.

After Houck’s family was raised, she worked for many years at Farra’s Western Wear in Burns, managing the business for a time. She enjoyed traveling and often accompanied her husband on business trips — she took the Bahamas by storm and had a blast there.

Houck was a member of the Burns Christian Church and the Veteran’s Auxiliary. She was the happiest when her family would gather at her home for one of her home-cooked dinners, and loved it when the family would sit and play music.
She enjoyed her morning coffee meetings at Erickson’s, where she and her friends would catch up on the news. Houck spent countless hours at the Harney County Senior Center, playing cards, having meals and being a social butterfly.

Houck is survived by her children, Scott Houck and wife Noel of Burns and Cathy Houck of Boise, Idaho; grandchildren, Dale Houck and wife Nicki of Burns, Tammy Wilkinson and husband Barry of McDermitt, Nev., John Slyter and wife Brooks of Bend, and Lacy Slyter of Boise; sisters, Wanda Pollard and husband Bernie, and Trek Wagner and husband Rex, all of Parma, Idaho; sister-in-laws, Leona Gillihan of Nyssa, and Vivian Muir of Weiser, Idaho; great-grandchildren, Brittainy, Andrew, Halle and Orion Houck and Rylee and Reese Wilkinson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Houck; daughter, Vivian Kay Houck; granddaughter, Dalli Slyter; and brothers, Arley and R.A. Scott.

Contributions in Houck’s memory may be made to the Harney County Hospice or the Harney County Senior Center.

Allen Dale Sherburn died on Sept. 13.

He was born on July 24, 1927, in Winnemucca, Nev., to Lloyd and Daisy Sherburn, joining brothers Lloyd (Jack) Jr. and William Dell on the upper Trout Creek in the south end of Harney County.

Sherburn received his education in various south Harney County schools. He finished the ninth grade at Crane High School, and then left school to help his father on the ranch.

He served in the United States Army from Jan. 24, 1951, to Feb. 19, 1952, during the Korean War. Sherburn was an Army SVC-medic, receiving two Bronze SVC Stars and a SCA medal. After he was honorably discharged he went back to ranching in the Fields area. He enjoyed buckarooing and breaking horses, as well as helping his father hay.

Sherburn met his wife, Janet, when she was working in the Denio Mercantile store. They were married on Jan. 2, 1954, at his uncle and aunt’s home in Winnemucca. They made their home on the upper Trout Creek and worked for his parents. The couple had four children — Dale Allen, Cherie Lynn, Betty Lea and Lyle Edward.

In 1970, Sherburn and his family moved to Catlow Valley, where he worked as a buckaroo boss. In 1972, they moved to Burns, where he worked for Edward Hines Lumber Company. They bought property outside of Burns in 1976, and Sherburn continued to reside there until his death.

Sherburn is survived by his wife, Janet; children Dale of Mann Lake, Cherie of Winnemucca, Betty of Vale and Lyle of Burns; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd; mother, Daisy; brothers, Lloyd (Jack) and Dell; and sister-in-laws, Yvonne and Dorothy.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 1 p.m. in the Denio Nevada Community Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sherburn’s memory may be made to an account at Sterling Bank in Burns.

Malheur Wildlife Refuge will have a “listening post” set up at Harney County Chamber Conference Room, 484 N. Broadway, Burns, 6-9 p.m., for comment on the preparation and planning of its Comprehensive Conservation Plan. An unstaffed display will also be at the Chamber Office.

Harney County Health District board of directors meets the fourth Wednesday of each month in the board conference room of the hospital, in the entrance off N. Grand, 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 building, 550 North Court, at 7 p.m.

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 573-6670.

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 Basin Writers presents “Cinquain Collecting” on Sept. 24. Savor and collect wines from Cinquain Cellars and collect the cinquain poems on each label. Hear poems read and create your own. Wine tasting and treats to eat at the Ranch Art Gallery from 5-7 p.m. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted to benefit the 2010 Harney County Writer-in-Residence Program.

Disabled Services Advisory Council (DSAC) meets every fourth Thursday at the State Office Building small conference room, 809 West Jackson, at 1:30 p.m.

Harney County Soil and Water Conservation District board of directors will hold their regular monthly meeting at Glory Day’s Pizza, on Sept. 24, at 4 p.m. Agenda items include presentation of pending small grants within the watershed, approval of monthly minutes and financials, policy discussion and any other business as time allows. The public is welcome to attend.

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 Avenue, at noon.

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

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

Friday Morning Book Club with Lisa, a new program for kids ages 7-10, will be held at the Harney County Library from 9-10 a.m. The program will include stories and crafts.

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.

Harney County Farmers Market will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 26 at Hines Park. Pick your produce, craft your craft, set up a table and buy or sell locally produced items. The market will be held every Saturday until gardens are no longer producing, due to frost. To reserve your space contact Kelly at 541-573-1809 or harneycountyfarmersmarket@live.com.

Fall Fun and Games Trapshoot presented by Burns Butte Sportsman’s Club will be held on Sept. 26. Practice begins at 9:30 a.m. and the shoot begins at 10 a.m. Located at the Range on Radar Hill, all levels of shooters welcome, and lunch is available.

Malheur Wildlife Refuge will have a “listening post” set up at Frenchglen Hotel on Sept. 26, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., for comment on the preparation and planning of its Comprehensive Conservation Plan.

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

Alcoholics Anonymous meets 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 to 3 p.m. There is no charge for the clinic and results can be forwarded to a physician or nurse practitioner at your request.

Harney County Library Advisory Board meets the last Monday of each month (except for those dates that fall on national holidays) in the library, 80 West D St., at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. Use the back door to the left. For more information, call 573-7339.

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.

HDH Sports & Physical Therapy will offer a free athletic injury clinic at that facility, 559 West Washington, every Monday from 5 to 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.

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

The Hines Volunteer Fire Department meets at the Hines Fire Hall each Monday at 7 p.m. (except the last Monday of the month). Prospective members may contact Fire Chief Bob Spence at 573-7477 or 573-2251.

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

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.

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.

All 0 to 3-year-olds and their parents are welcome to attend play group at the Early Childhood Center at 655 W. Fillmore, weekly on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

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.

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

In other business, board appoints Doug Gunderson to fill Gordon Mallon’s seat

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

The Harney County School District No. 3 is already preparing for the H1N1 virus (swine flu) according to Superintendent Bob Sari.
At the Sept. 8 meeting, Sari explained to the school board that because those ages 6 months to 24 years are the most susceptible to the virus, the district needs to be prepared in the event there is a large outbreak here. Prevention is key, so he noted that cleaning procedures and simply keeping sick children home are a couple of key components. However, he said that as the flu season approaches, the district will be partnering with the Harney County Health Department to offer students vaccines.

“The burden falls on the community,” Sari said regarding how important it is for everyone to prevent the spread of the virus.

•••

The Harney County District No. 3 School Board swore in a new member on Sept. 8 in Doug Gunderson.

Originally, there were two letters of interest for the seat vacated by Gordon Mallon. Gunderson and Tim Colahan both initially expressed interest in serving on the board, but Colahan pulled his name from consideration saying he thought he would be seen as a polarizing figure.

That left the board with Gunderson, who stated that as a parent and coach (wrestling) he felt ready to tackle some issues, though he said he had no hidden agenda.

In other business:

• Superintendent Sari stated that the first week of school went off without a hitch and that the teachers and staff at all the buildings worked hard to make sure that students have a warm, friendly and non-confrontational atmosphere in which to learn.He also noted that he felt the district population was holding steady with a total of 403 students at Slater Elementary School, 195 at Hines Middle School, 333 at Burns High School, 17 at Eastern Oregon Academy and 150 in the Silvies Web Academy, for a grand total of  1,098 students;

• Superintendent Sari said that he was contacted by the City of Burns regarding the park located behind the Lincoln building. The park needs some work, and  Sari said that they will be looking for some grants to help with the renovations. He said there are several ideas on what could be done with the area. Installing some sand volleyball courts or basketball courts were both mentioned;

• Business Manager Petrina White said that the former Monaco Coach Corp. donated a bunch of office supplies, desks and a welding table to the school district, and said the district was very appreciative of the donation.

White also noted that the district completed its transportation report and that the district transports 410 kids each school day and that the buses average 82,000 miles of travel. She said the the 410 number is high compared to other districts in the state;

• Bond Project Manager Bill Renwick stated that the Hines Middle School (HMS) gym is now finished, and the pellet bin at the high school is still under construction.

• HMS Principal Gail Buermann stated that she was pleased with the HMS open house held on Sept. 2. She estimated that 60 percent of HMS parents participated in the event.

She also stated that even after moving some number around, she doesn’t think HMS will pass the average yearly progress (AYP) state testing;

• Burns High School Associated Student Body Co-Presidents Natalie Wassom and Philip Kness told the board that they will be concentrating on getting the community involved in supporting the schools. They also talked about the BHS student store, which is a place for students to hang out and buy supplies. The store is run by students in leadership and FFA;

• at the end of the regular meeting, the board went into executive session to discuss negotiations.

The next Harney County District No. 3 School Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Lincoln building.