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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 2016)
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016 Business & Ag Halfway: Bobcat attack CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Courtney says she kept their well-trained dog close by her side, and the large cat stood and walked back to the broken window, where it made its escape. Further searching found dead ducks and chickens, both belonging to the Holtons and to their neigh- bor who was out of town for a few days. The Holtons nailed boards across the broken window in an attempt to block further access by the bobcat. After daylight, further searching found more dead birds. One goat has yet to be found, and is feared killed. As the big cat has found a plentiful source of food, the family is naturally afraid he will return to con- tinue his predations. The town of Halfway has been alerted to the dan- ger but, as yet, the bobcat had not been spotted since Sunday night. Bobcats are not consid- ered a threat to humans unless cornered. However most families in the area have pets, and many have small flocks of chickens and ducks. The Holtons’ plan, how- ever, will continue—and they explained how the idea for the goat farm came to be. Two of their three children are on the autism spectrum. As an involved and educated mother, Courtney had researched recommendations about lifestyle and environment in her efforts to offer her children the best opportu- nities in which, typically, people who are on the spectrum tend to reach their fullest potential. Her findings showed that small, rural communities tended to be more open and welcoming, giving kids with autism more opportunities for social interaction and inclusion. As most rural families know from generational experience, working with livestock and having outdoor chores educates all children in the realities of life, and these lessons are even more necessary to children who have special needs. Learning about cause and effect, frequently a dif- ficult concept for children with challenges, is never more clear and logical than when helping their family grow their own food and raise their own stock. The benefits offered to those who live in metro- politan areas include better access to care but, as most parents of children with disabilities know, their day to day experiences are fre- quently less encouraging of social growth and more isolating. Once their family made the transition from their lives in Temecula, Cali- fornia, to the tiny town of Halfway on the eastern border of Oregon, the work really began. The goal became to de- velop a plan to sustain the family, give each family member the opportunity to be vitally involved in a family project, and find ways to “pay forward” the kindnesses they had experienced in their reloca- tion and transition to rural life. Dear to both Doug and Courtney’s hearts are fami- lies of children with kids on the autism spectrum and other special needs. Because of the sensi- tivities to chemicals that their children, like many others, experience, Court- ney began raising milk goats and making soap for the family. Because they researched the breeds prior to their first purchase, they are raising goats who pro- vide high butterfat milk, and plan to sell their milk locally. Additionally, the family started building a flock of the more exotic varieties of chickens. They are build- ing this into an online busi- ness, as fertilized eggs of the special breeds of chicks can be sold at a profit. The Holtons are in the process of applying for FSA loans to build their small farm. Their long-term goal includes more than just operating a smallholding, however. As Courtney says, “As a parent of kids with special needs, I want so much to give other families the op- portunity to take a break. Life as a ‘Special Family’ can be exhausting, and chances to just relax with their kids in a place where they are all accepted and encouraged are so had to find!” The Special Kid Goat Farm will allow special needs families to come and stay on site for a long weekend, learn about farm life, milk goats and participate in making their own goat milk soap, which will be labeled with the family’s name and be taken home with them. During their stay, she hopes to have opportuni- ties for relaxation for the parents, while their chil- dren are safely and happily entertained. Courtney plans to raise funds and collect donations to cover spa retreats, mas- sages, and fishing trips for these parents. Meanwhile, neighbors have spotted a smaller bobcat, female, in the close area, and another neigh- bor’s puppy treed a very young bobcat Tuesday, so it’s looking as though there might be an entire family of bobcats living in close to town. Boock House added to this year’s Historic Parlor Tours BY SAMANTHA O’CONNER — Weekly Hay Report — Friday, November 25, 2016 — Eastern Oregon (No report this week due to holiday.) Last week: Prices trended generally steady compared to week ago prices. Most demand lays with the retail/stable hay. According to some producers, horse owners are starting to prefer lower sugar, higher protein hay. Recent dry weather in areas throughout the state has increased movement. Tons Price Range Wtd Avg Alfalfa — Large Square Fair/Good 60 105.00-105.00 105.00 Last Week Alfalfa/Orchard Mix — Small Square Premium 10 185.00-185.00 185.00 Orchard Grass— Small Square Premium 20 165.00-165.00 165.00 USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov — Cattle Market Report — Wednesday, November 23, 2016 Vale, Oregon Cattle sold through the auction: 359 Steer Calves 300-400# Bulk 151.00 - 178.00 Top 180.00 400-500# Bulk 131.00 - 149.00 Top 152.00 500-600# Bulk 109.00 - 136.00 Top 127.50 Heifer Calves 300-400# Bulk 129.00 - 144.00 Top 148.00 400-500# Bulk 124.00 - 136.00 Top 139.50 500-600# Bulk 111.00 - 122.00 Top 123.00 Yearling Steers 600-700# Bulk 116.00 - 121.00 Top 122.00 700-800# Bulk N/A Top N/A 800-900# Bulk 114.00 - 122.00 Top 126.50 900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A Yearling Heifers 600-700# Bulk N/A Top N/A 700-800# Bulk N/A Top N/A 800-900# Bulk N/A Top N/A 900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A Thin Shelly Cows 38.00 - 49.00 Butcher Cows 49.00 - 59.00 Butcher Bulls 53.00 - 67.00 Pairs Young N/A Hfretts. 59.00 - 87.00 Stock Cows Young - 985.00 - 1290.00 ProducersLivestock.com 541-473-3136 Samantha@TheBakerCountyPress.com On Saturday, December 10, Historic Baker City will hold the Historic Parlor Tours from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. This is the 31st year His- toric Baker City has held the event. The event is open to the public and begins at the Baker Heritage Museum, where people attending will find brochures and map. Historic homes and buildings such as the Leo Adler House Museum and the Orpheum Theater will be on the tour. According to Historic Baker City Secretary Rose- mary Abell, so far there are two new houses on the tour, including the Boock House on 2644 Walnut Street. The Boock House was just recently recognized by the Historic Baker City on August 1 as one of Historic Baker City’s homes. The Boock house was built in 1898-1899 and was formerly a cigar fac- tory, built and operated by Charles Boock. The building had been renovated and is now a home. “We looked through everything, took a tour of it, and decided we would designate it as one of our historic homes,” explained Larry Abell, President of Historic Baker City. “And that’s why, this year, we’re sort of celebrating that by having it on the tour.” — Log Price Report — Price per 1,000 board feet: Northeast Oregon Currently the local log market is flooded with fire salvage logs. The log buyer for Malheur Lumber Co. stated they have all the logs they need under contract and are not accepting any new purchases. BCC/LLC of La Grande has receive so many burned fire salvage logs they are no longer accepting logs at the La Grande log yard. Any additional pine logs have to be delivered to the Elgin Log yard cut in plywood lengths and to a 8 inch top. For these pine logs cut in plywood lengths, BCC is offering $280.00/mbf. They are also paying $420.00/ mbf for Doug Fir & Western Larch. For White Fir they are offing $325.00/mbf. At the Pilot Rock Saw Mill BCC is offing $360.00/mbf for a 12 to 15 inch top, for 16 to 19 inch top $400.00/ mbf & offing $425.00/mbf for 20 inch plus top Courtesy of Arvid Andersen, Andersen Forestry Consulting Samantha O’Conner/ The Baker County Press The Boock House is a new addition to this year’s self-guided tour. Another addition is the Palmer House. The Crossroads Carnegie Art Center received the house from the will of the previous owner as a dona- tion. The house was techni- cally on last year’s Parlor Tours but has since been repaired and added to. It was built in 1910 by a Baker City Jeweler Walter Palmer. Tickets are available at the Historic Baker City office, Betty’s Books, the Chamber of Commerce, Crossroads, and Bella Main Street Market. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and for a group of ten or more it is $10 a piece. The ticket also allows people into the Leo Adler House Museum and the Heritage Museum at no extra cost. “It’s one way of working with HBC to help make our community available to visitors, people who come here,” explained Larry Abell. “We’ve had a number of calls about this year and making sure we are having the tour and people that were here last year bringing new people because they were so excited about it. “That’s why it’s re- ally fun to have some new homes and new locations and some of the familiar ones.” SUBSCRIBE TODAY! SEE PAGE 9 FOR HOW. — Precious Metals Report — Price per ounce, USD Gold: $1,190.00 Silver: $16.68 Platinum: $919.80 Palladium: $764.05 Bloomberg.com — Ag Commodities — Corn: $352.00/bu/USD Wheat: $411.25/bu/USD Soybeans: $1044.00/bu/USD Oats: $212.50 bu/USD Rough Rice: $9.58/cwt/USD Canola: $520.60 CAD/mwt Live Cattle: $109.05/lb./USD Feeder Cattle: $125.88/lb./USD Lean Hogs: $55.33/lb./USD Bloomberg.com