REGION Saturday, April 17, 2021 –—˜­‰  ”•         ™ ‡­    ‡ ‡­  Ž–€ €‹Žˆ— –†Ž‚‚ˆ ­† ‹€ƒˆ­ €› ‹‡Œ˜…‹Ž‚ „• €› ‹‡Œ˜…‹Ž‚ „• €› ‹‡Œ˜ „•      ­€€‚‚ ™           œˆ ­  ž € …‹Ž‚„‘ ‘…ƒ ” ˆ‰„‘ Š‹­ŒŠ‡ š›€›Ž­†ŒŽ›†Ž–€…€‹Žˆ—–­ˆ†€†Š€‹€…ˆ‹†€—  ‚‘… … ‘ƒ„  ƒ„‘† „  ‚ €‡„‘ ‘’“ƒ ” €‡„‘ Ž ‡ €Š„‘ ‘•ƒ ” €…†„‘† „  ­€‘ƒ„  ­€ ˆ‰„‘ ˆ‰    ƒ„‘† ‡  ƒ„ €…†„ ‡†„ ˆ‰„ A3 ’ “““““ –—˜­‰  ”    ‹  •š €„    €  East Oregonian €‡„ ­„ €Š„ ‹‡Œ …‹Ž‚ StoryWalk combines exercise, literacy in Umatilla Grant from University of Pittsburgh helps fund project By JADE MCDOWELL East Oregonian UMATILLA — Story time for Umatilla children now comes with a dose of Vitamin D. Families were out enjoy- ing the sunshine on Wednes- day, April 14, during the grand opening of Umatilla’s StoryWalk. The new instal- lation features metal stands spaced about 200 feet apart along the trail from Hash Park to Kiwanis Park in McNary. Each stand contains a large replica of a page from a children’s picture book, allowing children to read the story while going for a walk. Sierra Dugan took her three children to the grand opening, and her daughter Elina Dugan, who will turn 4 in a couple of weeks, studied each plaque as they walked. “She loves outdoors and reading, so this is perfect,” Sierra said. She said she liked that the Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian Amelia Schell-Murphy, 3, points to a sign along the StoryWalk in McNary as Amber Dixon reads the sign to her on the fi rst day of Umatilla’s StoryWalk on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. trail was wide and paved, making it easy for toddlers to walk on, or to push a stroller along. “I like that you kind of go at your own pace,” she said. A mber Dixon, who brought her 3-year-old grand- daughter along, watched as she ran up to each page eagerly, waiting for Dixon to read it to her. Dixon said she lives nearby, and will prob- ably visit the new feature often. The Umatilla Public Library plans to swap out the book on a monthly basis. This month’s book is “I Can Save the Earth” by Alison Inches. Bella Oloendorff , 10, said she had fun reading the book as she walked, and plans to come back every time there is a new one. “It taught you how to recy- cle and turn off the lights,” she said, describing the book. At the end of the trail, participants were given their choice of free books to choose from, a snack and an opportunity to make a bird feeder out of pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed. Since “I Can Save the Earth” was shorter than some books that will be featured, the last few plaques featured information about Citizen Science Month, celebrated in April. Citizen science refers to public participa- tion in gathering scientifi c data, such as precipitation monitoring for the National Weather Service. It encour- aged people to download the iNaturalist app, which helps people from all over the world upload photos and information about plant and animal species in their neigh- borhood. A Citizen Science grant from the University of Pitts- burgh helped fund the Story- Walk project, according to City Finance Director Melissa Ince. Children who participated in the grand opening received free books at the end of the trail, but starting with the next book featured, at the end of each story will be a Q code that people can scan with their smartphone to receive a free physical copy of the book featured that month. Ince said a few other communities in the area, including Stanfi eld, recently installed StoryWalks of their own, so libraries will be able to exchange books with each other in addition to adding their own. To participate in the StoryWalk, start with the fi rst plaque at the entrance of Hash Park, 440 Pendleton Ave. in Umatilla, and follow the trail west to Kiwanis Park. LOCAL BRIEFING County residents up for state board, commission SALEM — Gov. Kate Brown submitted a list of state board and commission appointments to the Oregon Senate for confi rmation and three Umatilla County resi- dents are up for consider- ation. Kristin Williams, an Athena librar ian, was appointed to a four-year term on the state library board. Jennifer Currin, a Pendleton attorney, was reappointed to a four-year term on the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, and John Scanlan, a Pendleton teacher, was appointed to the Public Employees Retire- ment Board. “State board and commis- sion members bring a diverse set of backgrounds and life experiences to address the wide range of issues currently facing state government,” Brown said in a press release. “Their contributions help lead to policies and strategies that better enable us to serve and represent all Oregonians, especially as we continue to mitigate ongoing crises. I appreciate the willingness of all these nominees to serve our great state and help make Oregon better for all those who call it home.” T h e S e n a t e Ru le s Committee is scheduled to consider the nominations the week of May 10. Helix School District has new superintendent HELIX — The Helix School District School Board hired a new super- intendent and principal on Wednesday, April 14, according to a press release. Brad Bixler, the Human Resources Director and Communications Special- ist for the school district in North Bend, Oregon, was approved for the position at an April 14 school board meet- ing, the Bixler press release said. Bixler’s contract with the district begins on July 1, but he said he hopes to “begin connecting with staff and the community prior to July 1.” Bi xler is a for mer employee of school districts throughout Eastern Oregon, working as a teacher, tech- nology specialist, assistant principal, principal and human resources director across Umatilla and Morrow County for 26 years, the press release said. “ We a re c on f ide nt Brad will be a long-term, community-involved, dedi- cated Superintendent/Prin- cipal,” said Todd Thorne, chair man of the Helix School Board. “His diverse experience in large and small schools and school districts across the coun- try provides unique value. His equity-based thinking, creative forward-think- ing approach and ability to listen and collaborate with all stakeholders will serve the district well as we navi- gate our path forward.” Bixler said he’s “look- ing forward to serving the students, staff and commu- nity for the 2021-22 school year.” — EO Media Group NEW 2021 RAV4 LE $ 239 36 $ 2,999 PER MO. MOS. AFTER $500 LEASE BONUS CASH APPLIED TO AMOUNT DUE AT SIGNING DUE AT SIGNING, PLUS TAXES AND FEES NEW 2021 VENZA LE $ 259 36 $ 2,999 PER MO. MOS. AFTER $750 LEASE BONUS CASH APPLIED TO AMOUNT DUE AT SIGNING DUE AT SIGNING, PLUS TAXES AND FEES NEW 2021 TACOMA $ 1,000 CUSTOMER CASH TOYOTA.COM See Your Local Toyota Dealer * Prototypes shown with options. Extra-cost color shown. Excludes TRD Pro models. Customer cash from Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. Must be applied to the transaction. No cash payment will be made to consumer. 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