RECORDS
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022
THE OBSERVER — A5
New manager of Wallowa County Farmers Market has big plans
By ANN BLOOM
Wallowa County Chieftain
WALLOWA COUNTY
— Jessica Bogard, the new
manager of the Wallowa
County Farmers Market has
plans for the market. Big
plans.
When describing the
market, she uses words such
as “vibrancy,” “passion” and
“fantastic.”
Bogard is not new to
market management. She
managed the La Grande
Farmers Market for years and
was on its board of directors.
Prior to her appointment to
her position with the Wal-
lowa County market, she was
on its board of directors. She
has also been a vendor at the
La Grande market, so she has
seen all sides of a farmers
market. She is also a master
gardener.
Her background includes
owning the Looking Glass
bookstore in La Grande (she
holds a bachelor of arts in
English from Oregon State
University), owning and
developing a website and blog
Bogard
focused on healthy food and
sustainable living and cre-
ating an agricultural fl ower
business.
Bogard was drawn to
the position of the Wallowa
County Farmers Market
manager, she says, because
“I felt that my talents were
more toward vendor relations,
the farmers and the commu-
nity (than on a board) and
that I could best help in this
position.”
What she loves most about
a farmers market are the
people.
“I love the passion of
farmers and artisans. I enjoy
the sustainability of food sys-
tems. I enjoy how we target
families who need us (with
SNAP and EBT availability),”
she said.
Other than the farmers
market, there are no other
easily accessible food options
other than grocery stores in
Wallowa County.
Bogard wants to see the
market return to its former
glory, pre-pandemic. She is
interested in vendor retention,
community relations and sta-
bilizing the market. She said
she wants to “bring back the
vibrancy lost during COVID.
I want to bring back musi-
cians and prepared food. Part
of having a farmers market is
the vibrancy.”
And, she added, “I have
a huge amount of passion for
our community refl ected in
our artisans and artists.”
She said it is important
for a community to have a
farmers market for several
reasons: “It is important for
community growth. For the
quality of life for commu-
nity members — farmers,
artisans, artists — to build
up businesses. What is a
town without a farmers
market?”
The Wallowa County
Farmers Market attracts
what Bogard refers to as
“end-of-the-road tourism.”
Since Wallowa County is
a destination spot, tourism
helps support the market.
A market the size of the
Wallowa County Farmers
Market might not be as sup-
ported in a larger area with
more amenities or attractions
to draw from, or compete for
attention.
Asked if there was any-
thing she would want people
to know about the market,
Bogard said the Wallowa
community is a community
of “fantastic artists and pro-
ducers. Farmers markets are
vital to a community — to
the vibrancy and health of a
community. I’m committed
to our tradition of a farmers
market. Our little market is
a tough little market, and it
always comes out ahead. I’m
passionate about continuing
that tradition.”
In addition to its tradi-
tional fundraising special
events, such as the pie sale,
strawberry shortcake sale and
cider pressing, the market
will have live music on sev-
eral Saturdays, featuring
many local musicians patrons
of the market have grown to
know and appreciate over the
years.
The Wallowa County
Farmers Market, held in
Joseph at the Stein’s Distillery
parking lot, is set to open Sat-
urday, May 28, at 9 a.m. The
market runs from 9 a.m. to
2 p.m. every Saturday, rain or
shine, until mid-October. For
more information, or infor-
mation on how to become a
vendor, or to volunteer, email
wallowacountyfarmers-
market@gmail.com.
MILESTONE
Shirley Lester to celebrate
85th birthday
Shirley Lester, of Island
City, will celebrate her 85th
birthday on Friday, April
15, from 1-3 p.m. at Market
Place Fresh Foods, 1912
Fourth St., La Grande, in
the upstairs dining area.
Her friends are invited to
mark the occasion with
her. Cake, coff ee and
fi nger sandwiches will be
provided.
Lester
DEATH NOTICE
Wilford D. Hamilton
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
MEETINGS
• UNION — The Union Rural Fire
Protection District Board will meet
Tuesday, April 19, at 7 p.m. at the fi re
hall. For more information, call 541-910-
3114 or email union.rfpd@outlook.com.
BRIEFS
Learn about hospice at free
presentation
LA GRANDE — The Union
County Senior Center, 1504 N. Albany
St., La Grande, on Thursday, April
14, is hosting a hospice presentation at
1 p.m. All are welcome to come meet
Kristina Maughmer from Heart ‘n
Home Hospice and learn about hospice
as a community resource.
divided into age groups: 6 months
to 3 years at 7 p.m., 4-6 years at
7:30 p.m., and 7-9 years at 8 p.m.
The Elgin Women’s Service club’s
Easter egg hunt is on Saturday, April
16, at Stella Mayfi eld Elementary
School. This year’s event begins at
10 a.m. and is for ages 1-10.
In Wallowa County, the Joseph
Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring
an Easter egg hunt at the Joseph City
Park from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday,
April 16. Hunts will be divided by
age groups, ages newborn to 12. And
in Wallowa, an Easter egg hunt for
ages 0-11 happens at 10 a.m. Sat-
urday, April 16, at Lions Club Park.
Bonus: Kids can also meet the Easter
Bunny.
Union VFW post welcomes
donations for upcoming
yard sale
The Easter Bunny is coming
to town
LA GRANDE — The Riverside
Park Easter egg hunt in La Grande is
canceled this year — organizers had
to decide in late January whether or
not to organize the event. They hope
to return the hunt in 2023. But, don’t
worry, there are other options.
On Friday, April 15, beginning
at 4 p.m., Grande Ronde Retire-
ment Residence, 1809 Gekeler Lane,
invites kids ages 1-12 to hunt eggs,
snack on hot dogs and chips and have
their picture taken with the Easter
Bunny.
For a fun spin on the traditional
Easter activity, come to the under-
water egg hunt at Veterans’ Memo-
rial Pool, at Pioneer Park on Palmer
Avenue, on Friday, April 15. Doors
open at 6 p.m. Admission is $5 to
swim and dive for eggs and cash
them in for prizes. The event will be
UNION — The Veteran of Foreign
Wars High Valley Post 4060 in Union
is putting on a breakfast and yard sale
on Saturday, April 30. The group wel-
comes donations (no clothes, please) for
the yard sale, which will begin at 8 a.m.
A breakfast of scrambled eggs, sau-
sage, pancakes, juice and coff ee will
be served from 7-10 a.m., for $9 per
person.
Playwright hosts writing
workshop
ENTERPRISE — E.M. Lewis,
the writer-in-residence at Fishtrap,
will lead a workshop titled “Telling
Stories for the Stage: An Introduc-
tion to Playwriting” on Saturday,
April 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This
in-person session will be in the Wal-
lowa Land Trust Conference Room,
17 E. Main St., Enterprise. The cost
is listed as “pay what you can aff ord”
— register at www.fi shtrap.org/
lewisplaywriting/#more-10885.
Lewis will provide an
introduction to the fun-
damentals of playwriting,
from dialogue to stage
directions. The group
will read from plays both
old and new, and discuss
the special power of the-
Lewis
ater. All are welcome,
from beginning writers to more experi-
enced writers in other genres who want
to explore this form.
An award-winning playwright,
teacher and opera librettist, Lewis
has had her work produced around
the world. She is currently enjoying a
three-year Mellon Foundation National
Playwright Residency at Artists Rep-
ertory Theater. To learn more, visit
www.emlewisplaywright.com.
‘Celebrate Elgin’ at 2022
chamber banquet
ELGIN — The 2022 Elgin Chamber
of Commerce Banquet will begin at
5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19. All are
welcome to come “Celebrate Elgin.”
Tickets are $30 and are available at
Community Bank, Elgin Branch.
FRIDAY, APRIL 8
burglary on the 1200 block
of Adams Avenue. An offi cer
responded and took a report.
6:28 p.m. — A caller
reported two dogs were chas-
ing livestock on the 1000 block
of B Avenue, La Grande.
7:04 p.m. — A caller on the
500 block of South College
Street, Union, made a report
about menacing. Union County
sheriff ’s deputies responded
and planned for a follow-up.
SATURDAY, APRIL 9
3:17 a.m. — A La Grande
police offi cer checked on the
welfare of person in a vehicle
on the 2000 block of Adams
Avenue. Everything was OK.
12:56 p.m. — An Elgin res-
ident reported fraud to his
account. A Union County sher-
iff ’s deputy made contact and
referred the victim to his bank.
7:26 p.m. — La Grande
police received a report of a dis-
turbance involving a juvenile at
The La Grande Inn, 2612 Island
Ave. An offi cer responded and
counseled the juvenile.
7:52 p.m. — A resident on
the 100 block of Willow Street,
UPCOMING
LOCAL
SERVICES
April 14 — BOB BERRY: 10 a.m. graveside ser-
vice and burial, Island City Cemetery.
April 16 — RICK SPRINGER: 2 p.m. celebration
of life, Elgin Community Center.
April 23 — FRANCES BOLLMAN: 11 a.m.
graveside service and vault interment, Enterprise
Cemetery.
April 24 — MICHAEL ROBINSON: 2 p.m. cel-
ebration of life, Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande;
followed by reception at Riverside Park Pavilion, La
Grande.
May 7 — TODD McCOY: 1 p.m. graveside ser-
vice, Prairie Creek Cemetery, Joseph.
May 19 — ORVA MURRILL: 2 p.m. graveside
service, Union Victorian Cemetery.
May 21 — MARY SCOTT: 11 a.m. celebration of
life potluck, Elgin Community Center.
June 23 — DAN KRAMER: 2 p.m. memorial ser-
vice, Grandview Cemetery, La Grande.
Play ultimate frisbee on
Saturdays
LA GRANDE — An Ultimate
Frisbee League is underway in La
Grande. Games are played every Sat-
urday at 10 a.m. at the La Grande
Nazarene Church, 109 18th St., and
are open to adults and youth in middle
school and high school. For more, go
to www.facebook.com/UFUCClub.
— The Observer
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
2:45 a.m. — A caller
reported possible gunshots on
the 2600 block of Bearco Loop,
La Grande. Police searched the
area but found no suspects.
10:40 a.m. — A caller
reported a disturbance on the
64800 block of Sammyville
Lane, Elgin. A Union County
sheriff ’s deputy responded and
determined this was a civil mat-
ter and explained options.
10:59 a.m. — La Grande
police at La Grande Mid-
dle School, 1108 Fourth St.,
arrested a 47-year-old man for
a restraining order violation
and second-degree disorderly
conduct.
2:36 p.m. — La Grande
police responded to the 1800
block of 26th Street for a report
of harassment at a residence.
An offi cer explained options.
2:49 p.m. — A caller
reported a disturbance involv-
ing a juvenile on the 1400 block
of X Avenue, La Grande. An offi -
cer responded and explained
options.
3:29 p.m. — La Grande
police received a report of a
La Grande
Wilford D. Hamilton, 71, of La Grande, died April
11, 2022, at Grande Ronde Hospital, La Grande.
Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel &
Crematory, La Grande.
La Grande, reported possible
harassment. An offi cer made
contact and explained options.
SUNDAY, APRIL 10
12:55 a.m. — La Grande
police received a request for
a welfare check on the 1600
block of L Avenue. An offi cer
responded and found the sub-
ject was OK.
9:46 a.m. — A resident on
the 700 block of Esther Avenue,
Imbler, reported a burglary. A
Union County sheriff ’s deputy
responded and took a report.
12:44 p.m. — The Union
County Sheriff ’s Offi ce received
a report of a family issue on the
600 block of North 10th Street,
Union. A deputy made contact
and took information.
1:02 p.m. — La Grande
police received a report of
a family issue on the 2800
block of Oak Street. An offi cer
responded and took a report.
5:53 p.m. — A caller
reported a traffi c hazard at
North 17th Avenue and Detroit
Street, Elgin. A Union County
sheriff ’s deputy responded and
moved a cable from the road.
7:54 p.m. — The Union
County Sheriff ’s Offi ce received
a report of an assault on Love
Road, Cove. A Union County
sheriff ’s deputy made contact
and took a report.
9:57 p.m. — A resident on
the 1600 block of 21st Street,
La Grande, reported possible
harassment. An offi cer made
contact and explained options.
— Calendar courtesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande
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