COMMUNITY CORNER
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020
THE OBSERVER — 3A
COMMUNITY Commission names winners of spring beautifi cation awards
Meetings
• IMBLER — The Imbler
School District Board of Direc-
tors will meet for a regular
session Tuesday, June 16.
This meeting will immediately
follow the budget hearing,
which begins at 7 p.m. The
public is welcome to attend all
open sessions of the Imbler
School District.
Briefs
City’s playgrounds are
open again
LA GRANDE — The La
Grande Parks and Recreation
Department announced that
playgrounds at all parks
reopened June 10. The city
has outlined some sugges-
tions to help those who visit
these areas where the risk of
contracting the coronavirus
is more likely.
In accordance with
Oregon Health Authority
guidance, Parks and Rec
advises people to continue
to maintain a distance of 6
feet, wash hands frequently
and before and after using
playground equipment, and
those who can to wear face
coverings. Playgrounds will
not be disinfected by park
staff.
More campgrounds
opening
LA GRANDE — The
Wallowa-Whitman National
Forest began opening camp-
grounds Monday, including
the following campgrounds
on the Whitman and La
Grande districts: Frog Heav-
en, McCully Forks, Miller
Lane, North Fork Catherine
Creek, Oregon, South Fork,
Southwest Shore, Umapine,
Union Creek, Wetmore and
Yellow Pine.
Services such as trash
collection, potable water
and toilets may be limited or
unavailable.
Campers should come
prepared to be self-suffi cient
and practice “leave no trace”
ethics, including packing out
everything they pack in.
A chart of the status of all
Wallowa-Whitman recreation
facilities is available at www.
fs.usda.gov/recmain/wal-
lowa-whitman/recreation.
The Observer
LA GRANDE — The
residence of Dawn Guen-
tert and C’s Storage were
chosen as the spring recip-
ients of the city of La
Grande Community Land-
scape and Forestry Com-
mission’s beautifi cation
awards.
At 1305 Ninth St., Guen-
tert has transformed the
space between the sidewalk
and the curb into a colorful
planting bed. Previously a
plain grass lawn, the space
is now a charming collec-
tion of perennial plants,
shrubs and garden accents.
The landscaping at the front
of the home extends around
the corner and along the
public access alley. Guen-
tert said her garden is as
much for her neighbors
as herself, and she enjoys
sharing her beautiful yard
with passersby.
C’s Storage, 3107 Cove
Ave., received the commer-
cial award. Members of the
selection committee were
impressed with both the
quality and quantity of the
landscape work done on the
property — including effec-
tive use of hardscaping, new
shrubs and trees, the reten-
tion of more mature trees,
and overall outstanding
maintenance of the prop-
erty. Owner Steven Hogan
said he loves La Grande and
is committed to making a
positive contribution to the
city and its environment.
The city commis-
sion recognizes efforts to
maintain and improve the
beauty and diversity of
La Grande’s environment
through outstanding land-
scape maintenance and
design. Seasonal awards
are given to residential
and commercial properties
that have been carefully
landscaped and attract the
viewer. These landscapes
must be seen from public
access and can include one
or more the following cri-
teria: integrating colors and
textures of plants, appro-
priate use of hardscapes,
the care and planting of
trees in our community
forest, good use of space,
resource conservation,
wildlife habitat, seasonal
diversity, food production,
owners who have overcome
Births
Grande Ronde Hospital
ANDERSON: To Lana
Anderson and Micah An-
derson, of La Grande, a son,
Nicolai “Nico” Anderson,
May 23 at 1:40 p.m. Grand-
parents are Bruce Anderson,
Katy Anderson and Reed
Stewart.
DETHLOFF: To Vicky De-
thloff and David Dethloff, of
Haines, a daughter, Kennedy
Grace Dethloff, May 26.
LEGGETT: To Kimberly
I. Leggett and Nathan B.
Leggett, of La Grande, a
daughter, Lucille Grace Leg-
gett, May 22 at 3:10 a.m.
MASSI: To Stephanie Jo
Sanders and Michael Vin-
cent Massi, of Elgin, a son,
Ryker Vincent Massi, May 28
at 3:53 p.m. Grandparents
are Paul Sanders, Billie Jo
Roper, Jeff Scott Towell and
the late Lorraine Kathleen
Canahan.
STEBBINS: To Carrie
Kristen Stebbins and
Tyson Gerald Stebbins, of
La Grande, a son, Ryker
John Stebbins, May 20 at
7:17 p.m. Grandparents are
John and Teresa Stebbins,
Teresa Stratton, and Mike
and Kimberly Stratton.
SWALBERG: To Katelyn
Rose Davison and Cody Rus-
sel Swalberg, of La Grande,
a son, Levin Russel Swal-
berg, May 31 at 7:48 a.m.
Honors
Carolyn Castro awarded
local PEO scholarship
LA GRANDE — Carolyn
Castro, La Grande High
School, has been select-
ed as the recipient of the
2020-21 Union County P.E.O.
Tri-Chapter Scholarship.
This $,3000 scholarship
is awarded annually to a
graduating senior girl who
will be attending Eastern Or-
egon University, La Grande.
Scholarship applications
are evaluated for academic
achievement, community
service, fi nancial need and
commitment to higher
education.
The scholarship is funded
by the three local chapters
of P.E.O., a philanthropic
organization dedicated to
the education of women.
special circumstances.
Nominations for beauti-
fi cation awards are accepted
spring, summer and fall
from members of the com-
mission, city employees,
neighbors and citizens.
Nominations are now
being accepted for the
summer beautifi cation
awards. Send them to
trees@cityofl agrande.org
or call the Urban Forestry
Division at 541-663-1952.
Submitted photo
C’s Storage, 3107 Cove Ave., La Grande, received the
spring commercial beautifi cation award from the city’s
Community Landscape and Forestry Commission.
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
MONDAY
6:54 a.m. — La Grande police
took a report for the theft of a
gun on the 1800 block of 26th
Street.
9:22 a.m. — A caller asked
to speak to law enforcement
about possible cattle neglect.
The animal enforcement offi cer
referred the complaint to Wal-
lowa County.
7:48 p.m. — Law enforce-
ment responded to the 2600
block of Island Avenue for a
disturbance and trespassed one
person.
TUESDAY
1:09 a.m. — The Union
County Sheriff’s Offi ce ar-
rested Chucky Eugene Pool,
19, of Elgin, on accusations
of second-degree burglary,
second-degree theft, third-de-
gree mischief, second-degree
trespass, use of a minor in a
marijuana offense and endan-
gering the welfare of a minor.
7:54 a.m. — An Elgin resident
reported receiving harassing
phone calls.
12:45 p.m. — The Union
County Sheriff’s Offi ce received
a report of a vandalism to sev-
Group protests in La Grande
A small group gathered
Tuesday at Cook
Memorial Library,
La Grande, in the latest
protest “in honor of
George Floyd and all
others” wrongly killed,
according to organizer
Evelyn Wallace. The
group of sign holders
and singers grew to
about 10-12 people.
GRSA plans virtual
membership meeting
LA GRANDE — Grande
Ronde Symphony Associa-
tion’s annual membership
meeting will be held virtually.
The Board of Directors of the
Grande Ronde Symphony
Association will conduct
the meeting via Zoom on
Tuesday, June 16, begin-
ning at 5 p.m. Those who
are interested in attending
may call Alice Trindle, GRSA
president, at 541-519-7234 for
instructions and an invita-
tion.
Submitted photo
The home of Dawn Guentert, 1305 Ninth St., La Grande, was the spring recipient of the
residential beautifi cation award from the city’s Community Landscape and Forestry
Commission.
eral vehicles at East Beakman
and East Arch streets, Union.
A deputy responded to the
scene.
7:41 p.m. — A caller reported
a domestic disturbance at Mor-
gan Lake outside La Grande. A
Union County sheriff’s deputy
responded and separated the
parties.
10:16 p.m. — La Grande
police responded the 700 block
of K Avenue for a loud party.
Police counseled juveniles, who
said they would keep down the
noise.
We would like to thank Dr. Blake Gornowicz,
and all of the staff at the GRH for the wonderful
care they gave our daughter, Carrie Morton. The
consideration and thoughtfulness they showed
not only to Carrie, but also the rest of her family
was very appreciated.
We would also like to thank
Veronica and staff at the New
Day Pine St. home for the
loving and excellent
care that they
provided for Carrie.
Carrie Joy Morton
1988 to 2020
Staff photo by Ronald Bond
OBITUARIES
Santa V. (Veristain) Hill
Wilma ‘Jeane’ Nebeker
1924-2020 • La Grande
1927-2020 • Formerly of La Grande
Santa V. Hill, 96, of La
Grande, died June 6 at a
local care facility. At her
request, there will not be a
service.
Santa was
born Feb. 13,
1924, in Vale,
to Ventura and
Rita (Bengo-
chea) Veri-
stain. She
resided in Vale and La
Grande. She was married to
Dr. Gerald M. Hill.
Surviving relatives
include her children, Lisa
Hill of La Grande and Jerry
Hill of Covington, Wash-
ington; niece, Kathleen
Dawson; and nephews,
Fred Crisman and Ralph
Bigelow.
She was preceded in
death by her husband, Dr.
Gerald M. Hill; sisters,
Filomena Crisman, Juanita
Bashford, Avelina Bigelow
and Petra McCrary; and
brother, Mark Veristain.
In lieu of fl owers, memo-
rial contributions may be
made to the Blue Mountain
Humane Association, 3212
Highway 30, La Grande
97850.
Online condolences
may be made to the family
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
Wilma “Jeane” Nebeker,
92, formerly of La Grande,
died June 3 at her home
in Winters, California. A
graveside service will be
held June 12 at 10 a.m. at
Hillcrest Cemetery.
Known as
Jeane, she was
born June 8,
1927, in La
Grande. She
met her future
husband,
Wiley Melven Nebeker,
while living in Elgin, and
they were married April 9,
1946, in the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints
Salt Lake Temple.
Jeane and Wiley lived on
the Nebeker farm in the Mt.
Glen area, where they raised
their seven children. Jeane
was active in the commu-
nity and in the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. In 2012, she moved
to Winters, California, to
live with her daughter.
Surviving relatives
include her children, Leland
Nebeker, Jan McBride,
Kay Padilla, Penny Flory
and Scott Nebeker; 34
grandchildren; and 97
great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in
death by her husband,
Wiley, and daughters,
Elayne Nebeker and Jeri
DeGagne.
Dorothy B. Pope
Elgin
Dorothy B. Pope, 90, of
Elgin died June 10 at her
home. Arrangements are by
Loveland Funeral Chapel &
Crematory.
William Wells
Formerly of La Grande
William Wells, 90,
formerly of La Grande,
died June 5 in Newport.
Open for Take Out Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Upcoming
local services
Appetizers
Entrees
Salmon Cakes $8
6oz Mushroom Tenderloin $23
Shrimp Pasta $15
with chipotle mayo
Cheese and Veggie Plate $5
Small Plate
Soup
NY Steak Kabobs $12
Southwest Chicken
Sandwiches
Salad
Roast Beef Dip $14
Pulled Pork $12
Taco Salad-beef or chicken $12
House Salad $7
Add chicken or shrimp $3
Blue Plate Special $12
Calendar courtesy
of Loveland Funeral
Chapel
June 12 — JEANE
NEBEKER: 10 a.m. grave-
side service, Hillcrest
Cemetery, La Grande.
June 12 — MARY
McKAGUE: 2 p.m. grave-
side service; Hillcrest
Cemetery, La Grande.
June 13 — RONALD
CASWELL: 10 a.m.
memorial service and
potluck (bring a dish to
share); Riverside Park
Pavilion, La Grande.
Cioppino
with salad and sourdough bread
Pie Time
Strawberry Gala Pie
Desserts
Our Very Best Chocolate Cake $6
Cheesecake $6
Chocolate Hazelnut Torte $6
Sunday Night
Family Style Pulled Pork Dinner $24
with baked beans, fruit salad and cole slaw
4 servings
Market Menu including sides, soups, sauces and dressings @ www.tendepotstreet.com
Pre-Orders Welcome: 541-963-8766
FAMILY
OWNED
Arrangements by Bateman
Funeral Home of Newport.
Phyllis Wells
Formerly of La Grande
Phyllis Wells, 90, for-
merly of La Grande,
died May 8 in Newport.
Arrangements by Bateman
Funeral Home of Newport.
John C. Duff y
La Grande
John C. Duffy, 83, of La
Grande, died May 30 at St.
Alphonsus Medical Center
in Baker City. Arrange-
ments by Gray’s West &
Co. Pioneer Chapel of
Baker City.
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Gerry is truly a gift to the community.
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last 20 years. Prior to COVID-19 and when this is all over with: She is currently the Volunteer Coordinator
five days a week where she schedules volunteer groups to serve lunch and assist with catering jobs that
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