Friday morning book club with Lisa at Harney County Library is held from 9-10 a.m. each Friday with stories and crafts for ages 7-10.

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

A Preparedness Fair will be held at the Crane LDS Church Building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30.

The 60th annual Harney County Chamber Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Harney County Fairgrounds Memorial Building. A no-host social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and awards presentations to start at 6:30 p.m.

The Burnt River Snowmobile Club will hold a poker run on Saturday, Jan. 30. For more information, call 541-446-3655.

ALANON meets each Saturday at 7 p.m. at Four Square Church, 74 S. Alvord, Burns.

Valley Golf Club will hold their annual member meeting on Sunday, Jan. 31, at 2 p.m. at the club.

The Harney County Ministerial Association holds services every fifth Sunday. The community is invited to join in a time of music, fellowship and praise. For information contact Pastor Jean Hurst, 573-4141.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets each Sunday at Foursquare Church for 12X12 study, 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.

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 541-573-1543.

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 541-573-7477 or 541-573-2251.

Narcotics Anonymous meets each Monday at 7 p.m. at Foursquare Church, 74 S. Alvord, Burns.

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.

Harney Basin Writers meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Harney County Library, from 2-4 p.m.; and the third Tuesday of each month at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church Hall at the corner of Diamond and “A” Streets, from 7-9 p.m.

Silvies River Spinners meets the first Tuesday of each month at Native Circle, 90 W. Adams in Burns, at 5:30 p.m.

Harney Hospital Foundation meets the first Tuesday of each month in the Hospital Conference Room at 7 p.m.

Sylvia Rebekah Lodge meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at the I.O.O.F. Hall, 348 North Broadway at 6:30 p.m.

The Chamber Orchestra meets the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Burns High School band room, 1100 Oregon Avenue, from 7-8:30 p.m. with Ken Peckham directing.

Harney County Democratic Party meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Harney County Courthouse, 450 North Buena Vista, at 7 p.m.

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 1-3 p.m. For any questions on Medicare A, B, C or D, or for appointments call the Senior Center at 541-573-6024.

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 meets each Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Foursquare Church, 74 S. Alvord, Burns.

Julia Olson took over on Dec. 15

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

About two weeks before the start of the new year, Julia Olson began her new endeavor as Executive Director at the Harney County Chamber  of Commerce.

Olson started her new job on Dec. 15 after working the previous nine months as the office coordinator for the chamber. Olson said that by working as the office coordinator, she had the opportunity to meet a lot of business owners as well as learn about the chamber, so it was a fairly easy transition to take over when the previous director Jessica Boone left.

Olson said her parents had purchased property near Andrews about five years ago, and she began visiting the area at that time. “I absolutely fell in love with the country around here,” Olson said. She moved from Amity to her parents’ property in September 2008, but realizing there were no jobs in the south end of the county, she moved to Burns.

Olson said she started putting her resume out around town to find a job and eventually was hired as an assistant track coach at Burns High School. In March 2009, she began her office coordinator position at the chamber.

Olson has been kept busy with the chamber awards banquet coming up on Saturday, Jan. 30, and preparing for the 2010 John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival.

Olson noted that one of her goals as chamber director is to increase membership. “I’d like to get the word out that we’re here to help businesses,” she said. “Another goal would be to bring the chamber more exposure and let the community know what we’re doing for them.”

Although she hasn’t lived in Harney County all that long, her enthusiasm is evident. “The people here have really preserved the history, and that’s what makes this place so special: the country and the people,” she said.

Jan. 9 event involved 12 speakers from across state

By Tim Smith
Harney Tea Party Committee for Burns Times-Herald

Harney County and Southeast Oregon citizens hosted their first People’s Tea Party on Saturday, Jan. 9. About 300 citizens gathered in Burns, in spite of typical cold winter conditions, to listen to and question 12 speakers from across Oregon about the issues that are facing Oregon and the nation.

The emphasis of the Tea Party was on tax Measures 66 and 67 and controlling the infringement of government on the private sector. Other topics of concern were cap and trade, education, water, job creation, patriotism, federal control of health care, freedom of speech and voter importance.

Participants of the Harney Tea Party, held at the Burns Elks Lodge included the Cascade Policy Institute, Oregonians In Action, FreedomWorks, Americans For Prosperity, Harney County 9/12, Harney County Republicans, Oregon Firearms Federation, Senator Ted Ferrioli, Allen Alley, Common Sense for Oregon and Voter Impact Project. Local citizens participated with the speakers in four public comment and question and answer periods.

All of the speakers present had some firm common opinions. They warned that passing Measures 66 and 67 would be economically disastrous for Oregon and that these measures were not at all about cutting education, as suggested by ads; they encouraged all citizens to stay involved and be more informed; and were glad to see that Harney County is clearly concerned about its future.

After five hours of presentations and discussions about the need for changes in our government, the participants completed the program with a pledge adapted from the Declaration of Independence. The participants stood and solemnly pledged — “We here assembled do pledge to right these wrongs, to return our nation to the people and to reaffirm and reinstitute the principles of our founding fathers and Constitution. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”

Sponsorship for the event came solely from local citizens and organizations. A second Harney County People’s Tea Party is planned for late summer 2010.

At board meeting, Bob Sari explained the potential ramifications of Measures 66 and 67

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

At the Jan. 12 board meeting, Harney County District No. 3 School District Superintendent Bob Sari provided the board with information on how Measures 66 and 67 would affect the school district.

The ballots for the Jan. 26 special election have already been mailed out and Oregonians will decide whether to pass Measures 66 and 67, which would institute a $733 million tax hike enacted by the Oregon State Legislature in 2009. The measures would increase the corporate minimum tax from $10 to $150 and raise taxes on households that make more than $250,000 per year or individuals who make more than $125,000 per year.

Proponents of the measures say the money will go to fund education, health care, public safety and other services. Superintendent Sari noted that if the measures fail, the Burns-Hines school district could face a $500,000 budget shortfall.

Opponents argue that the tax hike would hurt small businesses.

Sari told the school board that the majority of Oregonians, 98 percent, will not be affected by the potential tax raise. However, if the measures fail he said he is working on grants and other ways to combat the considerable budget shortfall that would likely result.

In other business:

• Superintendent Sari noted that the district is looking to prevent the spread of infection that could result from another wave of H1N1 influenza. He said that he hoped parents would keep sick children home to prevent the spread of the virus;

• Business manager Petrina White said that at this point the district’s ending fund balance for the year looks like it will be $290,000. Of course, that is subject to change;

• Slater principal Gayle Mackey said that she found a good deal on playground equipment with a company that has a surplus of material. The company agreed to match Slater’s amount, so they can buy more equipment. Mackey said that local businesses have agreed to help install the equipment sometime next summer.

Mackey said that there was about 94 percent attendance for Slater parent-teacher conferences.

She also thanked Shana Withee for her work on their holiday shop, where kids can buy inexpensive presents for their family members;

• Hines Middle School principal Gail Buermann talked about a Tooth Taxi program that they are looking at offering for low income students in need of dental care.

She also commended her staff for being willing to critique themselves and improve.

• Student services director Geoff Robinson said he is working with a team on strategic planning for what to do with Title 2A grant funds totaling about $60,000.

He also talked about a new approach to staff development. This year, the district will have staff development days for three days after school is let out in June. Staff will participate in writing workshops and sessions on Singapore math;

• the board organized tours of the facilities with bond project manager Bill Renwick. One tour took place on Jan. 15 and the other is scheduled for Jan. 29;

• the board accepted the resignations of Dan Cashen who was a custodian at Burns High School (BHS); Jill Zaharko from her position as head track coach at BHS; and Julia Olsen from her position as assistant track coach at BHS;

• the board adopted policies regarding criminal record checks, graduation requirements, hazing and harassment and reporting requirements regarding sexual conduct with students. The board also conducted second readings on a number of policies relating to educational philosophy, district goals, board meetings and board member conduct, resignation of staff, human sexuality, graduation exercises and student policy objectives.

The next Harney County District No. 3 Board meeting  will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at the district office.

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

On Saturday, Jan. 23, the Burns High School gymnasium will be teeming with more than 100 young wrestlers as the Hi Desert Mat Club hosts the Les Schwab Buckle Classic wrestling tournament.

Tournament organizers are expecting competitors from Roseburg, Pleasant Hill, Redmond, Bend, Prineville, Madras and Western Idaho, weather permitting.

This is the only tournament to be held in Burns this winter, and the wrestlers will be handsomely rewarded. Each weight class winner will receive a Montana Silversmiths belt buckle and every competitor will take home a medal.

The mat club

Started about 30 years ago, the Hi Desert Mat Club is still going strong with around 75 kids, aged 3 to 13, taking part this year.

The club is part of USA Wrestling, and is organized locally by a board of directors, who this year include president Lisa King, vice president Penny Peasley, secretary Laura Moulton, treasurer Lori Bailey and tournament director Geoff Robinson.

Coaches for the team this year include co-head coaches Dan Gonzales and Doug Gunderson, Mike Simpson, Jay Winn, Ed Moulton, Matt King, Darryl Williams, Kenny Peasley, Brad Barnes and Robinson.

The season usually begins in late October, once youth football is over, and wraps up with the state tournament in early February.

Although the club has remained viable, the main challenges the board faces are the use of a facility and borrowing mats. This year, the club split into two groups, with the more experienced wrestlers using the high school practice area, and the others practicing at the Burns Armory on mats borrowed from Hines Middle School. “But now junior high wrestling has started, so the mats have been moved to the gym at the schools district office building and that’s where they practice,” Bailey said.

King added that a mother of a wrestler is working on a grant so the club can purchase their own mats. “If we could find a permanent facility and buy our own mats, that would help a lot,” she said.

The club is open to all Harney County youth, and the board has also discussed the possibility of organizing a shuttle between Burns and Crane to ease the transportation load on Crane parents if their kids want to participate.

Wrestling success

With the Burns Hilanders having won eight consecutive 3A state wrestling titles, and the Crane Mustangs becoming an annual contender in the 1A ranks, it’s easy to see the connection between the mat club and the success at the high school level.

Robinson said the young kids idolize the high school team, and that spurs them on to join the mat club. The experience they gain on the mat at a young age then benefits the high school team. “It’s a huge impact on both teams,” Robinson said. “The wrestlers we’re working with now will be the ones taking over the high school team in a few years.”

King is also quick to point out that the commitment of parents is also a big part of Harney County’s wrestling success. Parents have to get their kids to practice every day, as well as drive to tournaments almost every weekend.

Les Schwab Buckle Classic

With the costs incurred of putting on a tournament, the board is extremely grateful for the local Les Schwab Tire Center stepping up to sponsor the event.

The club also raises funds with cookie dough sales, and  a drawing for a rifle (the winner’s name will be drawn the day of the tournament).

The board has been busy lining up everyone needed to put on a tournament, including two former Hilander wrestlers, John and Mike Schaff, and Dan Winn and Parker McKinley to serve as referees for the Peewee division matches. “If anyone wants to volunteer to help, we could still use them,” King said.

The tournament begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, and anyone interested in helping out may contact Lisa King at 541-573-2880.

•••

The Hi Desert Mat Club competed at the Madras tournament on Saturday, Jan. 16.
Individual results are as follows:

Peewee division
Kempton Richardson, 27 lbs. — 4th
Ethan Peasley, 40 lbs.  — 1st

Bantam division
Devin Dickie, 40 lbs. — 1st
Oliver Barnes, 40 lbs. — 2nd
Justin Winn, 50 lbs. — 1st
Ian Dawson, 50 lbs. — 5th
Mason Attleberger, 50 lbs. — 2nd
Anthony Moulton, 55 lbs. — 1st
Cameron Moore, 60 pounds — 1st
Harlen Gunderson, 60 lbs. — 2nd
Colby Bryant, 65 lbs. — 1st

Intermediate division
Parker Robinson, 65 lbs. — 1st
Garrett Goss-Bodily, 65 lbs. — 2nd
John Berry Rose, 65 lbs. — 2nd
Mick Winn, 70 lbs. — 3rd

Novice division
Evan Gunderson, 70 lbs. — 1st
Ryan Spurlock, 70 lbs. — 2nd
Jonathon Gonzalez, 80 lbs. — 2nd
Bryce Goss, 100 lbs. — 1st

Bensell Lewis Breon Sr., 68, of Burns died on Jan. 7 of natural causes at his home.

He was born  on May 22, 1941, in Corvallis to Lewis Eugene Breon and Mary Alice (Bensell) Breon.

Breon graduated from Siletz High School in 1959 and attended Western Oregon University, graduating with a bachelor of arts.

He married his first wife, Geraldine C. Simpson in 1966. They had one son together. They divorced in 1968.

Breon worked as a logger for Georgia Pacific and was also a school teacher. He taught at Mapleton Elementary School from 1966 to 1967 and at Dayville Junior High School from 1967 to 1972. Soon after, he began his ranching career.

He married his second wife, Marjorie May McVicker, in 1975. They were married until her death in 2008.

In 1979, the couple moved from Dayville to Paulina. They bought and sold a number of ranches before moving to their last home and ranch in Burns just after the turn of the new millennium.

He was a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians as well as a tribal elder.

Breon served on the Siletz Tribal Council, Sacred Lands Committee and Commission on Indian Services.

He was also an Eagle Scout, a member of the Eastern Star, Order of the Ameranth and a member of the Methodist Church in Siletz, where he was baptized.

Breon enjoyed history, hunting and attending auction sales.

He is survived by his son, Bensell L. Breon, Jr. of Siletz; grandchild, Allie Breon; sister, Rosemary Landis and husband Gene of Brightwood; brother, Ronald Lee Smith, Jr. and wife Sandy of Scottsburg; two nephews; three nieces; and several grandnephews and grandnieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mary Alice (Bensell) Muncey and Lewis Eugene Breon; and second wife Marjorie (McVicker) Breon.

A service was held on Jan. 14 at the Siletz Tribal Community Center, followed by a final ceremony at the Breon Family Cemetery and a reception at the Tribal Community Center.

Donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.