COMMUNITY Saturday, October 2, 2021 ‘Eminent Oregonians’ shares important stories Three years after Applegate and his brother, Lindsay, each lost sons on the Oregon Trail’s SALEM — Pulitzer Prize winning jour- Columbia River route, he helped pioneer nalist Nicholas Kristof sings praises for an alternate southern route, later called the “Eminent Oregonians,” a soon-to-be released Applegate Trail. A representative of Oregon’s book about the lives and contributions of three pioneer government, Applegate voiced strong Oregonians who “helped opposition to slavery during create modern Oregon.” the 1857 Constitutional Characterized as a publi- Convention in Salem. cation “inspired by Lytton Forrester, president and Strachey’s ‘Eminent Victo- CEO of EO Media Group, rians,’ the authors describe which owns the East three Oregonians who were Oregonian, former editor/ often at odds with their publisher of The Daily moments in history.” In the Astorian and a former U.S. book’s promotional materi- Senate page, writes about als, Richard A. Baker, U.S. Richard Lewis Neuberger Senate historian emeritus, (1912-60). As an 8-year-old, said Oregon authors Jane Forrester remembers being Kirkpatrick, R. Gregory fascinated by Neuberger, Nokes and Steve Forrester who visited his family’s each present well-sourced home in Pendleton — his and insightful commentary. father and Neuberger met After a career as a mental while writing at The Orego- health and early childhood nian. Serving on the Oregon specialist for 17 years, Kirk- Steve Forrester/EO Media Group House of Representatives patrick, an award-winning “Eminent Oregonians” ex- and later the U.S. Senate, author has written more plores the lives and contribu- Neuberger co-authored The than three dozen fiction and tions of three Oregonians who Wilderness Act. nonfiction books — many helped create modern Oregon. Kerry Tymchuk, Oregon based on the lives of histor- Historical Society executive ical women, writes about director, said three talented Abigail Scott Duniway (1834-1915). The lead Oregon authors share remarkable stories about character in Kirkpatrick’s September 2020 three iconic Oregon figures. He encouraged historical fiction release “Something Worth history buffs to pick up a copy. Doing” centered around Duniway, an early For more information or to order the women’s rights advocate, newspaper editor book, visit www.eomediagroup.com/books/ and writer. eminent_oregonians. Nokes, a former journalist and foreign ——— correspondent who has authored several books Contact community writer Tammy about Oregon’s history, shares about the trail- Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastoregonian. blazing efforts of Jesse Applegate (1811-88). com or 541-564-4532. East Oregonian Anti-abortion event links faith community By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian HER MISTON — Described as a peaceful event that bears witness to beliefs in the sanctity of life, Deanna Leonard said the annual Life Chain is Sunday, Oct. 3, in Hermiston. Tiffany LeGore, who has organized the Pendleton Life Chain in recent years, said she was unable to coordinate the 2021 event. “It’s not a protest,” Leon- ard said. “We’re Christians praying and giving a personal witness of our beliefs.” To participate, meet at 2 p.m. in the parking lot behind Banner Bank, 101 E. Main St., Hermiston. After briefing participants, includ- ing passing out signs, Leon- ard said the group will spread out along North First Street (Highway 395) near Gladys and Hermiston avenues. K risti Smalley, who attends Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Hermis- ton, learned about the event from Leonard a handful of years ago. The regent of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court No. 1692, Smalley had been provid- ing financial support to anti-abortion causes but felt compelled to do something more. “I wanted to do something physical to hopefully help people realize how precious life is from conception to natural death,” she said. Sometimes, Smalley said, people aren’t aware of available options and resources when faced with an unplanned pregnancy. She shared about engaging in a conversation with an expect- ant mother while taking a walk in her neighborhood. The young woman, Smalley said, was feeling pressure from her boyfriend to have an abortion. “It was heart-wrenching to witness her anguish,” she said. Held the first Sunday in October, the nationwide event is in its 34th year. According to the national organization’s website, the effort encourages the faith community to link together to lead the nation in prayer for the unborn. Leonard, who has orga- nized the Hermiston event for around 17 years, said a silent and prayerful approach is a non-confrontational way to share her anti-abortion beliefs. Leonard and Smalley said they don’t endorse using graphic photos or harsh verbiage on signs. Smalley called it “a distraction,” which takes the focus off the positive message they’re trying to convey. “We’re hoping to plant a seed,” Leonard added. For more information, visit www.LifeChain.org or call Leonard at 541-571-3592. ——— Contact community writer Tammy Malgesini at tmalge- sini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4532. East Oregonian A7 COMMUNITY BRIEFS Drive Away Hunger accepts food donations CORVALLIS — Oregon FFA and Les Schwab Tires Center are are teaming up for its Drive Away Hunger initiative. With the need to help fight hunger greater than ever, the project partners urge people to drop off nonperishable food items at any Oregon Les Schwab Tire Center, Wilco or Grange Co-op locations. Donations will be accepted through Oct. 31. In a press release from Christa Carlon, Oregon FFA Foundation’s stew- ardship officer, the special partnership allows FFA members to live out their motto of “learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live and living to serve.” During the past eight years, Drive Away Hunger has raised nearly three million meals for those in need. For more infor ma- tion about the initiative, email Carlon at christa@ oregonffa.com, search w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / OregonFFA or visit www. lesschwab.com/drive-away- hunger. Multi-family yard sale helps support Altrusa projects HERMISTON — A multi-family yard sale will serve as a fundraiser for Altrusa International of Hermiston. Find treasures and help support projects in the community and beyond. The event is Saturday, Oct. Nancy Lauck/Contributed Photo Linda Monroe and Dawn Long of Altrusa International of Hermiston prepare and package soups to assist in feeding those in need through Desert Rose Ministries. The service club is hosting a fundraising yard sale Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Hermiston. 2, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2225 N.W. Geer Road, Herm- iston. Proceeds will fund the club’s service projects, including books for Little Free Libraries, college scholarships, the Open Table meal program and utility expenses for The Arc of Umatilla County and Domestic Violence Services. Altrusa clubs are active in service in an effort to create better communi- ties. The name “Altrusa” is derived from combining altruism and USA. For more information about the local group, contact hermiston- altrusa@gmail.com, visit districttwelve.altrusa.org or search Facebook. — EO Media Group