TRACK: Maher clocks personal best to win at 5a state track meet | SPORTS, B1 E O AST 143rd year, No. 159 REGONIAN Tuesday, May 28, 2019 $1.50 WINNER OF THE 2018 ONPA GENERAL EXCELLENCE AWARD Growers asked for help in ergot monitoring OSU Extension hopes citizen-science approach helps overcome limitations By MITCH LIES For the Capital Press Oregon state uni- versity Extension plant pathologist Jeremiah dung hopes to engage growers in a citizen-sci- ence approach to moni- tor for ergot in grass seed crops. dung told eastern Oregon grass seed grow- ers during the Hermiston agricultural Research and Extension Center’s Grass Seed Field Day that he hopes the approach will help researchers overcome logistical lim- itations that hinder their ability to expand spore trapping. Currently, the team of researchers involved in monitoring ergot spores are utilizing three traps, dung said: One in La Grande, one at the Cen- tral Oregon agricultural Research and Extension Center and one at the Hermiston center. The citizen-science approach is made possi- ble by the fact research- ers have discovered a spore trap that costs a fraction to build com- pared to the trap they are using. Growers can pur- chase materials to build the rotating arm trap for around $100, Dung said. Materials are easily accessible online, and, he said, the trap is simple to construct. Conversely, it costs $5,000 to purchase the spore trap researchers are employing, Dung said. Parts are proprietary and custom-made, so can be difficult to obtain, and getting the traps serviced can be difficult. dung said that grower involvement in scouting will help producers pin- point when spore counts are high enough to war- rant treatment. “This way, we can scout for pressure before infection occurs,” he said. dung added that grow- ers should be keeping a close watch on their crops at this point in the grow- ing season and keeping abreast of spore counts in the university traps. “When your crops are See Ergot, Page A7 Staff photo by Kathy Aney Tom Tangney, a member of the Pendleton Veterans of Foreign Wars Let ‘er Buck Post 922, bows his head during the benedic- tion at a Memorial Day observance at Olney Cemetery. For more photos, turn to page A8. Memorial Day ceremonies in Pendleton, Hermiston recognize fallen veterans By PHIL WRIGHT AND TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian or Tom Tangney of Pendleton, honoring the United States of America’s war dead matters. Tangney fought in the Korean war, along with his brother, who died there on Heart- break Ridge. Tangney, a long-serving member of the Pendleton’s Veteran of Foreign Wars Let’er Buck Post No. 922, drove home the need to recognize Memorial Day during the annual ceremony at Olney Cemetery. “We remember because sacrifice is meaningless F without remembrance,” Tangney told the 50 or so gathering at Pendleton’s burial ground. Most of the crowd was older and included several white-haired veterans. “America’s conscience demands that all citizens be aware of and recall on special occa- sions the deaths of their fellow countrymen during wartime.” While veterans hold Memorial Day sacred, he said, he questioned if the general public and, more importantly, future generations value the day. The freedoms Americans enjoy came at the cost of lives, he said, few of whom we knew. “This should be regarded as a civic obligation,” Tangney stated. “For this is a national debt that can only be repaid by individual Americans. By honor- ing the nation’s veterans, we preserve their memory, their service and sacrifice.” See Tribute, Page A8 Sister Monica goes home Nun was a fixture at St. Anthony Hospital By KATHY ANEY East Oregonian On the medical/surgi- cal floor at St. Anthony Hospital, a man was in the final stage of dying. Registered nurse Emily Smith remembers that day several years ago with clarity. “He didn’t have any family members,” smith recalled. “We were really sad, but it was just way too busy for us to sit with him.” So, they called Sister Marie Monica Borden — or sister Monica — who worked in pastoral services at the Catholic hospital. The Franciscan nun entered the room. As if the man was the luckiest guy on earth, she said, “Oh, you’re just about ready to go home, aren’t you?” “she sat there and held his hand through the whole process,” smith said. Last Wednesday, it was sister Monica’s time to go home after 84 years on Earth. Many at the hospital were taken by surprise. Except for recent eye surgery, the nun hadn’t skipped a See Nun, Page A7 Photo courtesy of Kim Fetrow Photography Sister Monica Borden was a fixture at St. Anthony Hospi- tal, where she provided spiritual guidance for patients and staff. CHI St. Anthony Hospital Family Clinic is recognized as a Patient -Centered Primary Care Home. What does that mean for you? • Better-coordinated care. • Healthcare providers who will help connect you • Listening to your concerns and answering with the care you need in a safe and timely way. questions. • Healthcare providers who play an active role in your health. • After-hours nurse consultation. 844.724.8632 3001 St. Anthony Way, Pendleton WWW.SAHPENDLETON.ORG Mon through Thurs, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat and Sun, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are preferred.