Ranch House Coffee offers a place to sit and linger over a cup of Joe

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

Jeni Stevens opened Ranch House Coffee in February of this year to provide Harney County residents with a comfortable place to hang out and chat with friends while enjoying an espresso drink.

She developed the Ranch House Coffee concept in talking with locals about the kind of coffeehouse they wanted in Burns. Ranchers and farmers wanted a place they could walk into and not be afraid of getting mud or hay on the floor. Local professionals wanted a place they could get healthy take out for lunch.

Stevens decided to combine rustic decor with a menu full of soups, sandwiches and a salad bar in hopes of creating a relaxed, welcoming coffeehouse that everyone would enjoy.

Ranch House Coffee, located at 83 W. Washington in downtown Burns, has been doing a brisk business since opening earlier this year. While customers stop in to get their morning coffee, Stevens said lunch time is when things really get busy. “I need to find a way to add more seating,” she said.

Stevens was born and raised in Hillsboro and worked for seven years as a Regional Foods Specialist for Starbucks. As part of her duties she traveled the Northwest region, going from Starbucks to Starbucks checking on food quality.

About three years ago, Stevens moved to Harney County after marrying her husband, David Ward. Ward works for Harney County Parole and Probation, but is currently serving a 13-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Stevens’ experience with Starbucks has come in handy in running her own full service coffee house. “I can pretty much make any espresso drink you want,” she said. And if she hasn’t heard of it, she can usually figure it out if you describe it to her.

The coffee brewed at Ranch House is her own blend of beans. The Ranch House blend is smooth and dark, while the Long Horn blend is a little lighter and brighter, according to Stevens.

Pastries on the menu include scones, muffins, cookies, biscotti and bundt cakes, some of which are made by Dana Copenhaver. Stevens said she would like to add Danish and a German chocolate brownie to the list.

Lunch items change monthly (sometimes weekly) and include soups, paninis, sandwiches and salad bar. In September, Stevens anticipates adding soup bread bowls and a baked potato bar. “I think we try and offer a little bit of a healthier option,” she said as far as lunches go. “I like to come up with fast food options that aren’t fast food.”

Stevens said in the future, she may add a delivery service for area businesses. She noted that when customers only have a 30-minute lunch, it can be hard to get in and out quickly enough to get back to work on time. So a delivery service would help. She also noted that people can call in orders so they are ready to pick up when they arrive at the coffee house.

Another future priority will be adding wireless Internet access.

Stevens said that what she enjoys most about her Burns business is the customer interaction. “Everybody’s friendly. If people come in and there’s no place to sit, they usually know somebody who invites them to sit at their table,” she said. “I call it the “Cheers” syndrome — when everybody knows you. That would never happen in Portland.”

Ranch House Coffee, 83 W. Washington, is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Owners hope to open more stores in other rural towns

Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

Just A Buck $tore, located at 302 S. Broadway, will host its grand opening starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30.

The dollar store will stock household items such as paper towels, garbage bags, aluminum foil, cleaning supplies, school and office items as well as shampoo and toiletries. Food products such as cereal, coffee and munchies will also be on hand. Co-owners Judith McClain and Robert Rogers said everything in the store will be either $1 or $2. McClain said they also plan to carry seasonal items throughout the year.

McClain and Rogers have been working on opening a dollar store in Harney County for the last nine months. They were simply waiting to find the right location. The building on South Broadway, a block down from Burns City Hall, was the perfect solution as half of it will house the store and the other half will be used as a warehouse.

McClain and Rogers hope to open more dollar stores in other rural towns such as John Day and Lakeview. The Burns store would serve as a warehouse and distribution center for the whole operation. In this economy, with gas prices being what they are, McClain said such stores are needed to supply rural folks with basic household supplies that are used on a daily basis.

“We’re keeping the money in our community, and that’s good for all of us,” Rogers said.

Just A Buck $tore will host its grand opening starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30. After that, regular store hours will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. McClain said the store will not accept checks. Cash, credit cards and debit cards are the preferred forms of payment.

School district given permission to install fence

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

The Harney County Court took a field trip to Crane on Aug. 20 to look at the Crane Union High School track. The visit was for the purpose of making an evaluation on a request by the high school for an easement onto the right-of-way of a county road.

When the Crane track was resurfaced, the improvements placed the track to within two feet of the existing fence and boundary line. The high school board requested to the court that the fence line be moved back 20 feet, to allow space for bleachers between the track and the fence. This adjustment would put the fence line approximately 5-10 feet from the travel portion of county road running north and south, parallel to the track.

After a site visit, members of the court returned to the courthouse to discuss the issues of the project and render a decision. The issues brought up by the public, the court and the school board included traffic safety, snow removal, senior citizen parking during football games and protecting the right-of-way for the future.

Commissioner Jack Drinkwater argued that “without the school, there isn’t a town.” Stating he didn’t see a problem with moving the fence to accommodate the request.

Commissioner Dan Nichols asked, “When do you quit bending? This will set an example. Equitable is equitable, so what are we going to do when the next request comes?”

After discussion, and advice from legal council, the court made the decision to allow the fence to be moved 20 feet, with the stipulation that no permanent structures can be placed within the allowed distance, and the county has the option of terminating the agreement if deemed necessary in the future.

•••

In other court business, Judge Steve Grasty presented a copy of a request from ranchers along the Silvies River to change the water preference of the river from irrigation to stock water, in light of the current drought situation. Ranchers on the southern end of the river are objecting to irrigation on the northern end, which they say is taking all of the water.

Grasty had contacted Ivan Gall, Manager of the Eastern Region of the Oregon Water Resources Department, to find out the rules and regulations of changing the water preference.

Gall’s response to Grasty stated that due to the late date, getting a change for this water year would probably be unnecessary. “The last irrigator will remove boards on the dam, typically by mid-September, and the remaining small streamflow (currently 6.40 cubic feet per second and dropping) will make its way through the system.”

The court made the decision to pursue a change in the Silvies decree for future years, which would give preference to stock water. Grasty said he would also contact the parties immediately involved and ask them to try to come to a peaceful solution for this year.

•••

Following repeated controversy between residents in the area, the court signed an order for a survey and study to be done on Penland Road, off East Steens Road at Andrews. The study will be done by Harney County Road Superintendent Kerry Landers.

The court ordered the study because existing records on Penland Road are inaccurate and incomplete and the original survey documents have been lost or destroyed. The study will include county maintenance records, public use records, power company use, and possible testimony from past county officials.

Following the study, the court will hold a hearing to make the decision whether Penland Road is a county road.

•••

Harney County Librarian Cheryl Hancock presented a request to appoint Diane Smith to the Library Advisory Board. With the appointment of Smith, one vacancy remains on the board.

Hancock also updated the court on changes at the library, including circulation policy changes and schedule changes.
The library will hold a book sale on Sept. 13.

Cyclist hopes his own tragic experience will raise awareness

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

While bicycling near his home on June, 2006, Pearson Constantino of upstate New York, was hit from behind by a sport-utility vehicle. The impact knocked Constantino off his bike and broke his left femur, crushed his lumbar vertebra and left him with head trauma. The driver who hit him fled the scene, leaving Constantino unconscious under a parked vehicle.

Two years and hundreds of hours of physical therapy later, Constantino and his brother, Peter, are traveling from the West Coast to the East Coast to promote safe co-existence between bicycles and motor vehicles. Constantino said that while recovering he has, “dreamed of that irreplaceable sensation and freedom that comes with riding. I willed myself to heal faster.”

On Aug. 12, Constantino’s 30th birthday, the brothers left Newport on their cross-country trek to Cape Cod, Mass. The trip is expected to take approximately seven weeks, following U.S. 20 about 3,500 miles. Along the way, Constantino hopes to share the story of his come-back with schools, cycle organizations and communities through 12 states.

The trip is also being filmed by Constantino’s wife, Julia Wrona, and will be made into a documentary. Wrona has chronicled Constantino’s recovery and training, and will be with her husband every mile across America. The project has been given 501c3 non-profit status through the Film Forum in New York City.

Constantino said he would like to use the film to lobby Congress, saying that  accidents such as his happen more often than people realize. In 2006, 44,000 cyclists were injured by motor vehicles in the United States. Of the driver that hit  Constantino’s, he said, “I want him to know his habits behind the wheel that morning forever altered my life. But I am using anger as motivation to ride, to share my story and to work to change the driving culture of our roads.”

On Saturday, Aug. 16, the cycling brothers and their two-person film crew, made their way through Harney County, reaching Juntura by evening. During the long pedal across the desert between Bend and Riley, the brothers said there were very few motorists who were not respectful to the cyclists. “There’s usually one or two a day,” said Constantino.

For more information on Constantino’s bicycle trip, and the film, go to:
www.longbikeback.com.

Water and sewer rates increase

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

The Burns City Council is down one council member.

Mayor Laura Van Cleave began the Aug. 13 meeting by reading a resignation letter from Councilor Len Vohs, who was not in attendance.
In the letter Vohs stated that, “due to recent events and on the advice of my physician,” he had decided to resign from his seat on the council and would not be running for mayor in the November election.

He wrote that it had been an honor to serve the city and the community.

Vohs had been in charge of ordinance enforcement concerning junk and weeds. City Manager Justin Boone said that he would be taking that task back over from Vohs.

In a five to one vote, the council voted to approve Vohs’ resignation. Councilor Bill Renwick was the lone nay vote.
In other business:

• the council approved resolutions regarding the increase of water and sewer service rates, a police car loan and a fire department grant. Water rates for most residential/commercial customers inside the city limits went from $17 to $17.45 per month with a volume charge of $.0019 per cubic foot (same as last year).

Sewer rates for single family residential homes increased from a base rate of $25.10 per month to $25.60 per month;

• the council approved donation requests for the Desert Dash Rally in the amount of $50 and the Senior Nutrition Program at the Harney County Senior and Community Services Center in the amount of $75;

• the council approved an airport commercial sub-lease for Matt and Carla Davies who will sub-lease a hangar from Darrell and Sharyn Williams  at the Burns Airport;

• the council decided to hold a retreat/workshop with a representative from the League of Oregon Cities around Sept. 10. The retreat will be an opportunity for council members to go over the city handbook and set goals for the future. Further details will be decided later;

• the council approved an invoice for City Attorney Steve Finlayson in the amount of $2,750 for work done on the Burns/Hines Joint Wastewater Project and an invoice for Ferguson Surveying and Engineering in the amount of $826.99 for research done on the cemetery and pre-construction work on the Monroe Street sidewalk project;

• the council discussed city cleanup and ordinance enforcement and expressed some frustration with residents who don’t keep up their properties. “The one thing we can’t mandate is people taking pride in their property,” said Councilor Craig LaFollette.

Citizens Toni and John Steiner offered to help clean up properties in violation of weed and junk ordinances and encouraged the council to take a tougher stance against those who repeatedly violate city ordinances. They also suggested instituting a neighborhood watch program, which City Manager Boone said he would look into.

The Steiners said they wished more residents would get involved in cleaning up their neighborhoods. “Doesn’t anybody have the ooomph in them to change things?” asked Toni Steiner.

The next Burns City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Burns City Hall.

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

Butterflies or moths? Harmless or a threat to the forest? Those are questions people have been asking after encountering a large number of the winged insects north of Burns.

While some have wondered if they are tree-eating moths, the truth is they are Pine White butterflies. If you drive north on Highway 395, you’ll more than likely see hundreds, if not thousands of the flitting creatures.

According to the Web site www.butterfliesandmoths.org, the butterfly’s scientific name is Neophasia menapia and other facts are as follows:

Identification: The upperside of forewing has a mostly all white cell and black band along costal margin, and the underside of hindwing has black veins. The female of the species resembles the male, but is duller; hindwings often have red edges, tinged with yellow

Life history: Males patrol near host trees for females. Eggs are laid stuck together in a row on a conifer needle. Caterpillars feed in groups when they are young and move apart when they are older. Caterpillars pupate at the base of the host tree after descending from the tree on a silken thread. Eggs hibernate.

Flight: One flight June-September.

Wing span: 1 3/4 - 2 1/4 inches (4.5 - 5.8 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Needles of various conifers including pines (Pinus species), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and true firs (Abies species).

Adult food: Flower nectar including rabbitbrush, other yellow-flowered composites, and monarda.

Habitat: Western coniferous forests.

Range: British Columbia east to Alberta, south through Rocky Mountain states and California to Mexico; range just extends into western South Dakota and western Nebraska.

Conservation: Not usually needed.

NatureServe Global Status: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management needs: Caterpillar outbreaks occasionally defoliate ponderosa pine stands (Pinus ponderosa).

Vancouver, Wash., company looks to locate a total of four projects in Harney County

By Lauren Brown and Randy ParksBurns Times-Herald 

In Harney County’s quest to re-invent itself economically, options such as harvesting juniper for fuel and other biomass energy projects have emerged. Now, another energy solution, which has been flying under the radar for a couple of years, is on the table: wind energy.

Columbia Energy Partners has three permit requests that will come before the Harney County Planning Commission at the Aug. 20 meeting. These wind projects would all be located in the south end of the county. The company already has one project on the east side of Mann Lake Ranch in the works. The permit for this project was approved by the county in the spring of 2007.

South end projects

Columbia Energy Partners (out of Vancouver, Wash.) President Chris Crowley and Vice President of Project Development Marl Kane are excited to have a slight edge on the competition for wind in Harney County. “There are a lot of companies looking at projects in this area,” Crowley said.

His company already has a project running in the Columbia Gorge. While their Gorge project utilizes the strong wind there during the summer months, the Harney County projects would provide a strong source for wind during the winter months. “We’ve found a windy place at a time when that energy is in high demand,” said Crowley. 

 He believes in his company’s projects from a moral standpoint because they use a renewable resource to provide green energy.

“It doesn’t create pollution,” he said. Of all the renewable forms of energy, Crowley said wind is by far the best way to generate a large amount of energy.

Columbia Energy’s wind projects will each consist of approximately 45 wind turbines, capable of producing 100 megawatts of power, or enough to power 30,000 homes. 

The turbines stand 80 meters high, with three blades that create a 92-foot diameter. The turbines are constructed on the ground, lifted by crane to a vertical position and then placed on a base that extends approximately 30 feet into the ground. 

Once winds reach a speed of approximately 10 miles per hour (mph), a computer within the turbine switches it on, and the blades begin to turn at a rate of 13-18 rotations per minute (rpm). Built-in sensors are used to keep the blades turned into the wind, and the blades themselves are also automatically adjusted for maximum output of energy. 

The rotor, which turns the blades into the wind, is capable of turning 360 degrees, but if it makes three complete revolutions in one direction, it will then shut down the blades and turn three revolutions in the opposite direction so the cables connected in the base don’t become tangled. 

The turbines are also programmed to slow themselves down by blade adjustments if winds are in excess of 50 mph. The number of turbines in operation at any one time  depends on wind direction and siting of the turbines. Crowley was quick to point out that the energy generated by these projects would not power homes in Harney County.

“These projects are not being designed to serve local customers,” Crowley said. So locals who get their power from Oregon Trail Electric Consumers Cooperative or Harney Electric Cooperative don’t need to worry about rate changes.

Economic boon

The real boost to Harney County in these wind energy projects would be in their construction, contribution to the county tax base and long term maintenance.

It will cost Columbia Energy more than $200 million to build each project. While the construction phase can be completed fairly quickly,  Crowley said they will employ about 200 people  and will be using as many local workers as possible. Once the construction phase is done, each project will employ eight to 12 people for long term maintenance — a total of 32 to 48 jobs in Harney County.

“To have wind power come to Harney County is going to be significant from an economic standpoint,” Crowley said.  He went on to point out that it was of paramount importance to Columbia Energy to establish a good rapport with the people in Harney County.

Two out of the three proposed projects are on private land, while the third is on state property near Riddle Mountain. Columbia Energy Partners will hold a series of town hall meetings hosted by the Harney County Community Response Team in September.

These meetings will give locals a chance to ask questions and comment on the proposed projects. So far, Crowley said he has truly enjoyed getting to know the people of Harney County.

“We’ve had a great reception here, and we really appreciate it,” he said.   Harney County Judge Steve Grasty pointed out some benefits of having the wind projects in the county. “This is the best opportunity for job growth that’s happened in Harney County for a long time,” Grasty said. “It also assures some of our culture, like ranching and the outdoors, remains intact. I think people in Harney County realize, just like everyone else in the country, we need to get away from dependence on foreign oil, and this is a good start.” 

Green energy

Crowley said that what he likes most about wind energy is its small carbon footprint on the environment. Cows can graze right up to the base of the turbines, and after the construction of the projects, Columbia Energy will go back and restore and revegetate the land.

“I was reading about wind power in 2000, and I was fascinated because wind is one thing that unites the west and east sides (of the state),” he said, noting that while the two sides fight about a lot of things (i.e. grazing, owls, transportation, the environment, etc.), wind energy is one thing people can agree on. “Everyone wants green power,” he said. 

Superintendent asks Harney County Court for property extension

By Randy Parks

Burns Times-Herald 

In a county full of wide open spaces, sometimes it’s the smaller distances that cause concern. 

On Wednesday, Aug. 6, Crane Schools Superintendent Pat Sharp approached the Harney County Court to request an extension of the schools’ existing property on the west side of the school track on to the county easement. 

Sharp said the school wants to place a rail fence on the west side of the track to prevent livestock and vehicles from damaging the new track.

Because the new track is larger than the one it was built on top of, for approximately 600 feet along the west side of the track and adjacent to Clyde Avenue, the track is located approximately two feet from from the school district’s property line, leaving no space for spectators. She added that it could be a potential danger for runners having to run so close to the fence. 

Sharp told the court that if they could go out 20 feet on to the easement, and build the fence there, that would allow room for spectators and possibly a set of bleachers. Several residents of Crane were in attendance to express concern that if the fence were built 20 feet out from the track, it would compromise Clyde Avenue.

“You would be making a narrow street, and possibly creating parking issues,” Don Lindner said. The court agreed that a fence was needed to protect the integrity of the track, but were reluctant to grant Sharp’s request.

“I want to help the school out, but I can’t support the full 20 feet,” commissioner Dan Nichols said. Harney County Judge Steve Grasty suggested the court make a trip to Crane on Aug. 20 and look at the property.

“If we go out and look, we can figure out what’s the minimum you can deal with out there,” Grasty said. 

The court reviewed six letters of interest they had received regarding the three vacancies on the county planning commission. After some discussion, the court appointed Jeff Dorroh, Vern Brown and Lindner to the commission. 

Nick Miller and Joan Suther from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) gave a presentation on the Slickear Creek/Claw Creek forest restoration project. Miller said the project would include both commercial and non-commercial thinning, with a harvest of possibly up to one million board feet.Grasty expressed some concern that the project was being done as a stewardship contract, meaning the county wouldn’t receive 25 percent of the timber receipts. Suther said the stewardship contracts mean less out-of-pocket costs for the BLM, while still creating jobs in the community. Grasty also brought up the possibility of a biomass company having interest in the area. “If there’s no commercial value, biomass is an option,” Suther said. If there’s any interest, we would do our best to make it available.”  

In other business: 

• because of ongoing disputes among neighbors on Penland Road, the court decided to go ahead with an order to legalize the road; 

• Karla Bird told the court that the Saturday morning farmers’ markets are growing in popularity and are planned to be held through mid-September at Hines Park; 

• Patty Dorroh, Harney County Commission on Children and Families Director, asked the court to sign an agreement with the Training and Employment Consortium for Childcare Resource and Referral for an early childhood educational and enhancement program. Dorroh explained that the program was funded by the state, and would help to improve the quality of childcare in the county, including training for the providers. The court voted to sign the agreement; • the court reviewed a list of surplus items to be sold, including two automobiles, a pickup, a fork lift and a cardboard baler. It was agreed that the items would be advertised and sold by the sealed bid process; 

• the court signed the deed notice regarding the closed Sodhouse landfill; 

• the court reviewed a letter from 4R Recycling requesting more space; • the court appointed Bob Greisen to fill the at-large position on the Weed Board. 

The next county court meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20.

Pole bending, sprint race will be held before main competition on Aug. 23

By Debbie Raney

Burns Times-Herald 

The crunching of a fender, the smashing of a hood and the bashing of a door — spectators will have the opportunity to see it all once again at the 39th annual Harney County Demolition Derby on Aug. 23.

But, along with the derby, some new action will be added to evening. According to Harney County Fair Manager Don Slone, the derby event has been enlarged with more ATV events and an after-derby dance. Beginning at 6 p.m. riders in three age divisions will compete for trophies in an “ATV rodeo.”

Competition will be held in pole bending and a sprint race prior to the demolition derby, and a barrel race will be held during the derby intermission. Trophies will be presented to the champion of each event in the “young guns,” “junior” and “senior” divisions. An entry fee of $5 per event will be charged.  

The demolition derby will begin at 7 p.m. and will once again include a “beauty contest” and a “powder-puff” heat, along with the main event. Prize money will be awarded in each heat, the powder-puff and the main event, along with trophies for each winner.

The prize money for the night totals $3,800. Following the derby, a dance with live music by Pete Ford and Texas Hold ’em will be held in the Memorial Building at the fairgrounds.

Ford performs a wide range of selections and styles of material, inspired by country music legends such as Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash. He has opened for such artists as Michelle Wright, Joe Diffie, Dan Seals, Hank Thompson and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, as well as performing live at fairs and resorts across the northwest, including the Pendleton Roundup and Bronc Billy’s in Sisters.

The dance is included in the demolition derby admission costs. Tickets for the derby, which is sponsored by the Harney County Fair, Burns Ford Garage and A Parts, are on sale at A Parts, Big R, Tumbleweed Floral and Broadway Deli.

Prices are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 6-12. To enter a car in the derby, an ATV in the rodeo, or to obtain more information on the events, call the fairgrounds office at 573-6447, or go to the Web site at: www.co.harney.or.us/fairgrounds.htm.

By Randy Parks

Burns Times-Herald  

Last Saturday night, the air around the Harney County Fairgrounds was once again filled with the sound of music. (Hey, is there a song in there somewhere?) 

I have to say it was a lot of fun having a concert in town again and I applaud those who were instrumental in making it happen.

I know it takes a lot of time and energy to pull it off, so now that it’s over and done, I hope those folks can sit back, relax for a day or two and reflect on a job well done. 

One thing that I am puzzled about though, is why didn’t the crowd go for an encore? Has it been so long since we had a concert here that folks have forgotten about an encore? Or are encores a thing of the past? 

I know I’m from a different generation (as my family so often reminds me), but in “my day,” if we enjoyed the show, we’d clap and hoot and holler until the performers had to come back on stage. We were NOT leaving without hearing more.

I can remember having some entertainers coming back out for as many as four encore performances. To me, an encore means you enjoyed the show and you could enjoy even more of it. I have to think the performers would feel good if the crowd screamed and shouted for more.

When I lived in Idaho, I had the opportunity to perform with a small theatrical group for several years. Following one particular performance, the crowd gave us a standing ovation and then kept applauding until we came back out for a second, and a third curtain call. Unlike a singer, we had no more acts to perform, but I wish we had.

 Just because a performer says that’s the end of the show doesn’t make it so. The power lies in the hands, and the lungs, of the crowd. 

When Joni Harms performed in Burns as part of Harney Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Western Life, I almost felt sorry for her at the end of the show. People applauded and then got up to leave. I thought, “Whoa! Let’s keep clapping until she gets back out here.” Didn’t happen. 

Then this last Saturday night, the same thing happened. Steve Holy sang his “last” song, left the stage, and I was expecting thunderous applause until he returned. Nope. Just like with Harms, people got up and moved toward the exits.

The two people I was sitting next to also wanted an encore, but just the three of us clapping wasn’t going to get it done. Not even if we lit the lighters. (Remember those days?) 

If the times have passed me by and encores are no longer part of a concert, can somebody please take me aside and let me know? Until then, please join me in thanking the performers with excessive noise until they just can’t play or sing another tune. 

Comments? E-mail Randy Parks at rparks@burnstimesherald.info