The Bistro and Rhojo’s team up to give Harney County residents a taste of something different

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

Thursday and Friday evenings in downtown Burns just got a little more interesting as Rhojo’s offers up three-course Italian dinners with Nights at the Bistro, located in the 300 block of Broadway.

Rhojo’s combines the talents of Rhonda Petty and her son, Chef Michael Johnson.

Johnson graduated from Burns High School and went on to culinary school, graduating in 1999. He was employed at Il Fornaio, a five-star Italian restaurant in Portland, where he worked his way up to sous chef. At Il Fornaio he learned to make pasta by hand, prep the entire restaurant and at one time managed 30 prep cooks. He also served celebrities such as former Trail Blazer Scottie Pippen and band members of the rock group Everclear.

Johnson went on to be a culinary consultant, helping restaurants retrain staff to become more efficient. He ran a Greek restaurant in North Bend and then left the restaurant business to be a mortgage broker for a while.

Now that he has returned to Burns, he is ready to get back in the kitchen. “I’ve still got the skills and the knowledge to do it. So that’s what I’m doing,” he said.

Johnson and Petty hope to open their own restaurant called Rhojo’s within the next year, but until then, he is happy to be working out of the open kitchen at the Bistro. “This will give the town a little more exposure to our food,” he said.

Johnson describes the Nights at the Bistro experience as a unique niche in Burns. “We’re doing five-star quality at family prices,” he said.

The three-course menu changes weekly. Diners receive an appetizer, salad and choice of entree. Iced tea and water is included in the $13.95 price (which is also subject to change depending on the menu). Last week, the appetizer was an antipasto plate of marinated baby artichokes, kalamata olives and salami.0

Diners chose between entrees of penne de salmon and lasagna primavera. The salmon entree consisted of penne pasta with sauteed garlic, diced tomatoes and wild, Alaskan-caught salmon tossed in the chef’s marinara and vodka cream sauce; finished with extra-virgin olive oil while the primavera featured fresh lasagna noodles, grilled eggplant, zucchini, mixed mushrooms, diced tomatoes, bocconcini mozzarella, parmesan and the chef’s marinara.

Homemade desserts are also available for diners but are not included in the meal price.

Petty likes the atmosphere at the Bistro and is grateful for the collaboration with Bistro owners Kelly and Samantha Landon. The Landons feel that it’s important for local businesses to work together and are pleased to host Nights at the Bistro to provide some variety among the dining establishments in town.

Petty noted that the open kitchen gives customers an opportunity to interact with the chef. “Michael has a chance to come out and talk to people and see how they liked the meal,” Petty said.

Johnson said that Nights at the Bistro is a true collaboration. “It’s a family business. I’m the head of the operation, and she’s the backbone,” he said of Petty.

Rhojo’s requires that diners make reservations, which can be scheduled for any time between 6 and 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.

Weekly menus are on display at the Bistro. Diners can request that menus be e-mailed or faxed by calling 589-1034. Leave a message, and Petty will return your call.

Oregon City man separated from camping party in Warm Springs Reservoir area

On Aug. 2, at about 7:45 p.m., a report was received by the Harney County Dispatch Center of a lost hiker in the Warm Springs Reservoir area.

The hiker was identified as Jay Burrows, 65, from Oregon City. The Harney County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police responded and attempted to locate Burrows throughout the night without success.

According to the sheriff’s office, on Aug. 3, at about 3 a.m. the Harney County Search and Rescue was activated. Search and rescue responded with searchers using horseback and four wheelers. At daylight the search and rescue personnel, the Harney County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police began a ground search for Burrows.

Burrows was located by the Harney County Search and Rescue at about 8:30 a.m. He was in good health and was reunited with his camping party.

The Harney County Sheriff’s Office, Harney County Search and Rescue and the Oregon State Police would like to remind everyone to be prepared when hiking. Without the help of the search and rescue volunteers the outcome may have been different. Anyone wishing to join the search and rescue program contact the Harney County Sheriff’s Office.

More than 140 runners and walkers took part in the 26th annual Steens Rim Run/Walk on Saturday, Aug. 2. Max King of Bend placed first in the men’s run, completing the 10K race in a time of 44:43. Karla Nash of Bend was the top women’s runner, finishing in 1:04:19. In the walk portion of the race, Jan Mead of John Day finished first overall with a time of 1:23:27, and the top male finisher was Noel Eriksen of Redmond, who came in at 1:26:12. Complete results are as follows:

Rim Run results

1     Max King     20-29     M     0:44:43
2     Nick Miller     20-29     M     0:47:16
3     Jeff Riley     30-39     M     0:52:51
4     Caleb Sturgill      20-29     M     0:53:12
5     Daniel Soupir      16-19     M     0:55:33
6     Drew Barry     40-49    M     0:58:43
7     Chanel Sitz     20-29    M     0:59:46
8     Hugh Snook     40-49     M     1:00:01
9     Steve Morse     50-59     M     1:00:51
10     Rhett Elliott     16-19     M     1:01:26
11     Ron Bennett      50-59     M     1:01:27
12     Mytchell Mead     40-49     M     1:03:01
13     Talon Hoffman     20-29     M     1:03:07
14     Ralph Caldwell    16-19     M     1:03:16
15     Karla Nash     40-49     F     1:04:19
16     John Barry     50-59     M     1:04:19
17     Russ Morris     50-59     M     1:04:51
18     Richard Thompson 60-69     M     1:05:29
19     Todd Yee     20-29     M     1:05:44
20     Noah Sellers     20-29    M     1:06:16
21     Nick Martinak     20-29     M     1:06:43
22     Leon Neuschwander 50-59 M     1:07:46
23     Troy Hooker     40-49     M     1:09:05
24     Shane Byerly     40-49     M     1:09:50
25     September O’Crowley 16-19 F     1:09:56
26    Terry Loffelmacher 60-69     M     1:09:56
27     Aaron Placher     20-29     M     1:11:44
28     Brett Bossuot     20-29     M     1:13:34
29     Cindy Sloan     50-59    F     1:13:56
30     Stephen Huffman 40-49     M     1:15:15
31     Tyler Boyle     20-29     M     1:15:25
32     Steven Starkey     50-59     M     1:16:02
33     Charlotte Hartwig 60-69 F     1:16:19
34     Ed Newcomb     60-69     M     1:16:26
35     Jim Clover     60-69     M     1:16:57
36     Scot Fetrow     50-59     M     1:17:37
37     Wilfred Stone     40-49    M     1:17:43
38     Eli Shorey     30-39    M     1:18:08
39     Seth Jordan     30-39     M     1:18:16
40     Bernie Steininger 60-69     M     1:18:59
41     Bruce Kiyokawa     40-49     M     1:19:28
42     Randy Gillam     50-59    M     1:20:04
43     Darbie Kemper     20-29     F     1:20:43
44     Nowzar Ardavan     50-59     M     1:21:27
45     Ed Vasquez     50-59    M     1:21:28
46     Austin Kiyokawa 13-15     M     1:22:24
47     Sergio Morris     13-15     M     1:22:54
48     Peter Depauw     50-59     M     1:23:04
49     Cameron Peddycord 20-29     M     1:23:08
50     Lathan Brinkley     60-69     M     1:23:18
51     Collin Kiyokawa     13-15     M     1:24:34
52     Donald Smith     40-49    M     1:24:54
53     Melissa Towers     30-39     F     1:24:54
54     Gregory Skillman 50-59     M     1:27:00
55     Bill Martinak     50-59     M     1:27:04
56     Steve Greening     60-69     M     1:28:38
57     Carie DeRobertis     20-29     F     1:29:15
58     Heather Swartz     30-39     F     1:29:36
59     Sandy Humphreys 50-59     F     1:30:11
60     Gary Miller     50-59     M     1:31:38
61     Dotty Judy     60-69     F     1:33:11
62     Fred Barstad     60-69    M     1:35:03
63     Richard Field     60-69     M     1:35:34
64     Clifford Judy     70 & Over M     1:36:22
65     Marty Thayer     40-49     F     1:39:39
66     Patty Wilde     20-29     F     1:40:33
67     Danielle Duncan     16-19     F     1:44:24
68     Anna Thompson 12 & Und F     1:49:39
69     Jon Thompson     30-39     M     1:49:40
70     Eric Thompson 12 & Und     M     1:52:07
71     Bill McCracken     60-69     M     1:53:58
72     Chloe Lydon     13-15    F     2:05:36
73     Claudia Lydon     12 & Und F     2:05:55
74     Jon Meier     30-39     M     DNF
75     Susie McLogan     40-49     F     DNF
76     Patrick McCurry     30-39     M     DNF
77     Jon McLagan     40-49     M     DNF
79     Jeremy Field      30-39     M     DNF

 Rim Walk results

1     Jan Mead     40-49     F     1:23:27
2     Fenny Roberts     50-59     F     1:26:00
3     Noel Eriksen     40-49    M     1:26:12
4     Elaine Livran     50-59     F     1:26:33
5     Helen Shepard     50-59     F     1:28:30
6     Son Burns     30-39     M     1:28:51
7     Linda Villagrana-Miller 20-29 F     1:28:52
8     Ann Ross     50-59     F     1:29:09
9     Ramona Hoffman 50-59     F     1:29:29
10     Reese Shepard     60-69     M     1:29:39
11     Susan O’Crowley 40-49     F     1:30:33
12     Sara Burns     30-39     F     1:30:56
13     Amy Ward     30-39     F     1:31:16
14     Tara Martinak     20-29     F     1:31:42
15     Dave Noyes     50-59     M     1:32:11
16     Blane Hayes     40-49     M     1:32:19
17     Chris Thomas     30-39     M     1:33:46
18     William Jaques     60-69     M     1:33:46
19     Traci Robertson     30-39     F     1:35:45
20     Gary Roberts     50-59     M     1:36:01
21     Danielle Barry     16-19     F     1:36:01
22     Gina Barry     40-49     F     1:36:02
23     Ashley Schouviller 16-19     F     1:38:01
24     Teri McConnell     13-15     F     1:38:01
25     Mattea Zabala     16-19     F     1:38:01
26     Ron Hartwig     60-69     M     1:39:28
27     Cody Towers     12 & Und M     1:40:11
28     Gwen Haigh     40-49     F     1:40:18
29     Joanne Kiyokawa 40-49     F     1:40:44
30     Karen Jacobs     50-59     F     1:41:12
31     Gerald Hay     60-69     M     1:43:34
32     Mike Cosgrove     50-59     M     1:43:49
33     Ellen Jacobs     50-59     F     1:44:08
34     Sophie Cosgrove     50-59     F     1:44:36
35     Jim Soupir     50-59     M     1:44:38
36     Susan Sugai     50-59     F     1:45:45
37     Dana Fogarty     50-59     F     1:46:43
38     Margaret Peddycord 50-59     F     1:46:43
39     Katy Paul     30-39    F     1:47:21
40     Jamie Ward     60-69     F     1:47:34
41     Duane Andrew    40-49     M     1:48:02
42     Kelsi Sitz     16-19     F     1:49:25
43     Kathie Stoddard     40-49     F     1:49:44
44     Doug Smith     60-69     M     1:49:44
45     Charmarie Bradach 30-39     F     1:51:03
46     Trace Andrew     50-59     F     1:51:11
47     Renae Noyes     50-59     F     1:51:46
48     Andrew Carillo     20-29     M     1:52:51
49     Stefani Carillo     20-29     F          1:52:52
50     Eva Harris     60-69     F          1:53:17
51     Will Donnelley     60-69    M         1:53:49
52     Stephen Hay     30-39     M         1:55:39
53     Catherine Hay     30-39     F          1:55:39
54     Wayne Sugai     50-59     M         1:56:08
55     Nellie Franklin     40-49     F          1:57:57
56     Cini Baumhuff     30-39     F          2:04:36
57     Mary Newcomb     60-69     F           2:41:01
58     Bonnie Wood     50-59     F     DNF
59     John Mosley     20-29     M     DNF
60     Jessica Mosley     30-39     F     DNF
61     Sandy Ott     50-59     F     DNF
62     John Livran     40-49     M     DNF
63     Amaya Zabala     20-29     F     DNF

Elisa Lynn Hissong died on June 22.

She was born in Burns on Nov. 27, 1959.

Hissong graduated from Burns High School, and then moved to Tucson, Ariz., where she worked for an aircraft company for about 10 years. She then chose a new job, working with disabled adults, where she brought joy to the lives of all she came into contact with.

Hissong had a loving spirit and brought happiness to every situation with her sense of humor and positive attitude. She had many talents and used them to enhance the lives of her friends and family through music, cooking, crafts, organizing events and participating in sports. One of her favorite activities was consistently assisting her “charges” in Special Olympics and other activities that enhanced their lives.

Hissong is survived by her mother and step-father Linda and Buck Taylor of Diamond; brother, Kevin Hissong of Burns; sister, Sheila Hissong of Pendleton; step-mother Kay Hissong of Newark, Ohio; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She is also survived by her Tucson family, Evelyn Harker, Rick and Rosanna Harker, Marco and Stephanie Gusman, God-daughter, April Henning, Adalaide Henning, Karen Henning, Janice Ryan, and all the grandchildren who called her “Grandma Lisa.”

Hissong was preceded in death by her father, Howard Hissong.

A memorial service was held at Santa Cruz Lutheran Church in Tucson on June 26. A graveside service and internment was held in Burns on July 1.

Gary James Moore died on July 13 at his home in Anchorage, Alaska, after a four-year battle with melanoma.

He was born on July 2, 1942, in Caldwell, Idaho.

Moore’s family moved to Burns when he was 5. He graduated from Burns High School in 1961.

Moore went on to complete a double major in math and physics from the College of Idaho, later receiving a master’s in computer science from the University of Idaho.

He married Fran Keil in 1962, and they had three sons.

The family moved to Alaska in 1981, when Moore accepted a job with Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. He worked there until 1985, then he worked for Arco Alaska until his retirement in 1999.

Moore is survived by his wife, Fran; sons, Scott and Dwayne; grandchildren, Shannon, Mark and Heidi; sister, Kaye Sykes of Burns; and brother, Joe Moore.

He was preceded in death by his son, Gary; and his parents, James and Enid Moore.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Moore’s memory may be made to Denali Hospice, 3935 Reka Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508.

Patricia Ann O’Connor died at her home in Burns on July 30.

She was born on Dec. 12, 1934, in Hempstead, N.Y., to Edwin and Delores Cavanagh.

O’Connor finished high school and was a candy-striper while in nursing school.

She married Joseph O’Connor on Oct. 3, 1954, and the couple had two children, Nancy and Michael. She was a Grand Master contract bridge champion.

O’Connor moved to Burns in 1993 to be near her family. She managed medical offices and was a meticulous bookkeeper for many decades, finally retiring from the Burns Chiropractic Clinic in 2003. She was known by everyone as a steadfast, salt-of-the-earth type of person.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Carpentier and husband, Dan of Burns; grandchildren, Connor, Caleb and Christianna Carpentier of Burns; son, Michael O’Connor of Lake Tahoe, Nev.; sister, Joyce Reiss of New York; and brother, Edwin Cavanagh of New York.

O’Connor was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Susan.

Private family services will be held. Contributions in O’Connor’s memory may be made to the Harney County Hospice.

Harney County Court meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Harney County Courthouse, 450 North Buena Vista, at 10 a.m.

Burns Sportsman Club will present Twilight Trap Practice every Wednesday night, from 5-7 p.m. at the shooting facility on Radar Hill. Members and non-members are welcome to participate.

Storytime at the Library is on hiatus Aug. 6, 13 and 20. The program will resume on Aug. 27.

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.

Soup & Support, a bereavement support event hosted by Harney County Hospice and facilitated by Hospice Chaplain Renfro, is held the first Thursday of each month at the Burns Four Square Church, 74 South Alvord, from noon until 1 p.m. It is free of charge; all are welcome.

Burns Butte Sportsmen’s Club meets the first Thursday of each month at the State Office Building, 809 West Jackson, at 7 p.m.

A book club for kindergarten through fourth-grade students is held each Thursday at the Harney County Library, from 10:30-11:15 a.m.

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.

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

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

The Boys & Girls Club presents People in Uniform the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, from 1-2:30 p.m. Professionals from around Harney County come give kids a peek into their profession.

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 Burns High School (BHS) class of 1958 invites all BHS alumni to their 50th class reunion on Aug. 9 at the Harney County Fairgrounds Memorial Building. Social hour will begin at 4:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. For dinner reservations, call Pat (Dudley) Edmunson at 493-2607, or Helen (Howes) Kennedy at 503-519-7123, by Aug. 1.

Harney County Relative Collectors Genealogy Group meets on the second Saturday of the month, at the Harney County Library from 9:30-11:30 a.m. There is no cost to join the fun. For more information, call 573-3258, and leave a message for Richard.

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

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