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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 30, 2018)
REGION Tuesday, January 30, 2018 HERMISTON Umatilla County Fair supporters ‘stirrup some fun’ at new venue By ANTONIO SIERRA East Oregonian Celebrating their first year at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Events Center, the Umatilla County Fair paid tribute to two volunteers who helped make the facility happen. As the fair board said goodbye to longtime board member Dan Dorran, the fair welcomed state Rep. Greg Smith and his wife Sherri as the next grand marshals at the fair’s annual appreciation dinner in Hermiston. Introducing Smith as the 2018 grand marshal, Dorran remembered meeting with the Heppner Republican in 2001, when both were still fresh to their respective governing bodies. It was a tough year for the Umatilla County Fair and county fairs across the state as the Legislature eliminated funding for fairground maintenance in the state budget. Dorran commended Smith for helping pass a bill that permanently allocated money from the state lottery fund to county fairs. Smith would spend his ensuing years in the state House of Represen- tatives lobbying on behalf of the fair, whether it was fighting further cuts to fair funding or helping secure a $6.4 million lottery grant to build the EOTEC, which was hosting the appre- ciation dinner Saturday. But Smith wasn’t the only one remembered for his contribution to the fair. One by one, fair board members praised Dorran for his work ethic, his indefatigable spirit and his commit- ment to the fair, even as they razzed him for overusing words like “incred- ible” and “awesome.” “Dan is the guy you go to when you want to get things done,” board Vice Chairman Mel Keely said. When it was his turn to speak, Dorran shared some of the things he took pride in, like the growth in the number of food vendors and the successful launch of Latino Night after a few false starts. One of his most vivid memories was watching Future Farmers of America students tear up as they walked their Photo by Antonio Sierra State Rep. Greg Smith and his wife Sherri were named grand marshals of the 2018 Umatilla County Fair Saturday in Hermiston. livestock one last time before being sold. The theme of the 2018 is “Let’s stirrup some fun,” and the night’s honorees tried to stick to that theme by mixing levity with sincerity. As he accepted his marshal badge, Smith said he recently visited Herm- iston High School, where he was mistaken twice by a staff member, first for former U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith and then for U.S. Rep. Greg Walden. “I told that story because we feel like a mistake has been made,” Smith said after the audience laughter died down. “Each of you are more deserving than we are.” Smith and Dorran weren’t the only people honored Saturday night. A new fair court was announced, with Bobbie Sharp, 17, of Echo, Olivia Warner, 17, of Pilot Rock, Laiklyn Fields, 15, of Hermiston, and Rebekah Miller, 15, of Hermiston taking the stage after the 2017 court was honored. Alice Dyer was honored as the female volunteer of the year for her work helping out in the small animal area while Steve Kelsoe, a “jack-of- all-trades” who handles everything from hauling hay for livestock to welding, was honored as the male volunteer of the year. A-1 Industrial Hose & Supply won the business partner of the year award. All the honorees deflected praise and thanked the other people who help make the fair happen. Board member Lucas Wagner was responsible for revealing the entertainment for next year, and he delivered with a few notable exceptions. Bouncing along as the act’s music played over EOTEC’s loudspeakers, Wagner said country music singer Sawyer Brown will open up the fair on Tuesday. Wednesday will see country band Brewer’s Grade of The Dalles open up for another country act, Ned LeDoux. Wagner said he wasn’t able to announce the acts for Thursday and Friday nights because the fair is still working to confirm them, although he did tease the audience about the identity of the Thursday act. “It should be a crowd pleaser if you’re into late ’80s, early ’90s hair metal bands,” he said. Saturday will be capped off with ’90s rock band Blues Traveler. ——— Contact Antonio Sierra at asierra@ eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0836. BRIEFLY Imbibe to benefit BMCC scholarships People have an opportunity to sample several of the region’s craft beverages, cheeses and chocolates while supporting student scholarships through the Blue Mountain Community College Foundation. Imbibe @ Blue is Saturday, Feb. 17 from 5-7 p.m. in the Student Union Building at BMCC, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton. The event is open to adults who are at least 21 years old. Advanced tickets are $25 and those purchased at the door are $30. Tickets include a special wine or pint glass and tasting tickets, as well as food by Simply Catering. The beverages available include craft distilled spirits, beers, wines and ciders. Additional tasting tickets, full glasses and bottles will be available for purchase at the event. The featured vendors include: Wineries: Castillo de Feliciana Vineyard & Winery (Milton-Freewater), Copper Belt Winery (Baker City), Don Carlo Vineyard (Milton-Freewater), Echo Ridge Cellars (Echo). Breweries: The Prodigal Son Brewery & Pub (Pendleton), Ordnance Brewing (Boardman), Barley Brown’s Beer (Baker City). Distilleries: Oregon Grain Growers Brand Distillery (Pendleton) and Glacier 45 Distillery (Baker City) Cheese/Chocolate: Lavender Mercantile (Pendleton), Umapine Creamery (Umapine), Cheese Louise (Kennewick). Pre-sale tickets are available at Pendleton Art + Frame, 36 S.W. Court Ave., or by calling the BMCC Foundation at 541-278- 5775. For additional details, contact Casey White- Zollman, vice president of public relations, at 541-278- 5839 or cwhitezollman@ bluecc.edu. Deadline looms for young citizen nominations HERMISTON — Altrusa International of Hermiston is seeking nominations for young people that are under the age of 21 who demonstrate commitment, personal responsibility and a positive attitude. The person selected will be recognized as the outstanding young citizen during the upcoming Distinguished Citizens Awards Banquet in Hermiston. The youth, along with two guests, are invited to join the Altrusans for the banquet, which is Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Hermiston Community Center. Nomination forms are available at the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce, 1055 S. Highway 395, Suite 111, local schools and churches. They are due by Monday, Feb. 5. For more information, contact Altrusa at hermistonaltrusa@gmail. com. For more about the awards banquet, visit www. hermistonchamber.com or call 541-567-6151. Water shut off at Highland Hills after leak HERMISTON — Rusted pipes sprung a leak outside Highland Hills Elementary School in Hermiston on Monday, according to the school district, causing the city to shut off water to the building for the afternoon. The leak was fixed at about 3 p.m. after about two hours of work. The school district brought in portable restrooms, bottled water and hand sanitizer for students and staff, according to a press release. Record high temps in Pendleton PENDLETON — Downslope winds made for record high temperatures in Pendleton on Monday, while nearby Hermiston stayed within the winter norms. The temperature reached 65 degrees in Pendleton, according to the National Weather Service, beating the record high for Jan. 29 of 63 degrees set in 1995. Walla Walla (66 degrees) and Redmond (70) also set highs for the date. Hermiston reached a high of 49 degrees Monday and Pasco only got as high as 48. Toastmasters club hosts open house MISSION — The public is invited to learn more about Toastmasters International during a local club’s open house. Toastmasters is an international program with a goal of improving communication, leadership and evaluation skills. Established in 1924, the organization’s membership exceeds 352,000 across 141 countries The Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters Club invites people to attend Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. in the Birch Room of the hotel at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, located off Interstate 84 at Exit 216. Those present will have an opportunity to ask questions and listen to a presentation by Jim Marquardt. Light refreshments will be served and door prizes will be handed out. A Toastmaster since 2007, Marquardt is the past District 9 director and is the current vice president of public relations for the Pendleton Toastmasters Club. In 2015, he earned the Distinguished Toastmasters award, the highest honor a member can receive. For more about the open house, contact Leigh Pinkham-Johnston at 541-215-2724 or leighpinkham-johnston@ ctuir.org. For more about the international organization, including links to other local groups, visit www.toastmasters.org. Stanfield serves 3 buck breakfast STANFIELD — An ala carte breakfast is available this weekend in Stanfield. The regular monthly meal is Saturday from 7-10 a.m. at the Stanfield Community Center, 225 W. Roosevelt St. Depending on what’s ordered, the cost is $3 and up. For more information, call 541-449-1332. AAUW member to share Wales trip PENDLETON — Information about a trip to Wales is featured during a presentation at the American Association of University Women’s February general membership meeting. Guests are invited as AAUW member Melissa Woodbury presents “A Short and Incomplete History of Wales” Saturday at 11 a.m. at The Prodigal Son Brewery & Pub, 230 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton. A no-host lunch and short business meeting will follow the program. The AAUW works to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. The Pendleton affiliate is the closest group in the region. During its winter schedule, the group meets the first Saturday of each month. For more information, contact Marlene Krout at mkaykrout@yahoo.com or 541-276-7596. East Oregonian Page 3A PENDLETON Ward 1 candidate Cook a political newcomer he wanted to take action and have his voice heard during As he prepared to chal- government decisions. He lenge a 40-year incumbent, added that he would like to see the city take John Cook didn’t more opportunities put much stock to honor veterans into his chances of and opposed the winning the Ward 2014 installation 1 seat on the Pend- of mid-block leton City Council. crossings on South Cook, a retired Main Street. firefighter, consid- Despite the ered John Brenne a upcoming munic- friend and thought ipal elections, the it would be “fun” John Cook council is obligated to run for a city council seat, even if Brenne’s to appoint someone to fill name recognition with the Brenne’s seat through the public meant he would be end of 2018. The council is expected to formally declare difficult to defeat. Cook even made arrange- a vacancy on the council ments with Brenne to help and solicit applications for him with the filing process appointment, although Cook at city hall on Jan. 22. But was unsure if he would seek Brenne died before he could it. Cook is one of three meet with Cook, who now finds himself as the only people who have filed for candidate for Ward 1 as of four seats on the council so far, and the only non-in- Monday afternoon. An Air Force veteran who cumbent. Ward 2 Councilor served during the Vietnam McKennon McDonald is War, Cook said he worked as seeking a second term while a firefighter with the Pend- at-large Councilor Jake leton Fire Department from Cambier is running for his 1973 to 1996, retiring with first full term after he was appointed in 2016. the rank of lieutenant. No one has filed for the After leaving the fire department, Cook turned his Ward 3 seat, which is being attention toward participating vacated by Councilor Neil in local civic organizations Brown after two terms. Prospective candidates like the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Benevolent and have until March 6 to file Protective Order of Elks and for city council races. The Veterans of Foreign Wars. election will be held May With the latter group, Cook 15, and if no candidate gets served on their national 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will meet committee for five years. Cook said he decided to again in a runoff election on run for city council because Nov. 6. East Oregonian PENDLETON Council to look at funding indoor arena project East Oregonian Officially a partnership between Blue Mountain Community College and the Pendleton Round-Up Association, an indoor rodeo arena project could get financial backing from the city of Pendleton. The Pendleton City Council will hold a special meeting Tuesday to discuss redirecting community development funds the project, currently dubbed “Farm II.” The indoor arena is envisioned as the next phase of the Facility for Agricultural Resource Management, or FARM, a two-story classroom and lab space surrounded by 100-acres of working farm for the college’s agriculture department. FARM II would build an indoor arena that is supposed to provide benefits to both the Round-Up and BMCC. The college would expand its animal science and veterinary classes and provide a new arena for the BMCC rodeo team while the Round-Up could use the space to host equine and livestock events during the winter. The arena is set to be built on the Round-Up campus, which has expanded in the past year to include the former Albertsons building and property across Southwest 18th Street. Between all the entities, an estimated $10 million needs to be raised in order to build the arena. The city’s community development fund collects payments from housing loans and makes them available for other programs, such as wood stove replacement and solar system installation programs for residents and businesses. The city budgeted $568,550 in the 2017-2018 fiscal year for the community development fund. Before the meeting starts at 7 p.m. in council cham- bers, the council will meet as the Pendleton Development Commission to discuss bestowing a demolition grant for a dilapidated home at 356 S.E. Third Street. Both meetings will be held at Pendleton City Hall, 500 S.W. Dorion Ave. LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS Diagnosed with a chronic condition such as high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, depression, or another long-term health condition? Make a step- by-step plan to improve your health...and your life. Six FREE classes, for patients, caregivers/support person or both. Call for upcoming dates & times Must pre-register, call 541-667-3509 LUNCH & LEARN Join us for these FREE, informative and popular lunch & learn series covering various topics focusing on healthy living. Bring your lunch and your questions! Call for specific times, dates & locations 12:00-1:00pm call 541-667-3509 BABYSITTING BASICS 101 For babysitters ages 10-15. 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