Excellence in Agriculture
Ted and Diane Bloomer, ranchers in Durkee, were
recognized as this year's Excellence in Agriculture
award winner. The couple has been ranching since
the early 1970s when they were married and say their
main focus for the ranch is rangeland integrated man­
agement enhancing the use for range and pasture for
livestock and recreation.
"We are in hopes to preserve the ranch in succes­
sion for our family," says Diane.
The Bloomers are deeply involved in the Durkee
community and in addition to being members of the
Baker Livestock Association and Oregon Cattlemen's
and CattleWomen's Association, are also involved in
the Burnt River Fire District, Lookout Fire Association,
Durkee Community Corporation, the Burnt River Irri­
gation District board, Lower Burnt River Weed Dis­
Photo by Gina Perkins
Diane and Ted Bloomer, Excellence in Agriculture
trict, and on the Advisory Committee for Ash Grove
Cement. They also participate in Beef for Schools.
The couple has two grown children, both of whom
are married and have children: Michelle Richwin and
Travis Bloomer. Diane's family roots go back to those
who traveled here on the Oregon Trail.
Community Project of the Year
The Bandstand Committee was chosen for this
award having been nominated by the Lions Club. The
Powder River Pavilion was completed and dedicated
in the Geiser-Pollman Park early last September after
nearly 10 years of hard work from tireless volunteers.
Al Durgan and Phyllis Badgley sparked the idea and
a diverse group of individuals worked and promoted
the cause, raising money "brick by brick" to complete
the project.
Dave Hunsaker, chairman of the Bandstand Com­
mittee stated when accepting the award with the
Photo by Gina Perkins
Community Project of the Year: Baker City Bandstand
Committee: front (from left): Phyllis Badgley, Lynette
Perry, Jodie Hausotter, Dave Hunsaker, chairman; Mid­
dle row (from left): Ted Hausotter, Larry Abell, Cindy
Endicott, Joyce Hunsaker, Mark Johnson; very back:
Grant Johnson
group, that this is how Baker County gets big projects
done-with collaboration and cooperation, by working
together.
Hunsaker said in an earlier statement about the proj­
ect, "The Powder River Pavilion is a true example of
an extraordinary community based project....due to
the Bandstand Committee's tenacious dedication and
the participation of a wide scope of citizens, busi­
nesses, organizations and charitable foundations,
Baker City now has a stunning, first class perform­
ance facility that few communities our size nationally
can claim."
On Sept. 6, 2015, the Baker City Bandstand Com­
mittee gifted the Powder River Pavilion to the City of
Baker City, for the use and enjoyment of all.
Up and Coming Leader
JJ
Vela
was
recognized for his
project coordina­
tion
of
Miners
Jubilee for the past
two years, all while
attending school
and working part
time. Prior to that
JJ and his father
organized the Min­
ers Jubilee Parade.
The following was
said during the
award presentation Up and Coming Young Leader,
about
Vela
by JJ Vela
emcee
Justin
Nedrow," He is a hard worker, takes initiative, has
amazing follow through, strives to do the very best he
can and hungers to learn more every day."
Badger Ladies Have
League Record of 3-2
Varsity Boys
Topple Tigers
by Janelle (Sam) Stephens
The Baker boys varsity basketball team had the time of their
lives defeating the Tigers in La Grande on Jan. 15, by a score of
51 -36. The game didn't come without cost, as a couple bulldogs
were injured in the battle, as well as a Tiger.
Baker took the lead for good in the second quarter. The three
senior Bulldogs were all in double figures: Logan Sand had 17,
Teancum Taylor and Bryson Smith each had 10.
Earlier in the week, the Bulldogs were defeated by Pendleton
in Baker 60-82.
The Powder Valley Girls Basketball team has ex­
perienced a lot of change and is a young team.
Their coach Allen Bingham has implemented a
new offense and while the girls are excited, it
takes time to learn a different way of doing things.
The girls started out a little slow this year and
there was some confusion from time to time in the
beginning. Once they got past a few non-league
games and in the groove, they have been doing
better and better.
The Badgers started the season in December
playing at the Union tournament where they suf­
fered a few losses. They lost to Cove 45-48 and
then to Union 44-49. But a little later in December,
they redeemed themselves against Cove at
home, winning the game 48-26.
A few days later the girls were on the road to Jor­
dan valley where once again, they suffered a loss
49-54. The following week, however, they played
their first league games against Pine Eagle in
Halfway. They really started getting in the groove
and won big with a score of 61 -24.
The next day they played Joseph at Powder Val-
-ley and had another league win 59-54, Badgers.
- Then, just before Christmas, the Badgers played
at the La Grande Optimist tournament at the EOU
.’College court. Again they lost to Union with a
: heart breaking score of 27-28 Union. Although the
; loss to Union put them in the consolation bracket,
The tournament was not over for them and they
ended up taking the win in the next two games
: beating Wallowa 62-17 and then winning against
: Cove, 46-20.
; They would next meet up with Adrian at home
for another non-league game, but even with ex­
citement of a home game, they fell to Adrian 32-
36.
Next, off to Prairie City where the girls were able
to make some good things happen and won the
game 44-23.
Now moving a little further into January, the
league season really begins to kick off. The girls
played two league games against Nixyaawii and
Griswold losing both games. It was a very disap­
pointing weekend after such a long drive. But, the
girls held their heads up and knew they could and
would do better.
A home league game against Echo (their annual
Pink Game),
was
nerve
racking and
exciting.They
started
out
slow
going
into halftime
losing; upon
returning from
the
locker
room,
how­
ever,
you
could feel a
difference in
the air. The
girls
were
ready to play
and
they
slowly
took
over the lead.
But as the
saying goes,
it's not over til
it's over, and the score started to go back and
forth until the final buzzer blew. The Badgers won
by a single point 40-39.
The next day was a trip to Baker and yet another
win 44-36.
All of this has left the girls with an all around
record of 8 and 7 and a league record of 3 and 2
Although the girls' season has seemed like a bit
Photo by Eden Taylor
of a roller coaster ride from time to time, I think we
Bryson Smith made 10 points in
will continue to see may great things happen on
the game in La Grande.
the court with this group of girls. They are still
pretty young and have a great desire and deter­
mination.
The starting five consist of Savanah Stephens a
junior, Hallie Feik a Junior, Kimberly Williams a
sophomore, Samantha Kerns a sophomore and
Megan Hufford another sophomore.
The Badgers will play Friday in Wallowa and Sat­
urday at home against Pine Eagle. Come and
cheer them on. Game time Saturday will be at
The JV girls topped the La
3:45 p.m. starting with half of a Girls JV game,
then straight to Varsity Girls with the Varsity Boys Grande Tigers on Friday,
Jan. 15 40-33. The boys JV
to follow.
basketball team, however,
Go Badgers!
lost to the Tigers that day by
a score of 74-39.
Photo by Eden Taylor
Teancum
Taylor
against Pendleton.
shooting
Junior Varsity
Lady Bulldogs
Defeat Tigers
Badgers Have New Coach
The Badger Boys high school basketball team
has a new start this year with a new coach.
Michael Lieuallen of La Grande is the head coach
with his assistant coach being Victor Benites.
There seems to be a lot of excitement from the
boys about the new things happening and they
seem to really click with the new coach. The boys
so far have an all around record of 11 and 3 with
a league record of 4 and 1.
The Boys beat Echo on Friday at the PV annual
Pink Game. Gus McGinn a junior had a really
good game along with Isaac Colton, another
junior. Some of the other boys on the starting
lineup are Seth Dixon a junior, Caleb Day a senior
and Tanner Eubanks a sophomore.
The Pink Game is a very important event at our
school due to the fact that all of the kids playing,
knew and had respect for a teacher at our school
who died following a long battle with breast
cancer.
The Badgers will be traveling to Wallowa on
Friday, Jan. 22 and hosting Pine Eagle on Jan.
23. Game time on Saturday will be at 3:45 p.m.
starting with a half girls JV game. Varsity girls
should be starting around 4 p.m. with the Varsity
boys to follow. Come watch some basketball and
say Go Badgers!
Darian Villalobos shooting
from outside.
Philip Ruud BC-HIS
• Hearing Aid Sales
• Hearing Aid Service
• Hearing Aid Repair
2830 10th Street
Baker City
at Michael Rushton’s
DPM Office
Free Hearing Evaluations
800-678-3155
Jan. 19 & 20
Pendleton Office