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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2020)
RECORDS AND MORE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020 A local feast for the ages class yet the price of tickets is $2,” the editorial stated. The newspaper also commented on the abun- dance of turkeys in the community. “There are lots of tur- keys around the burg this year and not a few of these toothsome birds will be sac- rifi ced in the greed of man at the approaching Thanks- giving,” the Oregon Scout stated. Twelve years later, many La Grande residents attended a Thanksgiving “grand ball” put on by the Foresters of America, a fra- ternal society. The ball was conducted at a local opera house. Music was con- ducted by a group named Meade’s Orchestra and Thanksgiving dinner was served at midnight. Tickets cost $1 and at least 100 were sold, according to an article in a November 1901 edition of The Observer. Fast-forward to Nov. 26, 1937, when a meal that had Looking back at past Union County Thanksgivings By Dick Mason The Observer UNION COUNTY — Midnight dinners, grand balls featuring orchestra music and a meal so boun- tiful that an Observer head- line about it had an excla- mation mark. Union County’s Thanks- giving Day history is marked by such highlights. Early records of Thanks- giving celebrations in Union County date back at least to 1889 when there was an account of upcoming grand ball and supper in the Nov. 21, 1889, edition of the Oregon Scout, then a weekly newspaper in Union. An editorial in the newspaper said the grand ball would be memorable and a bargain. “Everything will be fi rst THE OBSERVER — 3A Holiday shopping season underway few if any equal locally was provided at a Civilian Con- servation Corps camp near Hilgard. Served at Camp Hilgard were fruit cups, hot rolls, celery, radishes, roast turkey, cranberry sauce, creamed potatoes, scal- loped corn, pumpkin pie, ice cream and coffee. Each of the men at Camp Hilgard also received a pack of cig- arettes, according to a story in the Nov. 27 Observer. The camp’s crew con- sumed 750 pounds of turkey, 25 gallons of ice cream and 75 pumpkin pies. After their Thanks- giving Day feast they were not done eating. At 8 p.m. they were served 200 dozen doughnuts and 75 gallons of cider. The Civilian Conserva- tion Corps camp was one of many operating in Oregon between 1933 and 1942. The CCC was a public work relief program started as part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. OTEC reminds locals to stay safe The Observer fi re hazard. Artifi cial trees should have fi re resistance protection. Never place a tree near heat-emitting devices. • Lights should have a label indicating an inde- pendent testing laboratory accreditation. • Make sure the lights are rated for the location they will be used. Before hanging lights, check the strands for broken bulbs, fraying or bare wires that could present hazards. Replace damaged products. • Extension cords should only have three strands of BAKER CITY — Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative reminds locals not to let the colorful sparkle distract from safety when decorating. OTEC in a press release provided tips to help with holiday decorating safety. • Consider the safest tree for your home. Real trees should have green nee- dles, and the trunk should be sturdy and sticky with resin. Keep your tree stand fi lled with water so the tree does not become dry and a lights connected to them. Never run extension cords under carpets, through doorways or where they could be damaged. When outdoors, never run exten- sion cords through wet environments, such as snow. When securing light strands, never staple or nail them into place, as this could damage the product. • When decorating out- side, double check that you and any equipment, such as a ladder or a light strand, are a minimum 10 feet from overhead power lines. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FRIDAY, NOV. 27 100 block of Fir Street. An offi cer responded and coun- seled one person. 10:54 a.m. — A La Grande resident reported telephonic harassment. An offi cer contacted a person and issued a warning. 4:46 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of a domestic disturbance on the 2000 block of N Avenue. Offi cers responded and determined it was an argument. 7:01 p.m. — A caller reported a domestic distur- bance on the 1200 block of Evanston Street, Elgin. Union County sheriff’s dep- uties responded and sepa- rated the parties, but no one wanted to pursue charges. 9:55 a.m. — La Grande police received a request for contact regarding possible abuse. An offi cer made con- tact, took information and explained options. 11:19 a.m. — A caller asked to speak to the animal enforcement offi cer about cats in the area of Main and East Beakman streets, Union. The offi cer made contact and explained options. 6:25 p.m. — A Sum- merville resident reported the theft of medication. A Union County sher- iff’s deputy responded, but no one wanted to pursue charges. SATURDAY, NOV. 28 SUNDAY, NOV. 29 4:33 a.m. — La Grande police received a com- plaint about noise on the 12:57 a.m. — La Grande police received a request for assistance with a person experiencing mental illness. Police contacted a mental health provider. 9:41 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the 200 block of N Avenue for a female yelling. She moved along after an offi cer arrived. 1:49 p.m. — A caller was suspicious someone would abandon a trailer near Pierce and Foothill roads, La Grande. A Union County sheriff’s deputy found no one was aban- doning the trailer at that moment. 8:06 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1300 block of Madison Avenue on a report of a bur- glary at a residence. Offi - cers determined nothing was stolen and would pro- vide extra patrols. Come Check Out The FALL Fun We Are Having at GRANDE Kaleb Lay/The Observer Pedestrians make their way into downtown La Grande on Black Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, a day heralded as the unoffi cial start of the holiday shopping season. OBITUARIES Ray Taylor Esther L. Hofmann Ray Taylor, 82, of La Grande, died Nov. 28. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande. Esther L. Hofmann, 102, of La Grande, died Nov. 27 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A graveside ser- vice will be held Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. at Hillcrest Cem- etery. Attendees must wear a mask and prac- tice social distancing to meet COVID-19 guide- lines. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande. La Grande La Grande Please follow guide- lines regarding face cov- erings and social dis- tancing at all services. Dec. 4 — ESTHER HOFMANN: 2 p.m. graveside service; Hill- crest Cemetery, La Grande. — Calendar courtesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande Raymond D. Omohundro Summerville Raymond D. Omo- hundro, 87, of Summer- ville, died Nov. 28 at his home. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande. Maurice Rogers 975-2000 La Grande Maurice Rogers, 92, of La Grande, died Nov. 25 at Grande Ronde Hos- pital. Arrangements are by Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, La Grande. La GRANDE AUTO REPAIR Charles Rothwell www.lagrandeautorepair.com La Grande Charles Rothwell, 87, of La Grande, died Nov, 30 at his home. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande. 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