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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 24, 2017)
8 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2017 Local The quest of a family tree SUBMITTED BY MILLIE LUTZ Family history, or ge- nealogy as some may call it, is a growing interest around the world. People young and old are dig- ging up the past, acquiring knowledge of how the life experiences of their ancestors helped to create the world in which we live today. Are you one of these individuals with a secret passion to know about those who came before you? Do you have a thirst to explore your family’s past and pull the ghosts out of the closet … you know, the ones Granddad always talked about whenever you asked to know about your ancestors? Well then, Sat- urday, February 25, is your opportunity to learn how to do just that. The Family His- tory Center, located at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is spon- soring a one-day “Family History and You” activ- ity to help you. And it’s free. This is your chance to learn the steps and the tools available to transport you back to the time of your ancestors through classes designed to help get you started. If you’re already an ancestral enthusiast, there will be classes offered to help hone your skills and assist you in breaking down the brick walls that you have been agonizing over. It all starts Saturday at 9:00 a.m. on February 25th, 2017. The instructors are local and seasoned in the field of family history, so the avenues of research they will be sharing have been tested and proven to be helpful to them—and can be for you. Just to give you a tidbit of what is being offered, here are a few of the courses: “Basic Family History;” “Orga- nizing your Paperwork”; “FamilySearch;” “Mobile Devices;” “Maps;” “Prov- ing Grandma’s Story” and many more! Bishop Tom Isaacson will be giving the keynote address to get you excited and ready for your day. A free light lunch will be served, there will be displays, and even door prizes. Family History Consultants will be avail- able in the Family History Center to give you per- sonalized help in building your family tree. If for some reason, you are unavailable to attend this informative and fun event, the Family History Center is located at 2526 Hughes Lane in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building (en- trance is on the east side), where you can find con- sultants ready and willing to assist you, one-on-one, with your research needs. An additional benefit of visiting the Family History Center, which many are unaware of, is the access to many paid research sites, such as Ancestry.com and Fold 3.com—for free! The time is now to learn about those who shaped your life - your grandpar- ents, great-grandparents, great-great grandparents, and so on - bringing them to life, helping you to bet- ter understand the roots of your family tree. Mark your calendars and make the commitment to begin or continue your quest. Halfway woman to compete on television’s ‘The Voice’ Violin lessons offered Baker 5J School District in partnership with Cross- roads Carnegie Art Center have contracted with Jeremy Clawson to teach violin lessons at Brooklyn Elementary as part of Friday Academy. At this point, the classes are full and a waiting list has started. This project is only made possible to the support of the Grande Ronde Sym- phony and Art Center East in LaGrande who are loaning their children violin kits to Baker School District for the starter instruments needed for the students. “Crossroads is so appreciative of the Grande Ronde Symphony and Art Center East who are loaning their youth violins. GRSA purchased these violins from a grant they received from the Wildhorse Foundation. Students will be loaned the instruments and they and their families will be responsible for the care of this expensive instruments. In fact some students have come to classes with their own instruments which has allowed for more students to play,” stated Ginger Savage, Executive Direc- tor Crossroads Carnegie Art Center. “Baker 5J School District is pleased to be able to partner with Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, the Grande Ronde Symphony and the Art Center East in La Grande in providing this experi- ence for our students. By continuing to develop partner- ships with the greater community we believe that we can better serve the needs of our families and students.” Mr. Clawson, a recent transplant to Baker City will be assisted by Brian Watt, Board Chair of Crossroads as a volunteer to assist every Friday at Brooklyn Primary. Currently, they need two full size violins for students and one, one-quarter size violin. These can be donated to Crossroads or they can be loaned to the student. Cross- roads has a sample instrument loan contract. If you have a violin to be donated or loaned please call Crossroads at 541-523-5369. BY SUNNY WERNER Sunny@TheBakerCountyPress.com 17 year-old Karry Davis has been singing since she was tiny. Her family are all musically gifted, and recognized Karry’s special talent when she was very young. She has performed in public since she was three, singing at local rodeos and commu- nity events. She sings with her sisters, her parents, her grandmother and grand- father. Even so, when her grandmother, Linda Miller, talked Karry into sending in a submission to NBC’s “The Voice,” she wasn’t expecting the return email inviting her to try out in Baltimore. But it came nonetheless. The costs of the trip were a stumbling block, but family and friends have rallied with fundraisers and personal support. Karry has suffered through a series of surger- ies over the past couple of years, which prevented her from attending Pine Eagle High School with her friends. Fortunately Halfway is a very small town of 280, and the local residents support their own. Karry’s friends are delighted for this oppor- tunity for her, and have been a constant source of encouragement. Amy Lord, owner of The Hells Canyon Inn outside Oxbow, who has long been a friend of the family, sug- gested running a raffle out of her establishment. Lord collected prizes includ- BLM seeks reclamation award nominations Submitted Photo. Karry Davis left for Baltimore this week to audition on ‘The Voice.’ ing the grand prize which was front row tickets to a Seattle Seahawks game, with other prizes includ- ing a Snake River boating trip. The event was very successful, raising $2,000 in four hours. Individuals, family and friends, have also contrib- uted. The community of Halfway has been very supportive of Karry, hav- ing heard her sing and watched her grow from a little performer at rodeos to a contestant in a national venue. Messages on her Facebook page from the townspeople are full of excitement and praise: “I’m proud of you, Karry, and so glad to see you doing what you love” “Best of luck ... Knock ‘em dead, girl!” “I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am for you, kiddo! I wish you the best of luck” “You got this!” “Good luck, love!” “Keep your head up and show those judges what you’re made of! A small town cowgirl from Half- way Oregon, rocking The Voice!” Old Pine Market in Halfway invited her to hold another fundraiser on Tuesday, adding to the travel funds. Karry performed there in the afternoon, and entertained some surprised shoppers as well as those who had gone to the Market specifi- cally to support her. Amy Lord bought the plane tickets and will be accompanying Karry to Baltimore in the place of Karry’s mother, who is ill. The two leave Halfway early tomorrow, headed to Baltimore via Boise. Karry is hoping this will bring her the exposure she needs to jumpstart her ca- reer. She has big plans, and sees this opportunity as her ticket out. Karry knows this is the chance of a lifetime, and says “I hope I can in- spire others to chase their dreams.” EOU announces concert in Haines The Grande Ronde Symphony Association is pleased to announce their third Chamber Series Concert on March 4, 2017 at the Haines United Meth- odist Church in Haines, Oregon. Entitled, “An Evening of World Melo- dies” attendees will be treated to folk music from all over the world, through the enchanting instruments of violin, guitar, man- dolin, bass, ukulele and the hammered dulcimer. Musicians performing on these various instruments will be Anthony R. Corig (Corigliano) and Angela Rosemeyer. Mr. Corig, known to most as Tony, started his musical career at the age of eight when he began violin study with Reggero Ricci, world renowned violinist. Anthony’s repertoire grew as he branched into guitar study in Southern Califor- nia with jazz artist Howard Roberts, composition with Florence Jolly and Piano with Anita Priest, Principal Pianist at the Los Angeles Music Center. Anthony wrote his first composition in September of 1970 a piece entitled “The Death of Shiela” Corig is the owner of Direct Music Source in La Grande, where he teaches music. He is the lead jazz guitar- ist in Pendulum Swing, a local jazz band. Rosemeyer has been playing guitar for over 40 years. She is a graduate of the University of Portland, receiving her Bachelors in Music Education and a Masters in Education. Angela studied Classi- cal guitar with Maestro Manuel Lopez Ramos, Frank Costa, along with various other well-known artists. The Chamber Series performance on Saturday, March 4, 2017 will mark the first time the Grande Ronde Symphony Asso- ciation has brought their popular Chamber Series to the Baker Valley. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and performance begins at 7:00 p.m., with refresh- ments provided by the GRSA following. Baker Valley Introductory ticket price is $20 per person for non-Season Pass holders. For more information, visit: GrandeRondeSym- phony.org or contact Patty Sandoz at 541-963-7595. The Bureau of Land Management is seeking nomina- tions for the 2017 Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Awards. These awards recognize those pro- grams created to foster sustainable development, which encourages environmental health, social responsibility, and economic security. “These awards represent some of the finest examples of responsible mineral resource development,” said Michael Nedd, BLM Assistant Director for Energy, Minerals and Realty Management. “We are proud to recognize those companies or individuals who are helping to realize the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to succeed as well.” Awards are presented through one of five categories. These include the Hardrock Mineral Environmental Award, the Hardrock Mineral Community Outreach and Economic Security Award, the Hardrock Mineral Small Operator Award, the Hardrock Mineral Director’s Award, and the “Fix a Shaft Today!” Award. The Hardrock Mineral Environmental Award recognizes achievements demonstrating continuous or repeated ef- forts to successfully meet or exceed federal, state, or local reclamation requirements with minimal oversight. The Hardrock Mineral Community Outreach and Eco- nomic Security Award recognizes the successful coordi- nation of projects with local and regional stakeholders, including those projects that contribute to the quality of life or demonstrate concern for the long-term health of the local community. The Hardrock Mineral Small Operator Award recog- nizes operators or organizations, with 15 employees or fewer, who have demonstrated continuous or repeated ef- forts to successfully meet or exceed federal, state, or local reclamation requirements with minimal oversight. The Hardrock Mineral Director’s Award is presented to a single operator, one whose dedication has resulted in the use of a new or innovative design or technique that allows or enhances successful operations in technically challeng- ing conditions. The “Fix a Shaft Today!” Award recognizes active participation in the FAST! Campaign, a partnership initia- tive aimed at eliminating unsafe abandoned mine land features including open mine shafts. Individuals, as well as organizations, are eligible for this award. Nominations should be submitted to the BLM state office where the individual or organization is located (Attention: Solid Minerals). A brochure offering detailed information on the nomination and selecting process, as well as state contact information, is available here. The deadline for submissions is April 28, 2017. Awards will be presented this Fall. The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primar- ily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s mis- sion is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of pres- ent and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.
