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About The Record-courier. (Haines, Baker County, Oregon) 1932-2016 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 10, 2015)
5*1 ************ ec RL0T 0073A**C007 BAKER COUNTY LIBRARY 2400 RESORT ST BAKER CITY OR 97814-2721 ■ w ¡iotoWnl bandstand •avilion ribbon cutting by Gina Perkins www.therconline.com Volume 114, Number 37 • 10 Pages-75 cents ^¡^^Thursday^^^ Est. Haines 1901 ~ Haines, Baker County, Oregon Sells and Closes Story/photos by Gina Perkins Story /photos by Gina Perkins "It's been a long time coming," said Dave Hunsaker, Chairman of the Baker City Bandstand Commit tee during Sunday's dedication cer emony for the Powder River Pavilion. An idea became a spark for the project in which, according to Al Durgan, the first meeting was held on Sept. 11,2006. "I had remembered watching and listening to the bands in the old band shell and I got to thinking about how nice it would be to have another one. A small group of Us met and that started the wheels turning," Durgan stated. From informal minutes, he shared the names of the people in atten dance of that first gathering which included Durgan and his late wife, Patti, Ted and Jody Hausotter, Phyllis Badgley, Doug Smurth- waite, Marvin Sundean, Joy Berry hill, Debi Bainter, and Jim Gray. Marilyn Shollenberger was among those in attendance at the second meeting held in Oct. 2006. ¿ The group evolved over the years lo the present-day bandstand com mittee which includes: Dave Hun saker, chairman, Marvin Sundean, Lynette Perry, Joyce Hunsaker, Cindy Endicott and Joyce Berry hill. During Hunsaker's address, he thanked those who through their dedication and generosity had helped see the project to comple tion. "Thank you, Phyllis Badgley and Al Durgan, for keeping us on the path," Hunsaker said. He expressed sincere apprecia tion to Mark, Grant and Kyle John son of Sid Johnson and Company, the contractors for the project, and Mark's sister, Shannon for the fam ily's tireless effort, generosity, and dedication. Larry Abell was com mended for his design of the pavil ion and for serving as the architect. "Pattie and Cass Vanderwiele of Triple C donated all of the concrete for the pavilion. Dennis Dorrah, regularly donated his stipend as the former mayor of Baker City to the project. Natural Structures was phenomenal and many of the sub contractors donated part of their time and materials," said Hunsaker. Dianne Ellingson board member and spokesperson for the Leo Adler Foundation addressed the crowd saying the bandstand committee had been successful in bringing back to Baker a part of its history that had been lost. < "Their project began as a dream which became rooted," said Elling son who also commended the group for making Baker City a bet ter place for all of us with the com pletion of the pavilion. Ellingson also expressed admiration for the leadership of Dave and Joyce Hun- The Powder River Pavilion dedication was held Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015 in Geiser-Pollman Park. Al Durgan and Phyllis Badgley saker which included Joyce's ex ceptional grant writing skills. The Leo Adler Foundation made three separate gifts at various stages of the project. Lynette Perry has faithfully served as the liaison between the Soroptimists and the bandstand committee saying that, "forging partnerships is the best way to get a project completed." Perry has been one of the com mittee's stalwart members. During her speech, she recognized the ef fort and donation of thousands of dollars of advertising by the news paper for which she works, the Baker City Herald. She also recog nized the musicians who gener ously donated their time and talent for concerts during the past several summers. "Doug Smurthwaite and the Blue Yesterdays were one of the last to perform on the old bandshell and will be the first to play in the new pavilion,” Petty stated. Perry and Marvin Sundean helped initiate the brick fundraising drive which raised significant funding for the pavilion. She recognized Glenda Cole who "was the first to purchase a brick and helped us believe we really could do it." Baker City Mayor, Kim Mosier gratefully acknowledged the pavil ion had been gifted to the City, and read a proclamation which declared Sept. 6 as "Heart of the Park Day." "This is a place where people don't sit around and wonder why we don't have more," Mosier said, congratulating the people who make projects like this happen. "It's why I love to live here." Joyce Hunsaker echoed those comments by saying, "This is one of the most remarkable towns. I am proud to be a hometown girl." The dedication of the pavilion was extra special for Hunsaker who also was celebrating her birthday. Those wishing to reserve use of the Powder River Pavilion (at no charge), may call Lynne Ewing at the Baker City Hall. Dale and Vera Lethlean purchased the In & Out Drive-In on Tenth Street in Baker City on Jan. 1, 1957 from Harold and Cledith Godfrey. It sold on Aug. 25, according to Lethlean who said he was not at liberty to discuss the sale, nor disclose the purchaser. For 58 years, the Lethlean family operated the very popular drive-in. "We worked hard and business was booming," said Lethlean, now 88 years old. He said the iconic sign was made by Clifford Knee of Art Craft. In addition to adding the sign, the family built on the canopy and onto the adjacent house. "The Wampus Burgers and hamburgers were our top sellers," he shared. "And our milkshakes were really good." Lethlean says he is retired now...or mostly tired, he joked, but spends some time working the Virtue Mine which the family owns. He reminisced about how busy the drive-in could be and re counted a time when they had just finished Sun day dinner when a 60-passenger bus pulled up. He said, "We just got that bus served and a sec ond one pulled up." It was followed by a third, and then a fourth. "How many more?!" Lethlean said he asked the driver of that fourth bus. He shared the sale of the drive-in is bittersweet. "I'm glad to have it sold, but I really am going to miss it." Lethlean's first wife and partner in the business, Vera, passed away 13 years ago from cancer. He remembers the first time he set eyes on her as she walked through the door of the Muddy Creek Creek School. "I had just turned 17. When I looked up, I saw the most beautiful girl ever. I heard a voice say just as clearly as I'm talking to you, there is your wife.' The couple was married for 58 years. During her illness and following her passing, Lethlean said that he had two or three managers. His daughter-in-law, Gladys who is married to son Kim, was the last. When asked what the secret was to owning a successful business in Baker City for nearly 60 years he said, "You just do your best to help peo ple." Editor's Note: Information has been circulating through the community that Corporate In-N-Out purchased the sign and that it will be coming down soon. We have not confirmed that officially. The assessor's office stated the property had sold to an entity called "2990 Tenth Street, LLC" in Walnut Creek, Calif. (This, of course, is also the address of the business). The only names asso ciated with the account are two attorneys. The In & Out has been a Baker City institution for decades and will be missed. We thank the Leth lean family for their dedication and service to the community. À -asr - a ■ ■Iga rr—ml || A t « HW ___ 11 1 SB ra- [•PA >1 rulli -. i Extraordinary Woman Touched Many Lives Eloise Dielman was a magnificent teacher and true friend to her students. She passed away at age 75 at her home on Monday, Sept. 7,2015.1 was blessed to have her as an English and writing teacher in high school and as a friend throughout my adult life. Many times an encouraging word from her has made a difference to me at various junctures in my life and she has always been someone I have held in the highest regard. She wrote me the sweetest email a week or so ago. She was a fighter and made a positive, last ing impression on many young minds. Her legacy isn't just that she refined writing skills and fostered a love for literature. She instilled confidence and every one of her students knew for certain that at least one person truly understood and valued what they had to say. Rest in peace, sweet friend. Pavilion Ribbon Cutting ! photo by Gina Perkins ' at top of page (from left): Mayor Kim Mosier, Rosemary Abell, Larry Abell (LA Rose Architect for the project), Cindy | Endicott, Al Durgan, Phyllis Badgley, Dave Hunsaker, Joyce Hunsaker, Marvin Sundean, Shirley Dodson, Janet Pease, Grant Johnson, Dianne Ellingson, Jody Hausotter, Lynette Perry P ATD AV xSnimi ’ fl» Photo by Gina perkins J/' September 11 7 7 C7 Cz Snow fell over the weekend at Anthony Lakes which brought much needed mois- ture.
