REGION
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
East Oregonian
A3
Workshop brings new recipes for a new year
By JESSICA POLLARD
East Oregonian
UMATILLA — Ital-
ian style paninis and gar-
lic kale dip might not be the
first items someone imag-
ines chowing down on in a
school cafeteria. But a culi-
nary workshop hosted by
Umatilla High School last
Friday is looking to change
that.
The workshop was hosted
by the the Oregon Depart-
ment of Education Child
Nutrition Programs and
Oregon Dairy and Nutrition
Council with involvement
from the Oregon State Uni-
versity Extension office’s
Food Hero campaign. It
had cafeteria workers from
across Eastern Oregon pre-
paring an extensive menu
of items with unique flavors
that still align with national
nutrition standards.
Jessica Visinsky, a child
nutrition specialist with the
ODE, who spearheaded the
workshop, knows this is no
easy feat.
“(Workers) are basically
putting on Thanksgiving
dinner every weekday by
11 a.m.,” she said.
This is the third year that
the workshop, which travels
across the state, has stopped
in Umatilla.
Those who participated
also honed their knife skills
as they worked in differ-
ent teams to prepare a large
lunch for people wishing
to sample the menu items,
which ranged from veggie
quesadillas to a sweet cin-
Staff photo by Ben Lonergan
Participants sample their creations following a school lunch culinary workshop on Friday put on by the Oregon Department
of Education Child Nutrition Program and the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council.
namon apple bake.
Visinsky said there are
some misconceptions when
it comes to school lunches.
“We may be serving
pizza in school, but it’s got
whole grain crust and low-
fat cheese,” she said.
Rikkilynn
Starliper,
child nutrition director for
the Umatilla School Dis-
trict, said many parents
don’t know that ready-to-
serve items like chocolate
milk and heat-and-serve
items like quesadillas come
from companies that spe-
cifically formulate them to
meet national guidelines.
Countywide, almost 70%
of students were eligible
for free and reduced lunch
during the 2018-19 school
year, according to the ODE.
That number increases to
80% of students through-
out the district in Umatilla.
Schools in the Umatilla dis-
trict are unique in the sense
that they take part in the
USDA Community Eligibil-
ity Provision, which allows
them to provide meals to
students at no cost.
With so many students
taking part in school lunch,
fitting in scratch cooking
like the kind taught during
the workshop can prove
difficult.
Starliper said that when
the district first hosted a
culinary workshop, they
walked away with a popu-
lar Bánh mì recipe, but that
they only offer it a couple
times a month because it’s
so labor intensive and in
such high demand.
“It’s difficult to transition
to scratch cooking when
you have staff that have
been doing the same thing
for years,” she added.
Mary Smith, who works
in the Clara Brownell Mid-
dle School cafeteria, noted
that not much from the
workshop gets to come to
life in the kitchen.
“We do some scratch
cooking, but not everything.
There’s just too many kids,”
she said.
Starliper said the dis-
trict is hoping to include
more scratch cooking in the
future. The district has other
culinary projects in store for
the upcoming school year as
well.
They just purchased four
“healthy celebration” carts,
which come loaded with the
equipment needed to make
smoothies during classroom
celebrations.
“It’s easier for teachers
and families to take that cart
to the classroom. Instead
of having cookies and cup-
cakes, the kids can bring
in fruit, yogurt and granola
and make a smoothie,” Star-
liper said.
She’s also looking for-
ward to the addition of a
FoodCorps member, who
will focus on educating stu-
dents about nutrition, to
McNary Heights Cafeteria
this year.
“She’s already decorat-
ing the cafeteria. My staff
does’t have a lot of time to
do that fun stuff,” Starliper
said.
Umatilla schools weren’t
the only ones prepping for
the start of the school year.
Kayla Flores and Minnie
Shoemaker traveled nearly
two hours from North Pow-
der to attend the workshop,
and were looking forward
to bringing the hummus
recipe they learned back to
their school to have teach-
ers sample it.
“It’s nice being where
everybody is doing the
same things,” Flores said.
“Everyone in our field is
here. Down there, it’s just
us — just me and Min-
nie. It’s nice to know
more recipes.”
Wrong turn
Staff photo by Ben Lonergan
The Bealls store located in the Hermiston Plaza shopping center has posted signs advertising
a store closing sale ahead of its slated rebranding. Stage, the Bealls parent company, con-
firmed the company will be converting the location into a Gordmans in spring 2020.
Hermiston Bealls to be
replaced with Gordmans
By JADE MCDOWELL
East Oregonian
Staff photo by Ben Lonergan
A driver attempts to navigate paving equipment at the site of the Eighth Street Bridge proj-
ect on Tuesday afternoon in Pendleton. Pendleton Public Works Director Bob Patterson
said that he expects the road to open to traffic early next week with the remainder of the
project being completed later this fall.
BRIEFLY
Hermiston Family Aquatic
Center closed due to flood
HERMISTON — The Hermiston Fam-
ily Aquatic Center is closed until further
notice due to a “major mechanical failure.”
Parks and recreation director Larry
Fetter said the most optimistic projection
would be reopening on Saturday.
Fetter said the aquatic center’s base-
ment mechanical room was found flooded
on Tuesday morning. Staff pumped out
the room and were still assessing the dam-
age Tuesday afternoon, but Fetter said it
was likely caused by a stuck float valve in
the lower surge tank.
Five electrical motors from the room,
which were not built to be submerged in
water, have been pulled out and are being
sent to a local shop to be dried out and
repaired.
Having to close the aquatic center
for several days is not ideal, Fetter said,
but it is the first time something of that
nature has happened in the 17 years the
pool has been open. He said he is look-
ing at a flood alarm system to prevent the
problem from happening again, and the
city will keep the public updated as soon
as they know for sure when the pool will
reopen.Recreation department seeks pro-
gram instructors
Rec department seeks
instructors
HERMISTON — Do you have special
skills or talents?
If so, Hermiston Parks & Recre-
ation might be interested in providing an
opportunity to teach a class or program
to share your expertise with others. Your
skills might provide an opportunity to
earn some extra income while teaching
others.
For more information, contact Bran-
don Artz at bartz@hermiston.or.us or
541-667-5018.
Power Gala plugs in for
30th year
HERMISTON — A ban-
ner advertising a “Store Clos-
ing” sale at Bealls had Herm-
iston residents worried they
were losing one of their few
clothing stores, but the change
is more of a re-brand than a
closure.
Stage, the Bealls parent
company, confirmed the com-
pany will be converting the
location into a Gordmans in
spring 2020.
Gordmans is an “off-price”
retailer, similar to Marshall’s
or Ross, which offers lower
than usual prices on brand
name clothing,
footwear,
Pendleton
home goods, fragrances and
more. Such stores often do
so by purchasing goods that
are available for lower prices
due to being overstocked, at
the end of their season or for
other reasons.
According to an email
from Stage, the company
has been converting Bealls
stores to Gordmans in sev-
eral locations “because con-
sumers are responding posi-
tively to Gordmans’ off-price
offerings.”
“Gordmans is an off-price
retailer, which means that it
has a wide array of merchan-
dise for the entire family at the
lowest possible prices com-
pared to department stores,”
the email stated.
According to the com-
pany, the store will be closed
for less than two weeks in the
spring before reopening as
Gordmans. All current Bealls
employees will be offered
jobs at Gordmans, and more
will be hired early next year.
OREGON REPUBLICAN P
EPUBLICAN
DINNER
GON PARTY
REPUBLICAN
PARTY DINN
Convention
Saturday, Pendleton
August 24 7pm
Pendleton
Convention
Center Convention Center
Cent
1601 Westgate, Pendleton, OR 97801
Featuring:
Featuring:
The Umatilla County Republican Party is hosting the Oregon Republican
Party Platform Convention in Pendleton on Aug. 23-24 ,
Featuring:
we hope Republicans in Umatilla County can join us for the ORP
Fundraising dinner with Steve Yates.
Pendleton
Convention
Follow us on
Facebook;
Umatilla
County Center
Republican
Party
CEO of DC International
Advisory,
former
Chairman
of
Pendleton
Convention
Center
Pendleton
Pendleton
Convention
Convention
Center
Center
Pendleton
Convention
Center
Convention
CEO of DC Pendleton
International
Advisory, Center
former Chairman of
the Idaho Republican Party, former Deputy Assistant to
PORTLAND — People are encour-
the the
Vice Idaho
President
for National Security
Republican
Party, Affairs,
former Deputy Assistant to
aged to save the date for the Oregon CEO of DC International Advisory, former
Chairman
of
Featuring:
Featuring:
Featuring:
Pendleton
Convention
Center
frequent
commentator
on Fox News,
Fox Business,
Featuring:
the
Vice
President
for
National
Security Affairs,
Energy Fund Power Gala.
HNL,
and
Taiwan’s Yates
FTV.
Featuring:
Stephen
the Idaho Republican
Party,
former
Deputy
Assistant
to
Featuring:
8/21
In its 30th year, the event celebrates
frequent
commentator
on
Fox
News,
Fox Business,
CEO of DC International Advisory, former Chairman of
CEO
of DC CEO
International
of
DC Republican
International
Advisory,
former
Chairman
former
Chairman
of to
of
the Cineplex
Vice President
for Times
National CEO
Security
the Affairs,
Idaho
Party, Advisory,
former
Deputy
Assistant
Show
of DC International
Advisory,
former
Chairman
of FTV.
three decades of helping Oregonians in
HNL,
and
Taiwan’s
the Idaho
the
Republican
Republican
Party,
former
Party,
Deputy
former
Assistant
Deputy
to of
to
the Vice
President
for
National
Security
Affairs, Assistant
Featuring:
CEO Fox
of
DC Idaho
International
Advisory,
former
Chairman
commentator
on Fox News,
Business,
the Idaho
Party,
former
Deputy
Assistant
CEO Vice
of Republican
DC the
International
Advisory,
former
Chairman
of to
Dinner
- Vice
$50/person
VIP—$250/person
need pay their energy bills. The Power frequent $5
Classic Movie
frequent
commentator
on Security
Fox
News,
Fox
Business,
the
President
for
National
for
National
Affairs,
Security
Affairs,
the
Idaho President
Republican
Party,
former
Deputy
Assistant
to
the
Republican
Party,
Deputy
Assistant
to
the Idaho
Vice commentator
President
for
National
Affairs,
HNL,
and former
Taiwan’s
FTV.
HNL, Today
and Taiwan’s FTV.
frequent
frequent
commentator
on
News,
on Security
Fox
Fox
News,
Business,
Fox includes
Business,
Showing
VIP
reception
begins
at
5:30
and
pre-dinner
Gala is Saturday, Oct. 12 with the doors
the
Vice
President
for Fox
National
Security
Affairs,
CEO
of
DC HNL,
International
former
Chairman
of
the Vice
President
for
National
Security
Affairs,
frequent
commentator
on Advisory,
Fox
News,
Fox
Business,
and HNL,
Taiwan’s
and
FTV.
Taiwan’s
FTV.
frequent
commentator
on
Fox
News,
Fox
Business,
reception,
pictures
with
Steve
Yates,
and dinner.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 at 10a
opening at 5:30 p.m. in the Grand Ball-
the Idaho commentator
Republican Party,
Deputy
Assistant
to
frequent
on former
Fox News,
Fox
Business,
HNL,
and
Taiwan’s
FTV.
HNL, - and
Taiwan’s
FTV. Affairs,
Dinner
$50/person
VIP—$250/person VIP—$2
Dinner
$50/person
the
Vice
President
for -
National
Security
and The Man Who Would Be King at 12p
room at The Sentinel Hotel, 614 S.W.
HNL, and
Taiwan’s
FTV.
frequent
commentator
on at
Fox
News, at Fox
Business,
VIP tickets
reception
begins
5:30
and includes pre-dinner
www.oregon.gop/steve-yates-2019
Get
your
Scary Stories to
11th Ave., Portland.
reception
begins
at dinner.
5:30 and includes p
Dinner Dinner
- $50/person
- VIP
$50/person
VIP—$250/person
HNL,
and
Taiwan’s
FTV. with Steve
reception,
pictures
Yates, VIP—$250/person
and
Dinner
- $50/person
VIP—$250/person
Tell in the Dark
(PG13)
The 1920s-themed event will fea-
VIP
reception
VIP
reception
begins
at
begins
5:30
and
at
5:30
includes
and
includes
pre-dinner
pre-dinner
Dinner
-
$50/person
VIP—$250/person
Dinner
-
$50/person
VIP—$250/person
4:40p 7:20p 10:00p
pictures
with Steve
Yates, and
Dinner
- $50/person
VIP—$250/person
Get
your reception,
tickets at
www.oregon.gop/steve-yates-2019
VIP reception begins at 5:30
and
includes
pre-dinner
ture Northwest cuisine, live and silent
reception,
reception,
pictures
pictures
with
Steve
with
Yates,
Steve
and
Yates,
dinner.
and dinner.
VIP
reception
begins
at
5:30
includes
pre-dinner
VIP
reception
begins
at
5:30
and
includes
pre-dinner
Dinner
- $50/person
VIP—$250/person
The Angry Birds Movie 2 (PG)
VIP reception
begins
at Honl
5:30 at
and
includes pre-dinner
Questions?
Contact
Tracy
tracy.honl@oregon.gop
auctions, live music and stories from
reception,
pictures
with
Steve
Yates,
and
2D 6:50p reception,
9:20p
pictures with Steve
Yates,
and
reception,
pictures
with
Yates, pre-dinner
and dinner.
dinner.
VIP
reception
begins dinner.
at
5:30 Steve
and includes
reception,
pictures
with
Steve
Yates,
and
dinner.
Get your
Get
tickets
your at
tickets
www.oregon.gop/steve-yates-2019
at
www.oregon.gop/steve-yates-2019
4:30p
Questions?
Contact
Tracy
Honl
at tracy.honl@oregon.gop
Get
your
tickets
at
www.oregon.gop/steve-
energy fund recipients. People are
reception,
pictures
with
Steve
Yates,
and dinner.
your
tickets at at www.oregon.gop/steve-yates-2019
www.oregon.gop/steve-yates-2019
47 Meters Down:
encouraged to dress up in their finest
Get Get
your
tickets
Get
your
tickets at www.oregon.gop/steve-yates-2019
Uncaged
Get your tickets at www.oregon.gop/steve-yates-2019
Get (PG13)
your tickets at www.oregon.gop/steve-yates-2019
Great Gatsby-era attire.
4:50p 7:10p
Questions?
Questions?
Contact Tracy
Contact
Honl Tracy
at tracy.honl@oregon.gop
Honl at tracy.honl@oregon.gop
Tickets are $150, which helps in sup-
Fast & Furious Presents:
Questions?
Contact
Tracy
Honl
at
tracy.honl@oregon.gop
Questions?
Contact
Tracy Honl at tracy.honl@o
Questions?
Contact
Tracy Honl
Honl
at
tracy.honl@oregon.gop
porting the Oregon Energy Fund’s mis-
Hobbs & Shaw (PG13)
Questions?
Contact Tracy
Tracy
at at
tracy.honl@oregon.gop
Questions?
Contact
Honl
tracy.honl@oregon.gop
3:40p*
6:40p
9:40p
sion of assisting Oregonians in finan-
Contact Tracy Honl at tracy.honl@oregon.gop
The Lion Questions?
King (PG)
cial crisis with their energy bills. For
4:20p 7:00p 9:50p
more information or to purchase tick-
The Kitchen (R)
ets, visit www.oregonenergyfund.org/
9:30p
powergala.
* Matinee Pricing
—East Oregonian staff
wildhorseresort.com • 541-966-1850
Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216