Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (March 22, 2019)
REGION Friday, March 22, 2019 East Oregonian Hermiston students to battle it out with books By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN East Oregonian For the first time since its foray into battle, Hermis- ton High School will send a team to the Oregon Battle of the Books state competition. Sisters Jessica and Nadine Ferguson and their friend Jerence Lyons make up the team “cAPITALIZE cORRECTLY.” They won a regional tournament earlier this month in Baker City, and will now face off against 14 other schools in Salem on April 6, answering questions about a dozen books they’ve spent the past few months getting to know inside-out. “You try to make sure you know every concept of every book separately,” said Nadine Ferguson, a sopho- more. “When you can sepa- rate them based on concept, you can answer a lot.” The students are expect- ing some tough questions, exploring even the most spe- cific of details in each book. To prepare for the regional tournament, they practiced writing their own questions, and encountered some sim- ilar ones in the tournament. “There were two books — ‘The Hate U Give’ and ‘Piecing Me Together,’” said Staff photo by Jayati Ramakrishnan Jessica Ferguson, Nadine Ferguson and Jerence Lyons make up the team “cAPITALIZE cORRECTLY,” which will compete in the state Battle of the Books tournament on April 6 in Salem. senior Jessica Ferguson. “At one point, both mention cooking fish, and the only difference is that one men- tions the specific type of fish.” That level of specificity is fair game for the questions. Lyons, a junior, said it’s also helpful to know every char- acter in each book. The books span multi- ple genres, and most are recent releases, but club advisor and HHS librarian Delia Fields said they usu- ally see at least one older book on the list as well. The students can receive the list of books for competition as early as the previous spring, so they have the summer to get started on reading. This school year, the team started preparing in early October. Though the students sometimes split up the read- ing, it helps for everyone to have at least some level of familiarity with all the books. “Everyone memorizes things differently, and what someone else catches in one book, I might not catch,” said Jessica Ferguson. Though all three said they were readers before joining the competition, the books have pushed them to look differently at works of literature, often chang- ing their minds about books they once disliked. Fergu- son is now partial toward “A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest J. Gaines. “At first it was my least favorite, because the main character made me angry,” she said. “But as we went on I liked it more, not because of the characters, but more because of the concepts.” Ferguson has done Battle of the Books since elemen- tary school. She said when she was younger, she strug- gled with reading, but hav- ing a reason to push herself and discuss books with oth- ers who were just as pas- sionate about them encour- aged her. Lyons said he liked that the competition exposes stu- dents to a variety of books. “I never know what kind of book I’m going to like until I read one,” he said. Fields said she is hope- ful that the students will fare well next month. “I imagine with all their hard work, the kids will probably make it past qual- ifying pool play and into the final bracket, which is so exciting,” she said. Chocolate Derby reins in support for Dream Catcher By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian It’s time to giddy-up and help raise money for Dream Catcher Therapeutics. The nonprofit organiza- tion provides people with physical, emotional and developmental challenges an opportunity to discover their abilities and stir up hope through equine activ- ities. Participants engage in riding, grooming and bond- ing with horses. The Chocolate Derby benefit event is Saturday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Ham- ley Slickfork Saloon, 8 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton. Tick- ets are $30 each or $225 for a table of eight. Those attending are invited to don their best Derby attire. In addition to enjoying an evening filled with delec- table chocolate, the event features silent and live auc- tions, a pair of raffles and live music by Whiskey for Breakfast. The bluegrass band’s foundation fea- tures Andy Cary and Emily Muller-Cary of Pendleton. Items up for bid include a gun from Elite Guns & Tactical, a 50 percent dis- count on a set of four tires from Pendleton Tire Factory and a Coach purse, as well as gift cards, merchandise and gift baskets from area businesses. A balloon pop raffle will feature an opportunity to grab a bite to eat in Pend- leton. For $5 a pop, peo- ple have a chance to win food-related gift cards with a “Dining in Pendleton” theme. Also, raffle tickets for an approximately 72-inch by 84-inch quilt finished and quilted by Colleen Black- wood will be available for purchase. They are $5 each or five for $20. The draw- ing will be held during the evening. Dream Catcher was ini- tially founded in 2001 by Gary and Rebecca Adams, said Morgan Matteson, the organization’s executive director. The Pendleton cou- ple’s son, who has cerebral palsy, experienced gains through equine therapy. Matteson first volun- teered with Dream Catcher in 2002 as a way to learn about horses and help peo- ple with special needs. That initial involvement set Mat- teson on a path to acquire additional knowledge about the benefits of equine therapy. “I fell in love with ther- apeutic riding, and decided from there that is what my passion was and what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing,” she said. After earning a bache- lor’s degree in therapeutic horseback riding at Rocky Mountain College in Bill- ings, Montana, Matteson returned to Oregon. She worked a handful of years at an equine center in Lincoln County before heading back to Pendleton in 2016. Rebecca Adams roped in Matteson’s passion, expe- rience and education when asking her to take the reins at Dream Catcher. While the position is unpaid, Matteson continues to wrangle in sup- port to continue the organi- zation’s mission. Dream Catcher works with individuals of all ages. Clinical studies indicate positive results from equine assisted activities and ther- apy, including people with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, autism, Down syn- drome, post-traumatic stress disorder, stroke and trau- matic brain injury. Matteson said participants struggling with loss and grief also have benefited from equine therapy. Volunteers are welcome at Dream Catcher. A train- ing session will be held Sunday, April 14 at 3 p.m. In addition, monetary and in-kind donations are wel- come. A current wish list includes a horse trailer, trac- tor, truck, sand, salt blocks, grain, horse supplements or gift cards for D&B Supply. Tickets for the Chocolate Derby can be purchased by contacting Matteson at 541- 377-1479, dreamcatcherther- apeutics@gmail.com, via www.dreamcatchertrc.org or Pendleton Art + Frame, 36 S.W. Court Ave. ——— Contact Community Edi- tor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastoregonian. com or 541-564-4539 Fake card reader found at truck stop near Hermiston East Oregonian The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office alerted recent customers of the the Space Age Travel Center near Hermiston to check their accounts for suspi- cious activity after the dis- covery of a fake credit/ bank card skimmer. Under- sheriff Jim Littlefield said so far no victims have come forward. Store personnel on Wednesday found the phony card skimmer inside the store, the sheriff’s office reported. The staff do not know how long the fake device was there or if it affected any customers. The device consisted of a clear screen, scan- ner and a duplicate keypad attached to a card reader next to a register inside the store. “It looks authentic,” according to the sheriff’s office. “On the inside of the device are electronic components, including a battery and a device that reads the magnetic strip on a credit/debit.” And the keypad could capture pin numbers. Littlefield said there were no other fake card readers at the Space Age, including on the gas pumps, and no others businesses in the county has reported the devices. Thieves in the Tri-Cities used skimmers in February to rip off at least $100,000 from 215 accounts, accord- ing to the Tri-City Herald. The sheriff’s office warned these theft devices are becoming more sophis- ticated. Customers need to examine devices for signs of tampering or anything that looks out of place before using it, such as a loose card reader device or keypad, cracks, dents or other damage, different colors on the machine, and tape or glue. The sheriff’s office also advised the use of a credit card with a chip because those are less likely to be skimmed. For further information on how to spot and avoid card skimmers, the sher- iff’s office referred to this article from PC Magazine: http://bit.ly/2JvLBf6 A3 Irrigon Medical Clinic held an open house for its expansion Thursday. Staff photo by Jade McDowell Irrigon Medical Clinic expands building, services By JADE MCDOWELL East Oregonian Irrigon Medical Clinic will be able to see more patients than ever after boosting its square footage and number of staff. Clinic manager Kris Jones said at an open house Thursday that the expan- sion of their 220 N. Main St. building nearly tripled the clinic’s size. “We’re so excited,” she said. Jones said in her time at the clinic she has seen it jump from five to 13 employees, including her- self. For years the clinic had one doctor on site with some visits from other pro- viders from Heppner. Now the clinic is up to three pro- viders and is advertising for a fourth. They also plan to hire a therapist and start offering behavioral health services. “We can’t wait to get to four providers, because we’re already booked out even with three,” Jones said. Already here or cur- rently in the works are a number of other new ser- vices, including mam- mograms from a mobile clinic, ultrasounds, MRIs and more. Staff also plan to add community education events around topics, such as diabetes and nutrition. “We’re just adding a whole lot of things that we didn’t do before because we didn’t have the space,” Jones said. With the new addition, the clinic now includes eight exam rooms, some of which are extra-large for times when multiple family members want to accompany a patient. The building also includes five restrooms, offices, storage, a conference room, a lab, X-ray room and expanded waiting room. Irrigon Medical Clinic is part of Morrow County Health District. The spe- cial taxing district also includes Pioneer Memo- rial Hospital and Pioneer Memorial Clinic in Hep- pner, Morrow County Ambulance and Pioneer Home Health & Hospice. The clinic is currently taking new patients. For more information call 541-922-5880. Attorney seeks to drop murder defendant of a weapon for the shooting death of Renee Luiz-Anto- nio where they worked on a The defendant from dairy in Umapine. November’s homicide in Circuit Judge Christo- Umapine could lose his pher Brauer will take up the matter the morning of attorney. March 27 during Kara Davis a hearing to check filed a motion on the status of the We d ne sd ay case. morning in Uma- And the district tilla County Cir- attorney’s office pro- cuit Court to vided the court with request a court restitution amounts order allow- Vasquez- ing her and stemming from the crime. Vargas her firm, Inter- The state seeks mountain Pub- lic Defender, Inc., Pend- $10,120 for Esther Her- leton, to withdraw from nandez for the cost of her representing Antonio son’s funeral and more than $17,400 for Ana Robledo, Vasquez-Vargas. Davis in the court the fiancee of Luiz-Antonio. document asserted a Fri - Wed, Mar. 22, 2019 - Mar. 27, 2019 Destiny “total breakdown in Theatres Subject to change. Check times daily. communication” has occurred between her Hermiston Stadium 8 Hwy 395 & Theatre Ln - 567-1556 and Vasquez-Vargas. MoviesInHermiston.com “It would appear that US (R-17) there is a lack of com- W ONDER P ARK (PG) munication and also a lack of trust between cli- C APTAIN M ARVEL (PG-13) ent and attorney,” Davis A M ADEA F AMILY F UNERAL (PG-13) explained. “As a result, I H OW T O T RAIN Y OUR D RAGON 3 (PG) can no longer effectively represent my client.” F IGHTING W ITH M Y F AMILY (PG-13) Davis has served as L EGO M OVIE 2 (PG) Vasquez-Vargas’s pub- B OOK YOUR PARTY AT THE C INEMA . lic defender since early December. The 53-year- 50 old Walla Walla resident Tuesdays** faces charges of murder **ALL DAY TUESDAY, MOST MOVIES. and felon in possession Check ONLINE for more information! By PHIL WRIGHT East Oregonian $5. March 4-5-6, 2016 | Spokane Fair & Expo Center | Spokane, WA March 22-23-24, 2019 We’ve moved! 20th Annual Spring Stan Henderer, Agent 1704 SW Frazer Ave Pendleton, OR 97801 Bus: 541-278-0880 stan@henderer.com OVER 150 NORTHWEST ARTISANS FINE ART | HAND CRAFT | SPECIALTY FOODS TRAC Center Pasco, WA FREE PARKING Admission $ 7 CusterShows.com We a a new office, We have a new office, where where We have new office, where We a have have new office, where (of course) you’ll get (of course) you’ll get (of course) you’ll get the the (of course) you’ll get the the same great service. same great service. We’re We’re same great service. We’re same great service. We’re excited about serving excited about serving you excited about serving you in excited about serving in you you in in our new space. Stop by our new space. Stop by and our new our space. Stop by Stop and by and new space. and see us us soon! see see us soon! see us soon! soon! Here to help life go right. ® Friday 10 AM —8 PM Saturday 10 AM —6 PM Sunday 10 AM —4 PM Kids 12 and under free! 509.924.0588 1708168.1 1708168.1 1708168.1 1708168.1 State State Farm Farm State Farm State Farm Bloomington, Bloomington, Bloomington, IL IL IL Bloomington, IL
