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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 22, 2019)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2019 THE OBSERVER — 3A LOCAL L OCAL B RIEFING From staff reports Local housing authority receives federal $130K to aid disabled LA GRANDE — The Northeast Oregon Housing Authority in La Grande was one of 22 public housing authorities in Idaho, Oregon and Washington to receive federal funding for housing vouchers. The local organization received 25 mainstream vouchers totaling $130,659 to assist very-low income households of persons with disabilities, according to Wednesday’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban De- velopment. Jeff McMorris, HUD northwest regional administrator, called the vouchers a “critical tool in reducing the risk that people with disabilities might be in- stitutionalized or experience homelessness and enable them to live independently in the communities they choose to call home.” The 1,313 vouchers for the organizations across the three Northwest states total $12,514,410, according to the announcement. Nation- wide, Housing and Urban Development distributed $131.3 million to 325 local public housing authorities to provide affordable housing to approximately 15,363 ad- ditional non-elderly persons with disabilities. Free tai chi classes are on holiday schedule LA GRANDE — The free tai chi classes taught at the Presbyterian Friend- ship Center in La Grande will not meet Thanksgiving week. Classes will resume the week after Thanksgiving until mid-December, after which they will be on hiatus until Jan. 14. EOU music ensembles perform fall concert LA GRANDE — The Eastern Oregon University African Drumming Ensem- ble, the Creative Ensemble, and 45th Parallel present their fall concert Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the McKenzie Theatre. Directors Luke McKern and Greg Johnson lead their groups in performing traditional and contempo- rary works from around the world, featuring composers such as Horace Silver, Woody Shaw and EOU’s own John McKinnon. The nine-piece 45th Parallel, featuring horns and a rhythm section, plays tunes from the blues and jazz tradition, arranged by director Johnson specifi cally for the band. 45th Parallel’s set this fall includes a set- ting of “Basin Street Blues,” featuring a transcription of an improvisation by Sidney Bechet, Horace Silver’s hard bop classic “Nica’s Dream” and the world premiere of a new composition by John McKinnon entitled, “I Never Met a Cliche I Didn’t Like!” Admission to the concert is free, but donations toward music scholarships are always accepted. For more information, call Johnson at 541-962-3559. UC Cattlemen dinner tickets must be purchased by Monday LA GRANDE — The an- nual Union County Cattle- men’s Association dinner will be held Nov. 30. Tickets — $27 each and available at the Extension Offi ce — must be purchased by Monday. The event will include a speaker and a drawing for a Cabela gift card. For more information, call Darren Hansen at 541-805-1569 or Pat Larson at 541-963-9387. The event is open to the pub- lic. UC Cattlemen will not have a December meeting. Run with the turkeys before Thanksgiving dinner LA GRANDE — Grande Ronde Road Runners is hosting the annual Run- ning of the Turkeys on Thanksgiving Day. The event, which is open to the community, will begin at EONI, 216 Chestnut St., La Grande. Registration opens at 8 a.m. The 10K begins at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K at 9 a.m. The registration fee is by donation. Maps will be available at registration time. The run/walk features numbered bibs, stopwatch timing and refreshments at the fi nish. For more infor- mation, call or text Jeff at 541-786-3069. Volunteers welcome at community Thanksgiving dinner LA GRANDE — Neigh- bors Together of Union County will be serving a community Thanksgiving dinner at the Presbyterian Friendship Center, 1204 Spring Ave., La Grande, Thanksgiving Day. The Spring Street doors will open at noon, and the meal will be served beginning at 1 p.m. The meal is free (donations will be accepted), and all are welcome. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help with the meal is asked to call 541- 963-9126. Not too late to join tomorrow’s Turkey Trot LA GRANDE — Benefi t- ing the Friday Backpack program, the eighth annual 5K Mountain Valley Turkey Trot is Nov. 23. Registra- tion begins at 9 a.m. at Mountain Valley at 2519 Cove Ave., La Grande, and costs $25. The race begins at 9:30 a.m. and is pet and family friendly. There will P UBLIC S AFETY R EPORT THURSDAY La Grande fi re and police at 6:48 a.m. responded to a fi re call on the 100 block of Fir Street. Firefi ghters responded to seven calls for medical as- sistance Thursday, the same as Wednesday. Police at 7:26 a.m. took a report for a sex crime in La Grande. La Grande police at 10:43 a.m. received a set of keys someone lost on the 1100 block of K Avenue. An Elgin resident at 12:33 p.m. reported the theft of a horse. A Union County sheriff’s deputy talked to the person about civil action options. A barking dog on the 2900 block of Misty Avenue, La Grande, prompted a neighbor to call police. An offi cer explained options to the caller to deal with the problem. La Grande police at 2:23 p.m. responded to a fi ght on the 700 block of K Avenue. A resident on the 1500 block of X Avenue of La Grande called police about a suspicious vehicle in the driveway. Police found the driver parked there to avoid the street sweeper. A La Grande offi cer at 9:27 p.m. responded to the 400 block of 18th Street in a report of suspicious activity. The offi cer talked to a person who was in the process of moving. be a tent in the fi tness park for everyone to enjoy turkey chowder catered by Bud Jackson’s and stay out of the weather. Thanks to sponsors Barreto Manufac- turing, Nature’s Pantry, Red Cross Drug Store and Valley Insurance Group, there is no registration fee for participants younger than 12 and older than 65, who also will receive a free T- shirt. This year’s event also includes a raffl e with prizes donated by Blue Mountain Outfi tters, Apple Eye Care, La Grande Grocery Outlet, Hines Meat Co., Joe & Sug- ars, Le Bebe Cakes Coffee Shop & Bakery, and R&C Family Store. UNION COUNTY SENIOR CENTER MENU 1504 ALBANY ST., LA GRANDE Nov. 25-Nov. 29; lunch served 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. age 60+ $3 suggested donation; others $6 Monday: fi sh and chips, baked beans, coleslaw, fruit salad, cookies (alternate meal available). Tuesday: chicken strips, steak fries, sweet cucumber salad, fresh fruit slices, sherbet. Wednesday: Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, steamed Harvard beets, potatoes and gravy, Jell-O, rolls, pie. Thursday and Friday: CLOSED for Thanksgiving holiday Donna May Rose August 3, 1958 - November 16, 2019 Donna May Rose, 61, of La Grande, passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at St. Alphonsus Re- gional Medical Center, Nampa, Idaho. A Celebration of Life will be held at Ten Depot Street on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at 2:00pm. Donna was born on August 3, 1958 in Kellogg, Idaho to Gerald and Donna Doud. She was married to her one true love, Raymond Earl Rose. Donna was employed at Ten Depot Street for 31 years, fulfilling many different roles. A truly dedicated asset for Sandy. When she wasn’t working at Ten Depot, Donna loved to embroider, gardening, canning and reading. She also loved having her grandchildren and nieces and nephews over for games and just hanging out. She was a very spiritual and steadfast in her faith. She was admired for her strength and her ability to carry on in the face of adversity. She was the best sister and friend ever and touched the hearts of so many. Donna was the love of Ray’s life and they enjoyed camping, playing cribbage, bumper pool and just being with each other even if it was only watching tennis or Nascar. Donna is survived by her husband, Ray; son, Colyn Robinson and wife Kelsey of La Grande, OR; mother, Donna Doud of Island City, OR; brothers, Lee Doud and wife Judy of Elgin, OR and Jerry Doud and wife Melinda of Humptulips, WA; sister, Edna Carpenter and husband Tom of La Grande, OR; step daughter, Toni Reynolds and husband Justin of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Seth and Kenley Ada; niece, Samantha Hosford and many other nieces and nephews, beloved friends including her dog Sadie. She was preceded in death by her son, Seth Wayman Robinson and father, Gerald Lewis Doud. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com. O BITUARIES Rollie H. Mattson Elgin 1938-2019 Rollie Henry Mattson, 81, of Elgin, died Nov. 17 at his residence. At his request, there will not be a service. Rollie was born July 26, 1938, in The Dalles, to Walter Wilbert and Nora Mar- garet (Cosner) Mattson. In 1941, the fam- ily moved to Elgin and lived on a farm located just below the Rockwall 5 miles north of town. Rollie graduated from Elgin High School in 1958. In 1961, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he excelled in the biathlon, winning numerous team and individual competitions. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1963. Rollie met his future wife, Lynda Weaver, from Wal- lowa, on New Year’s Eve 1963. They were married Nov. 25, 1964. Three children were added to Rollie and Lynda’s life: Curtis Lee, Me- lissa Kaye and Marcey Evon. Rollie was a cattle rancher and a trapper, and worked at the Boise Cascade studmill for 35 years. He was an avid hunter and had a true passion for fi shing. If Rollie wasn’t working, you could fi nd him along the banks of the Wallowa, Grande Ronde or Imnaha rivers fi shing for steelhead or salmon. Rollie’s family enjoyed hiking into the high mountain lakes, camp- ing and fi shing, many times with relatives and friends. Surviving relatives include his wife, Lynda; children and their spouses, Curtis and Donna Mattson of Elgin, Melissa and Bryan Lea of Albany, and Marcey and Kim Monohan of Spokane, Wash- ington; brother and sister-in- law, Dale and Carol Mattson of La Grande; sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret and Norval Byron of La Grande and Pearl and Ter- rel Croghan of Elgin; eight grandchildren; and numer- ous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Nora. In lieu of fl owers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Associa- tion-Oregon Chapter, 1650 NW Naito Parkway, Suite 190, Portland 97209, or to Rockwall Grange Hall, 71562 Middle Road, Elgin 97827. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel. com. Kay (Ruckman) Acuff Formerly of Imbler Kay (Ruckman) Acuff, 81, formerly of Imbler, died Oct. 22 in Goodyear, Arizona. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 27 at Thompson Funeral Chapel of Goodyear. Inurnment will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 29 at the National Memorial Cem- etery in Phoenix, Arizona. Patricia Patterson Formerly of La Grande Patricia “Pat” Patterson, 95, of Medford and formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 14. A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 5 at Rogue Valley Manor in Medford. Arrangements are under the direction of Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives. Ruth S. McClure La Grande Ruth Sharlene McClure, 56, of La Grande, died Nov. 20 at Grande Ronde Hospi- tal. A viewing will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 29 and from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Nov. 30 at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A funeral will follow at 10 a.m. An obituary is forthcoming. Suellen ‘Sue’ W. Lambert La Grande Suellen “Sue” W. Lambert, 72, of La Grande, died Nov. 21 at Grande Ronde Hos- pital. An obituary is forth- coming. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory will be handling the arrangements. UPCOMING FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS Sponsored by Nov. 22 David Kirkland: 2 p.m. memorial service, North Powder United Methodist Church. Nov. 23 Wade Brown: 11 a.m. celebration of life, North Powder Grange Hall. Patricia Jenkins: 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, La Grande. Benjamin Seidel: Join Our Team AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is looking for compassionate, friendly people to join our team of volunteers for the upcoming tax season. Tax-Aide is a free program that makes it easier for older taxpayers to file their tax returns. Neighbors like you help prepare tax returns or serve in other ways, like organizing client paperwork, managing computer equipment, acting 3 p.m. memorial service, Daniels-Knopp Funeral Cremation & Life Celebration Center, La Grande. as interpreters, or making sure everything runs smoothly. Nov. 29-30 Ruth McClure: Sign up at aarpfoundation.org/taxaide. 2-4 p.m. Nov. 29 viewing; 9-9:45 a.m. Nov. 30 viewing followed by 10 a.m. funeral; all at Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande. There’s a role for everyone.
