Annual Zeta Sigma Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Hines City Park on April 3, at 10 a.m. The hunts will be for kids ages 1-8. Hot Chocolate and cookies will be available for donations to go toward Medical Teams International/Haiti relief.

Diabetes Support Group meets at the Harney County Health Building, 420 North Fairview, the first Saturday of each month at 2 p.m.

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

Burns Christian Church is offering a free pancake breakfast at the Burns Elks Lodge on Easter Sunday, April 4, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Following the pancake breakfast an Easter service will be held at the Desert Historic Theatre at 10 a.m. During the service local police officers, firefighters and the emergency medical service personnel will be honored.

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.

Glutton for Publishment — Submitting Your Creative Work: Visiting author Kristy Athens will hold a two-part writing workshop from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, and Tuesday, April 20, at the Harney County Library. April 6 will focus on discussing works in progress and publishing opportunities. Participants should bring several copies of their work to share with the group, maximum 10 pages of manuscript. The April 20 workshop will include more feedback on shared works. There is no charge. For more information, call Kate at 541-573-7204.

Harney Basin Writers meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the Harney County Library, from 2 to 4 p.m. Writers of any age and writing style are encouraged to attend.

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 Liz Taylor  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.

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.

Open house will be one of several held around the state

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

An open house to discuss Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy will be held Tuesday, May 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Community Center in Burns.

The open house is one in a series being held around the state this spring to receive public input on water quality, water quantity and other water-related topics.

Ivan Gall with the Water Resources Department told the county court at their meeting on Wednesday, March 17, “This is a big deal. There hasn’t been anything like this in recent decades.”

Gall said it was critical to get local involvement in the strategy process and people shouldn’t be shy about stepping forward with their concerns. “In Baker County, some people are scared of this. It’s being sold as a grab on water rights, and it’s not our intention to gut Oregon water laws,” Gall said. “There are those who are scared or skeptical of the process, and I don’t want that to happen. We want to know what people see as issues and what are the solutions. What it could turn into, I don’t know. Depends on the input we receive.”

Judge Steve Grasty said he would like to see things stay flexible, but it seems that rules and regulations keep getting tighter.
Grasty added that he had concerns about the “anti’s” having better strategies to present their side of the discussion. “How do you integrate those that make less of a presentation to be heard?” Grasty asked. “How do we tell our story better?”

Commissioner Jack Drinkwater said some people he had talked to were concerned with measuring water. “If it’s measured off to what their water right says, they’re afraid they won’t get what they need,” he said.

Gall explained the measuring might actually allow people to receive more water. “Some aren’t getting what they deserve,” Gall said.
Commissioner Dan Nichols felt the state should be working on some sort of statewide water storage.

Gall and Tony Rutherford, Harney County Watermaster, discussed the Silvies River-Foley Slough issues, and said they are moving toward a solution. “Our goal is to take a limited resource and spread it as far as it will go,” Gall said.

Rutherford also reported on the snow pack for this yea. There is about 91 percent of average for the Harney basin. “We should have more water than last year,” he said.

State Representative Cliff Bentz was in attendance to visit with the court about the state legislature as well as county issues.
Bentz told the court he would like them to come up with a list of issues they would like him to work on in the legislature.
Grasty wondered why the state isn’t on board with some of the issues the county has to deal with.

Nichols stated the legislation continues to raise the angst of citizens over and over again. “When is the legislature going to look at the business of running the state?” Nichols asked. “There are always more fees, increased taxation and more regulations. Every six months or so, something else comes up.”

As for the state’s economy, Bentz said at this time it looks like the state will face a $2.5 to $3 billion shortfall in the next biennium.

In other business:

• Economic Development Coordinator Mark Maliwauki told the court he had submitted his resignation, effective May 31.
Maliwauki also presented a proposal from World Economic Development Alliance (WEDA) and discussed how WEDA had benefitted the county in the past.

The court agreed to a 12-month proposal from WEDA at a cost of $4,950 and directed Maliwauki to pursue it further;

• Joan Suther and Christi Courtemanche of the BLM were in attendance to give an update on the Steens Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC). They discussed the current vacancy on the council and the upcoming nominations. The court would like to stay involved with SMAC and asked to be kept informed;

• the court passed a motion to keep moving forward with a new computer system for the clerk’s and tax assessor’s offices.

• the court opened two bids received for a new pick-up truck to be used for community corrections. Burns Ford submitted a bid for $26,237.65 and Teague Motor Co. a bid of $28,450. The bids were turned over to the sheriff to see if they met specifications, and a decision would be made later;

• the court opened five bids received for the window and door replacement project at the Harney County Library. Bid amounts are: 2L Construction  $77,952, Cole Wensenk $77,375. Philip Sitz Construction $84,535, Lyle Stratton $49,973 and Rise & Run Construction $89,158. The court instructed the bids to be turned over to Anderson-Perry & Associates to make sure they met specifications, and the court would award the bid at their next meeting on April 7.

Kristy Athens, the 2010 Harney County Writer-in-Residence, along with the 2009 Writer-in-Residence, Angela Allen, will participate in the March 27 SWAN (Support Women Artists Now) Day at the Harney County Library by reading from their published works.

Athens arrived in Harney County on March 1 and has been busy at schools in Frenchglen, Crane and Diamond.  During spring break, she will have a workshop at the Kids Club, then teach Suntex and Double O students the following week.

Along with being a published freelance writer and editor, Athens was a long-time coordinator of the Oregon Book Awards (OBA) Author Tour and has come to Burns many times with the OBA authors. She has worked with people of all ages via SMART (Start Making a Reader Today), Writers in the Schools, Write Around Portland and workshops for adults.

Workshop dates and times for the general public to interact with the writer-in-residence are listed below. Watch for workshops scheduled through Treasure Valley Community College Outreach Center, also in April. A theatrical “read-around” is in the works as a pro-active fund raiser for the Harney County Writer-In-Residence program.

Athens’ schedule is as follows:

• Friday, March 26, 2-4 p.m., at Kids Club of Harney County.

• Saturday, March 27, noon to 4 p.m. Harney County Library during the SWAN event.

• Tuesday, April 6, 2-5 p.m., Workshop Part 1 of 2 at the Harney County Library.

• Saturday, April 10, 1-3 p.m. at Triangle Park, Burns. Outdoor workshop with focus on En Plein Air writing.

• Tuesday, April 20, 2-5 p.m., Workshop Part 2 of 2 at the Harney County Library.

• Friday, April 30, 5-8 p.m. Farewell party and readings by  Athens at the Community Center.

For more information about the Harney County Writer-in-Residence program and workshops, contact coordinators Carolyn Koskela at 541-493-2404 and Kate Marsh-Copeland at 541-573-7204.

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

Athletes who participated in the winter sports programs at Crane Union High School were honored at an award ceremony on March 18.

Dancers, basketball players and wrestlers received recognition for their achievements during their respective seasons.

Scholar athletes
Presented by Athletic Director Chuck Steeves
Hannah Buermann, Brenda Otley, Blake Steeves, Royal Henricks, Lewis Whiting, Jesse Northrop, Savannah Duff, September O’Crowley, Brooke Nyman, Natalie Bentz, Iris Gunkel, Milton Merritt, Gus Titus, Michael Rothgeb, Pete Joyce, Helge Bjerck.

Dance team
Presented by Coach Glennie Cargill
Special Award
Best dancer — Beth Milburn
J.V. letters
Janessa Fowles, Carrie Milburn.
Varsity letters
Katrina Valentine, Natasha Culp, Shayla Lundy, Cassidy Corrigan, Nichole Bentz, Shannon Norris, Beth Milburn, Iris Gunkel, Natalie Bentz.

Girls basketball
Presented by Head Coach Stub Travis, Assistant Coach Darwin Dunten and Assistant Coach Dusti Oelke
Special Awards
Most valuable players — Natalie Bentz and September O’Crowley.
Most improved — Brenda Otley.
Most inspirational — Brooke Nyman.
Defensive players — Hannah Buermann and Brenda Otley.
High Desert League
High Desert League player of the year — September O’Crowley.
First team — Brooke Nyman, Natalie Bentz and September O’Crowley.
Second team — Hannah Buermann.
Honorable mention — Emilee O’Toole.
All-State
First team — Natalie Bentz.
Second team — September O’Crowley.
J.V. letters
Paige Landon, Hannah Steeves, Alycia Jenkins, Nichole Bentz, Cassidy Corrigan, Brandi Carlon, Shayla Lundy, Kendra Arnold.
Varsity letters
Natalie Bentz, Brooke Nyman, September O’Crowley, Savannah Duff, Emilee O’Toole, Brenda Otley, Hannah Buermann, manager Iris Gunkel.

Boys basketball
Presented by Head Coach Mick Miller, Assistant Coach Chance Miller and Assistant Coach Stub Travis
Special Awards
Most valuable player — Jeran Conaway.
Most inspirational — T.J. Potter.
Most improved — Cole Maupin.
High Desert League
First team — Jeran Conaway.
Second team — Royal Henricks, Ryan Opie, Blake Steeves.
Honorable mention — Cole Maupin.
J.V. letters
Riley Joyce, Erik Davies, Jacob Rothgeb, Raymond Peterson, Levi Miller, Wilson Witzel, Ty Harris, Lance Moser.
Varsity letters
Nic Nyman, Ryan Opie, T.J. Potter, Cole Maupin, Jesse Northrop, Royal Henricks, Blake Steeves, Jeran Conaway, Milton Merritt, Max Miller, Pete Joyce.

Wrestling
Presented by Coach David Doman and Assistant Coach Jeremy Clark
Special Awards
Most outstanding — Josh Williams.
Most improved — Kenny Haworth.
Most inspirational — Lewis Whiting.
J.V. letters
Matt Kelly, Paul Bubnash, Adam Carleton.
Varsity letters
Wyatt Clark, Thomas O’Toole, Mitch Willson, Elizabeth Davis, Gus Titus, Matt Davis, Lewis Whiting, Cody Davis, Zach Cody, Dan O’Crowley, Tanner Titus, Greg Thompson, Josh Williams, Kenny Haworth, Justin Davis, Cash Casey, Ben Huerta, Donald McDermond, Sam Stone.

Managers/statisticians
Carolann Tracy, Sarah Kling, Heather Ketscher, Kailee Davis, Rebekah Titus.

Joseph Cassell Tiller died on March 15.

He was born on July 31, 1922, in Caldwell, Idaho, to Pluribus and Tacie Tiller.

In 1925, his family moved to Burns, where his father took a job managing the local Safeway store. Tiller attended school in Burns and graduated from Burns High School in 1940. After high school he worked in the shipyards during World War II, and after the war ended, he returned home to work on the family ranch, which was then located in the Rye Grass Lane area.

On Sept. 16, 1945, Tiller married Elisa Ramirez. They had three daughters together — Julie, Angie and Melanie.

After leaving the ranch, Tiller worked at the Harney County Assessor’s office as an appraiser for a number of years. He then began his own hay contracting business, which was a vocation he truly loved as he was able to be outside in God’s creation, something he never took for granted.

On Nov. 27, 1970, Tiller married Ruby Castle. They were married just shy of 40 years.

Tiller was an avid hunter and was very active in the local bowling league for many years. He loved to watch all varieties of sports, depending on the season. Above all else, he loved his God and his church.

Tiller is survived by his wife, Ruby; daughters, Angie Tiller of Burns and Melanie Epping and husband Curtis of Long Beach, Wash.; brother, Earl Tiller and wife Verda of Burns;  step-sons, Gary Moss and wife Dina of Gresham and Mike Moss of Burns; and nephews, Don Swindlehurst and wife Carol Ann of Bend, Joel Swindlehurst and wife Merlena of Hines, Scott Swindlehurst and wife Christy of Unity, and Ted Tiller and wife Shellie of Hines.

He is also survived by seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous friends.

Tiller was preceded in death by his parents, Pluribus and Tacie Tiller; sisters, Ruth Elaine Tiller and Virginia Swindlehurst; brothers, Royce and Donald Tiller; and daughter, Julie Tiller.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Tiller’s memory may be made to Harney County Save-A-Stray or Hillcrest Church of Christ, in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720.

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 Junior High School, 550 North Court, at 7 p.m.

Storytime for preschoolers at the Harney County Library will not be held on March 24, due to spring break. It will resume on March 31.

Bring the babies to Lapsit Storytime at Harney County Library, each Wednesday at 10 a.m. Enjoy music, stories, rhymes and fingerplays especially for babies and toddlers.

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

Alcoholics Anonymous meets each Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Four Square Church, 74 S. Alvord, Burns.

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 meets the fourth Thursday of each month at the Rory and Ryan Best Western in Hines from 5-7:30 p.m. 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 Ave., at noon.  The public is welcome.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets each Thursday at Hines City Hall, 101 East Barnes, at noon. Call 541-573-2896.

Narcotics Anonymous meets each Thursday at 7 p.m. at Four Square Church, 74 S. Alvord, Burns.