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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (March 10, 2022)
8 BEHIND THE SCENES MARCH 9�16, 2022 FROM THE COVER Pendleton Air Museum soars with history By Tammy Malgesini Go! Magazine HONORING VOLUNTEERS Veterans Bob Stangier, 98, and Ken Garrett, 90, will be honored during the Pendleton Air Museum’s annual meet and greet set for Thursday, March 24, 5:30 p.m. at Mac’s Bar & Grill, 1400 SW Dorion Ave. in Pendleton. All are welcome. Order food in advance by calling 541-278-5531 or online at www.macsbargrill.com. P ENDLETON — With the goal of preserving Pendleton’s aviation and military history, a group of enthusiasts initially formed a couple of decades ago. And in September 2017, they opened the doors to the Pendleton Air Museum, 21 SW Emigrant Ave. Current operating hours are Monday and Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays noon-2 p.m. The collection is tucked away in a 200-square-foot space, but the mu- seum’s 12-member board of directors has high hopes to spread its wings in the future. Debbie Rasmussen, museum coordinator, said they are in negotiations for a larger facility in an undisclosed downtown Pendleton location. The museum board, she said, has been so successful in acquiring arti- facts that there isn’t adequate display space. In fact, the Pendleton Air Museum recently had to turn down the off er of an F-104 Starfi ghter that was part of the Oregon National Guard. Because of space limitations, the museum regularly rotates its displays. Rasmussen said visitors can view items Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian Korean War Army veteran Ken Garrett, 90, walks through the Pendleton Air Museum Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, while volunteering at the museum. from several wars, including medals and memorabilia from World War II, newspa- per clippings and other publications, gas masks, mortar shells and munitions, as well as military uniforms, including those worn by area residents during their ac- tive military service. In addition, the museum often hosts special events, including its regular drop-in Operator Coff ee. Throughout the month of March, visitors are invited to enjoy a cup of joe — featured coff ees are Swat Command (saluting canine soldiers and their human partners), Night Shift (recognizing doctors and nurses) and 2 In 2 Out (honoring fi refi ghters). Rasmussen said during a special canine salute — March 13-19 — biscuits will be available for dogs and cookies for humans, and in observance of Vietnam War Veterans Day, all Vietnam vets will receive a service ornament on Monday, March 28. Also, a pair of nonagenarians will soon be recognized as volunteers of the year. Bob Stangier, a 98-year-old World War II Air Force veteran, and Ken Garrett, a 90-year-old Korean War Army veteran, will be honored during the museum’s annual meet and greet. Mike Short, one of the museum’s founders, will be the special speaker. The no-host event is Thursday, March Spring Classes at Crossroads Classes Starting in March Ongoing Classes Portrait Painting with Acrylic March 15, 22, 29; April 5, 12, 18, 26 Wednesdays Learn to Love Watercolor and Pastels Fridays Young Artists’ Studio Beginning Clog Dance March 28 – May 16 Saturdays Adult Open Studio Adult Intermediate Wheel Throwing March 30, April 6, Apr 27 Beginning Kumihimo March 31 2020 Auburn Avenue Baker City, Oregon 541.523.5369 www.crossroads-arts.org www.crossroads-arts.org Crossroads is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm Children’s Ballet Tuesday Ballet I March 29 – May 17 Wednesday Ballet II March 30 – May 18 Thursday Ballet III March 31 – May 20 24, 5:30 p.m. at Mac’s Bar & Grill, 1400 SW Dorion Ave. in Pendleton. Order food in advance by calling 541-278-5531 or via www.macsbargrill.com. Upcoming events off er a chance to have fun while raising money for the mu- seum’s building fund. They include: • 80th Remembrance of the Doolittle Raid, April 18, 5 p.m. at BackFire Station, 911 SW Court Ave., Pendleton. Tickets for the 1940s-style dinner and silent auction event are $30 each. • USO-style Dance, April 23, 6 p.m. in the Let ‘er Buck Room at the Pend- leton Round-Up Grounds. Tickets are $25 for museum members and $30 for non-members. The Brass Fire Band will play music from the 1940s and beyond. People are encouraged to don period style from the 1930s to 1950s, with door prizes presented to the best dressed. The museum has gift shop items, including hats, ornaments, T-shirts, commemorative patches, the documen- tary DVD “World War II in a Wild West Town” and more. For more information, including a link to its GoFundMe build- ing fund campaign, visit www.pendleto- nairmuseum.org. For answers to other questions, call 541-276-6156 or email pendletonairmuseum@gmail.com.