Wallowa County Chieftain MHIC to take possession of log building By Steve Tool Wallowa County chieftain Maxville Heritage Interpre- tive Center (MHIC) is taking possession of the log building that was the last remaining structure of the logging town above Wallowa. MHIC Exec- utive Director Gwen Trice says the center has other good news to report as well. State Sen. Bill Hansell dropped by recently to express his support for MHIC and said he is working on build- ing funding or the center. With respect to the Maxville log building, Trice said, “We just signed a contract with Han- cock Timber, and they’re giv- ing us the building and permis- sion to move it and restore it. We’re determining the site now, and considering our site options from Joseph to Wallowa.” She added that MHIC already has a $20,000 Kinsman Foundation grant to get that project started. Clatsop Community Col- lege recently mapped and diagrammed the log building inside and out over Memorial Day weekend and just sent the center the ¿nal revised docu- ments. “We hope to continue working with them, as well as Eastern Oregon University. We’re also interested in in- volving the University of Or- egon and Oregon State Uni- versity because of their full archaeology programs,” Trice said. She added that the center is also looking at some of the local successful historical res- torations for ideas. MHIC recently received two grants: an Oregon Heri- tage grant, which amounted to $6,500, and a $5,000 grant from US Bank in La Grande “It’s speci¿cally for doing in- terpretive planning and design for the heritage center and the visitors center,” Trice said. At press time, an Aug. 11 meeting facilitated by Alice Parman of the Oregon Heri- tage Foundation was expected to gather input from attendees on the direction and scope of the center’s mission. “There’s all these pieces that everyone can bring to the table for Alice to put together. It’s a strong opportunity for brainstorm- ing, and we expect people from all over to attend,” Trice said. Maxville Heritage is quickly creating both a re- gional and national presence on the historic preservation scene. As proof, Trice disclosed that MHIC is giving several presentations and a showing of the ¿lm “The Logger’s Daugh- ter” at a Community Starbucks in Seattle. A Community Star- bucks is a special designation given to only four Starbucks in the world and is built inside a local cultural community. “We didn’t solicit them; they came to us,” Trice said. Trice is work- ing on a similar presentation and display for the Starbucks in La Grande. Trice also said MHIC has openings for paying intern- ships with a focus on students over 16 years of age. “We have grant money sitting in the kitty waiting to get paid out to high school and college students. The money’s there,” Trice said. News wallowa.com August 12, 2015 A3 Late Lee Phelps’ last tall ship in area By Jade McDowell EO Media Group The ship is a full-scale replica of the original Lady Washington, which was the first American ship to make landfall on the West coast of North America in 1787. It has been used in the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Star Trek: Generations and also appeared in the televi- sion shows Revolution and Once Upon a Time. Dozens of people showed up Monday morning to get a look at the ship, but Jill Fraser of Hermiston had a special reason for wanting to come. Her friend Lee Phelps of Lostine worked on the ship until his death a few months ago, and his ashes were shot out of one of the ship’s cannons in As- toria as a tribute to his ded- ication to tall ships like the Lady Washington. “I couldn’t make it to that memorial, so I thought I would come in his honor,” Fraser said. Staff photo by Jade McDowell The Lady Washington waits for the water to lower inside the McNary Dam locks. She said she enjoyed get- ting a good look at the ship and having a chance to hon- or her late friend. Ruth Carollo of Hermis- ton was also at the dam on Monday. As the water in the lock slowly drained away, allowing the ship to go from the high water to the east of the dam to the low- er water on the west side, she explained to her three grandchildren how the lock worked. She said a few weeks ago she had tried to bring the children, ages two, four and six, to the Washington side of the dam to see the locks and fish ladders but was told that it was only open to the public on special occa- sions. When she heard the locks were being opened to the public to view the Lady Washington she grabbed the grandkids for a day trip. “I just thought it would make a really fun outing to see the big ship,” she said. She said the kids seemed like they were having fun and she enjoyed herself too. “It’s just fascinating looking at all the intricacies of the lines,” she said. The gate at the McNary Dam lock is 106 feet tall. The lock is 683 feet long and holds 38 million gallons of water. On Monday the Lady Washington, which was headed back toward the coast after a week docked in Richland, went through by itself. ——— Contact Jade McDowell at jmcdowell@eastoregonian. com or 541-564-4536. Libraries group wins $250K grant for local projects By Kathleen Ellyn Wallowa County Chieftain Libraries of Eastern Or- egon (LEO), a nonprofit based in Joseph, has re- ceived a $250,000 national grant awarded by ArtPlace America for a regional proj- ect, “Art: Engage at the Li- brary!” LEO will use the grant money to bring art programs, workshops and exhibits to at least 30 public libraries in the region over the next 18 months. Projects will range from art activities inserted into preschool story times, to hands-on creative programs and workshops led by local artists, to advocacy for the arts to be part of community planning and development. “The streetscape efforts in Enterprise and bronzes in Joseph are examples of art as part of community planning and development,” said LEO Executive Director Lyn Craig. “I think Wallowa County is way ahead of the curve in using art in city de- velopment, and set an exam- ple for other communities in eastern Oregon.” Although no specific li- braries have yet been cho- sen for the art programs and workshops, Craig said Wal- lowa County would definite- ly benefit from the grant. A final outcome of the program will be the devel- opment of an online regional art-mapping project that will serve as a directory and re- source highlighting public art, art centers, art organi- zations, artists and art-based business throughout eastern AROUND ENTERPRISE What an amazing time at the Wallowa County Fly-In & Pancake Breakfast this last weekend at the Joseph Airport! Thanks to all the pilots, amazing planes, and volunteers for making this event an annual must-see event! Oregon. LEO will also create six part-time positions to help implement the programs of the grant. “I certainly hope we can hire individuals from Wallowa County for some of these positions,” Craig said. ArtPlace America is a 10-year collaboration of foundations, banks and fed- eral agencies based in Phil- adelphia, Pa., and Wash- ington, D.C., organized in 2006. Nearly 1,300 appli- cants vied for the grant. LEO was selected as one of 90 finalists and ultimately 38 projects were chosen for funding. “We were told that this is the first time ArtPlace America has worked direct- ly with rural libraries, so really, we’re a demonstra- tion project for other rural areas,” Craig said. For further information contact leolibraries@gmail. com. BUILDING PORTFOLIOS ISN’T THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE DO. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS IS. ‘Find yourself’ at the Lostine Tavern Signature Cocktails Growlers & Winers Filled Farm to Table Fare: Local meats, produce, beer & wine Open 11am-10pm, Wed-Sun HIGHWAY 82, LOSTINE • 541-569-2246 Stay Connected On Facebook Planning and investing for your future, your family, or your business doesn’t have to be complicated. Especially when you have someone you trust, who has taken the time to get to know you and your specific situation, helping guide you along the way. We start by listening to your needs, then delivering the quality, sophisticated advice you deserve. 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