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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 17, 2016)
REGION Wednesday, August 17, 2016 HERMISTON East Oregonian Page 3A HEPPNER Fair volunteers give back to community By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian Photo contributed by Misty Baltazar Violin students at Harris Junior Academy. From left to right: Jermy Blanco, Eros Figueroa, Monica Figueroa, Sanyana Felipe, Gajer Leavitt, Ethan Es- trada, Marlene Felipe, and Susan Mizushima. Woman passes on the gift of music By ALEXA LOUGEE East Oregonian Three years ago Paula Oltman was retiring from her administrator position at the Rose Arbor Assisted Living Facilities and trying to decide what to do with the rest of her life. It was at this time her son, Jonas Oltman, was moving back to town with his family. Her grandson, Bjorn, enrolled in kindergarten at Hermiston Junior Academy. That’s when she got the idea to teach violin to the school’s students. Oltman, who has been playing the violin since she was 9 years old, approached principal Jordan Lindsay about starting a violin program at the school. He was very receptive and the violin program began. Oltman and her husband, Guy, purchased the instrument sets. “We thought there would be just a few who would be interested, but it turns out the whole school was interested,” Oltman said. The couple purchased 43 violin sets and Oltman now offers lessons every Monday during the school year and several times during the summer. The violin lessons will expand this school year to home school students in the area. Adults come to learn, too, “I just want to instill in the kiddos that playing the violin is a gift.” — Paula Oltman, violin instructor including a former kinder- garten teacher in her 80s. Lessons are free, but students are asked to pay $10 a month to rent the equipment. Hermiston Junior Academy is a private school teaching students from preschool through the eighth grade and is operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Her violin students perform at local churches and nursing homes. “I just want to instill in the kiddos that playing the violin is a gift,” Oltman said. “As we accept that gift we need to give back and be a blessing to others.” Those interested in joining the string program can call Paula at 541-567- 9625 or Hermiston Junior Academy at 541-567-8523. Lessons start back up for the school year on Sept. 29. ——— Contact Alexa Lougee at alougee@eastorego- nian.com The Morrow County Fair- grounds were buzzing with activity Tuesday as volunteers prepared for the 103rd annual event. Kay Proctor, a longtime volunteer, said she enjoys helping out each year, saying it’s a way to give back to the community. Also, the Heppner woman said the annual summer event is a great way to unite the communities. “It’s a big county and it’s smaller at fair time when everyone gets together,” she said. Jackie Alleman, a newcomer to Morrow County, has been working in the fairground’s Snack Shack. Moving from Hermiston a year ago, Alleman and her family immediately felt welcome in town. “In Heppner, I’ve learned everyone just takes their turn volunteering,” she said. “I’ve talked to people who have worked for years in the Snack Shack.” In addition to donations from area businesses, Alleman said local residents have stopped by to drop off tomatoes and other items grown in their gardens. “It’s really a community effort,” she said. Alleman also stressed the importance of family involve- ment with volunteering at the fair. Her husband and children have pitched in to help. In addition, her 11-year-old granddaughter, Lauren Putnam, was assisting with customers Tuesday morning in the Snack Shack. Lauren and her new friend Celine Walters, a 10-year-old who moved to Heppner a couple of months ago from Japan, were old pros behind the counter. Both girls highly recommend the biscuits and gravy. Also, Celine said her grandmother is partial to the hamburgers. The Snack Shack is open daily for breakfast at 6:30 a.m. Alleman said it will be open into the evening, with even later hours during the Friday and Saturday night BRIEFLY Candlelight vigil planned for 6WDQ¿HOGWHHQ STANFIELD — A candlelight vigil is planned for Raychel J. Campana, 17, who died Monday after a Friday car wreck near Walla Walla. The vigil will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at the 6WDQ¿HOG6HFRQGDU\ School track. Campana graduated IURP6WDQ¿HOG6HFRQGDU\ School in June and was set to take classes at Walla Walla Community College this fall in pursuit of her goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. Her boyfriend of a Campana year and a half, Nick Reisenauer, said he loved her creative and spontaneous nature. He and Campana had dreams of traveling together. “I believe God had a plan for her and it may be too soon but life is that way and life isn’t perfect,” he said. +HVDLGKH¶OODOZD\VUHPHPEHUWKH¿UVW time he met her in December 2015 at the 0DLQ6WUHHW0DUNHWLQ6WDQ¿HOG³6KHZDV smiling and happy and the most amazing, beautiful girl ever.” Campana worked as a receptionist at the 0DLQ6W\OLQ¶1RRNLQ6WDQ¿HOG$*R)XQG0H page has also been set up by friends to help fund a celebration of life. Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini Lauren Putnam, 11, and Celine Walters, 10, help in the Snack Shack Tuesday morning at the Morrow County Fairgrounds in Heppner. The fair runs through Saturday. Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini Phyllis Olson, a floral judge from Dufur, and Heppner resident Kay Proctor, floral department supervisor, work in the floral department Tuesday morning at the Morrow County Fairgrounds in Heppner. rodeo performances. Fair secretary Ann Jones is thrilled with the family involvement at the fairgrounds. In addition, she said the community is supportive of area youths, which helps in their overall growth and maturity. With a sense of pride and anticipation, Jones enjoys watching kids drop off their fair entries. Then, she gets to see them come back after they’ve been judged. “It’s something to see — the smiles on their faces when they see their ribbons,” Jones said. The Morrow County Fair runs Wednesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The fairgrounds are located at 74473 Highway 74, Heppner. Tickets are $4 per person or $2 for children ages 6-12. For more information, contact 541-676-9474, mcfair@co.morrow.or.us or visit www.morrowcoun- tyoregon.com. ——— Contact Community Editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastoregonian. com or 541-564-4539 National Thrift Shop Day August 17th IMESD reports lead levels below acceptable EPA limit The InterMountain Education Service District found that water sources tested at all of its buildings were “below the acceptable (Environmental Protection Agency) limit.” Samples from the IMESD building in Pendleton, Lifeways Day Treatment Center in Pendleton, Punkin Center in Hermiston, the Joseph Building in La Grande, the Baker City Learning Center in Baker City and Outdoor School sites were tested by Table Rock Analytical Lab in Pendleton and Magic Valley Labs in Twin Falls, Idaho. “The IMESD is pleased to report that water at our facilities used by students does not contain harmful lead levels. We will continue to monitor this and keep communicating to our parents and communities,” IMESD Superin- tendent Mark Mulvihill said in a statement. Results are available upon request at the ,0(6'3HQGOHWRQRI¿FHDW6:1\H Ave. @V\Y+VUH[PVUZ*OHUNL3P]LZ 3234 S.W. Nye Pendleton, OR Join us at 5 pm on August 18 th for our for our annual ROUND-UP BBQ! ROUND-UP QUEEN & COURT HAPPY CANYON PRINCESSES MAIN STREET COWBOYS SIDE SADDLERS GOOD FOOD GREAT ENTERTAINMENT WITH VENUES INSIDE AND OUT. ¸0^HZJVU]PUJLK0^HZ\UOPYLHISL I was on TANF, I needed to get a job, I wanted to be able to take care of my son and myself....by myself. The way I was treated by Amy and Lindsay at Goodwill made a huge impact on how I survived my daily job searches. They were absolutely great in how they approached me and my specific set of “issues.” They were both tough and encouraging and they took the time during our appointments to really talk to me. That is genuine caring. That is very appreciated! Sincerely, .....Someone who USED to receive publicassistance, and now supports her family herself! +PK`V\RUV^^L HSZV^LSJVTL • Books, music and movies • Cars, boats, motorcycles and RV’s • Computers and monitors Dishes and glassware • Furniture • Jewelry, art and collectibles Linens • Small appliances • Small musical instruments (including electronic pianos) • Land 0[HSSZ[HY[Z^P[O`V\Y KVUH[PVU 318,665 DONATIONS RECEIVED IN 2015 895,763 = NUMBER OF CUSTOMER TRANSACTIONS 466 NUMBER OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS BUILT 70 NUMBER OF TRAINING SITES 590 JOB PLACEMENTS 3,189 NUMBER OF PERSONS SERVED THROUGH MISSION SERVICES BUY • SELL • TRADE & CONSIGN We make custom beds made from wood 30654 Baggett Ln • Hermiston, OR 541.564.0298
