Page 2C Saturday, December 8, 2018 YOUR EO NEWS Morrow County 4-H thanks supporters East Oregonian Several area businesses were honored during the Morrow County 4-H Achievement Night. The event, held Nov. 17 in Ione, recognizes the work and efforts of 4-H members from around the county, said Erin Heideman, a 4-H educator. Also, it gives the organization a chance to express appreci- ation to businesses and indi- viduals that assist with the success of the program. Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Roger’s Toyota of Herm- iston, Ross Machinery and Columbia Basin Electric Cooperative. For more information, contact Heideman at erin. heideman@oregonstate.edu or 541-616-9642. Photo contributed by Erin Heideman Misty Davidson accepts a distinguished service award on behalf of Roger’s Toyota of Hermiston from Jean- nie Collins, Morrow County 4-H ambassador director, during the Morrow County 4-H Achievement Night, held Nov. 17 in Ione. Republican group elects new officers Suni Danforth of Mil- ton-Freewater was recently elected as the new chair of the Umatilla County Republican Central Committee. Others voted into two- year terms include vice chair Tony Justus of Pendleton, third delegate Eli Stephens of Pendle- ton, treasurer Don Mar- latt of Umapine, and secre- tary Marlene McClintock of Milton-Freewater. Also chairs of precincts include west county, Paula Otzen- berger of Hermiston; central county, Wayne York of Pendleton; and east county, Ann Jolly of Milton-Freewater. The group looks for- ward to working together to further build the commit- tee. Area Republicans are invited to attend meetings to learn more about getting involved. They meet the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the commu- nity room at Pendleton City Hall, 500 S.W. Dorion Ave. For more information, con- tact Danforth at suni.dan- forth@gmail.com. Contributed photo Hermiston residents Destiny George and her significant other, Matt Johnson, won the Kiwanis raffle tree at the Hermiston Festival of Trees. They paid it for- ward by donating the bags of toys to be distributed through the Hermiston Po- lice Christmas Express. Hermiston woman pays it forward While attending the Dec. 1 Festival of Trees at the Hermiston Community Center, Destiny George bought a ticket for the Hermiston Kiwanis raffle tree. As luck would have it, the Hermiston woman received a phone call Sun- day afternoon letting her know her ticket had been drawn. After discussion with her significant other, Matt Johnson, the cou- ple decided to pay it for- ward. Needy families in the Hermiston area will benefit from her generosity as all the toys that were scattered under the tree are being donated to the Hermiston Police Christmas Express. Money raised from the raffle tree ticket sales is being used to upgrade “Kiwanis Falls,” a highway art feature near Umatilla, said John Spomer of the Hermiston Kiwanis. Photo contributed by Michele Madril The Weston-McEwen Beginning and Advanced Ag Sales Teams and Weston-McEw- en FFA volunteers. Weston-McEwen Ag Sales team moves on Contributed photo Destiny George and her significant other, Matt John- son, pictured with children Veda and Zade, received sacks full of toys from the Kiwanis raffle tree at the Hermiston Festival of Trees. They paid it forward by donating the gifts to the Hermiston Police Christmas Express. Library expansion project turns pages The Helix Advance- ment Partnership Net- work (HAPN) is mak- ing steady progress on its Helix Library and Chil- dren’s Room Expansion Project. The Wildhorse Foun- dation recently awarded the group $20,000 and Northwest Farm Credit Services showed their sup- port earlier this month with a $1,000 award. Donations from local community members totals $6,000 so far, said Cindy Wood, who serves on the HAPN board of directors. The Library and Chil- dren’s Room expansion, she said, will increase the usability of the Helix Library. More space will accommodate further youth, family and adult programming. The Helix Library is housed in the Old Helix School, a building of his- torical significance to the area, Wood said. The project addresses much- needed repairs and will improve the layout of the library and children’s room space. The walls and cel- ling will be replaced, cab- inet storage and a sink will be installed, and technol- ogy will be upgraded — including a media system with speakers, projector and screen. Construction also will preserve historic features of the building, including an interior glass wall that is currently cov- ered from past renovation. A volunteer-run non- profit, HAPN formed in 2004 to improve the qual- ity of life and promote the welfare of Helix resi- dents. HAPN and the Helix community are anticipat- ing beginning work on the project in mid-2019. Also, HAPN’s future updates to the Old Helix School will include revitalizing the Helix Historical Museum and creating a commu- nity meeting room to host groups and classes. For more informa- tion, contact Wood at cin- dyl_wood2@msn.com or 541-969-7182. PSD nutrition director sifts through awards The Pendleton School District recently congrat- ulated Suzanne Howard, director of nutrition ser- vices, for receiving awards from Sodexo, the district’s food service contractor. Howard, who runs the district’s meal program at all Pendleton schools, was recognized for: •Zero Accidents Safety Award •Year over Year Meal Growth of 108 percent •Double 100 percent, Food and Safety Audit Michelle Jones, the d i s t r i c t ’s director of business ser- vices, said Howard Howard is a dedicated and positive leader with a personal com- mitment to the program’s success. The school district, Jones said, is very fortunate to have her on their team. Superintendent Chris Fritsch also recognized Howard’s commitment and work. “Suzanne has turned our school meals program into something vibrant,” he said. “Students enjoy the selec- tions and we all appreciate the customer service the she and her staff provide.” The awards were announced by the Sodexo Regional Leadership team at the Oregon School Boards Association con- ference in Portland. The Weston-McEwen Advanced Ag Sales team placed first in the Agricul- tural Sales competition for the Blue Mountain FFA District. The event was hosted by the Weston-McEwen High School FFA and included chapters from Hermiston, Pendleton, Pilot Rock, Echo, Stanfield, McLoughlin and Heppner. The Weston-McE- wen winning team of Ellie Scheibner, Cloe Davis, Tessa Irvine and Jazlynne Whitehorn will be moving on to compete at the state level in Redmond. Agricultural Sales is an event that teaches stu- dents soft skills like shaking hands, handling customer complaints and making small talk with people they just met. “This is a very valu- able set of skills that will help students with employ- Photo contributed by Michele Madril Ellie Scheibner, Cloe Davis, Tessa Irvine and Jazlynne Whitehorn of the Weston-McEwen Advanced Ag Sales Team took first place at the Blue Mountain FFA District and will advance to compete at the state level in Redmond. ment and college readiness in the future,” said Ashley Florence, FFA advisor at Weston-McEwen. Florence expressed appreciation to commu- nity members who assisted with the event. More than 20 judges took time away from their jobs, families and busi- nesses to help FFA students, she said. P et of the Week He’s got swagger and has really started coming out of his shell! I’m great with other cats and prefer no dogs. I love to be pet and play with toys!! Come see me today! 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