Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 2022)
COMMUNITY Saturday, February 12, 2022 That old time religion Hermiston resident leads musical services at Echo church with their talent. “It’s a very unorganized and nondenominational,” he said. “We have some Adven- tists. We have all the denom- inations, represented at one time or another.” By ERICK PETERSON East Oregonian The importance of hymns ECHO — Not every churchgoer appreciates the tide of change, according to one Hermiston resident. Doug Fehrenbacher said there are many believers, like himself, who prefer hymns. They have been sidelined, in his expressed estimation. He is trying to bring them back to popularity with musical services at Echo Community Church on the first Sunday of every month at 5:30 p.m. “I think a lot of older people, people who have been Christians for a long time, feel left out,” he said. “The last thing an 80-year-old woman wants is to learn a new song. They like the ones they know.” He said people are allowed to sing the hymns they choose at his services from provided hymnals. Attendees are accompanied by Louise Sund- vall, a fellow Hermiston resi- dent. “She is just absolutely outstanding,” Fehrenbacher said. “Not only does she know all the songs, but she can run He called his services important because music is vital to the Christian faith. “I feel in so many church services they use the music as a means of bringing people from their problems and off the streets to where they can focus on the spoken word,” he said. In his services, however, Fehrenbacher puts total atten- tion on the music, he said. His services do not even have a sermon. After the hymns and the special, there is only a fellowship get-together, which is at the end of the service. He said people have a good time with this and travel from Richland, Washington, and Walla Walla to attend. These hymns have served him, as well as his congre- gation, Fehrenbacher said. He added that hymns such as “It is Well with My Soul” have helped him during dark times. He said he will continue singing hymns and giving others opportuni- ties to sing them for as long as he can. Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian Doug Fehrenbacher flips through a hymnal Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in the living room of his Hermiston home. that keyboard so beautifully.” Sundvall said she has been playing piano for around 80 years, though she has not played hymns exclusively. She started with classical music, then played for churches. “I add my style to it,” she said of church music. She described her style as “South- ern gospel” with “life and pep.” Sundvall plays piano, but it is Fehrenbacher who is the worship leader. He sings and directs the service. He said he used to hold his services at a church in Herm- iston; however, his services became a problem. “As our numbers grew and grew, it seems like we were interfering with the other ministries,” he said. He expressed his feel- ing the services were unap- preciated, so he took them elsewhere. The Echo church invited him, he said, and has “bent over backwards” helping put this together. “They’ve been just wonder- ful,” he said. “I can’t say enough about them.” In one of his Echo Commu- nity services, attendees sing six songs. Then, they have what Fehrenbacher calls “a special.” One or two people will stand up in front of the congregation and sing by themselves. He said the special gives a person an opportunity to shine, and sometimes the singer will amaze others Caledonian shares 20th century love story By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian ATHENA — While the Scottish Gaelic expression ceud mìle fàilte — a hundred thousand welcomes — is a friendly greeting, it was more than a century ago when a special connection was made at the Umatilla County Cale- donian Society Picnic and Games. Now k nown as the Athena Caledonian Games, Sue Friese said the event’s committee calls the story of Roy and Mysie Penland “the Caledonian romance of the 20th century.” Friese, who is the Cale- donian president, said much research has been conducted on the late Helix couple. Infor mation about the Penlands, she said was gath- ered from such sources as the East Oregonian, Athena Press, The Pendleton Record, the Fossil Journal as well as Pioneer Trails, a quarterly journal published by the Umatilla County Historical Society. Highlights were printed in the 2021 Athena Caledo- nian Games Pocket Guide, which was sponsored by the Umatilla County Cultural Coalition. “It is a sweet story,” Friese said. According to Caledonian history, George J. Cameron, an attorney, judge and Port- land city councilman, was often called upon to find “Portland talent” to perform at Athena’s Scottish heritage gathering. A proud Scotsman, Kathy Aney/East Oregonian, File Annie Pankratz performs the basic steps to the Sword Dance on July 13, 2019, during Athena Caledonian Games. The tra- ditional Scottish dance was a specialty of Mysie (Sharp) Pen- land, who danced at the first Umatilla County Caledonian Society Picnic and Games in 1899 at Athena. himself, among the featured Highland dancers in 1899, 1900 and 1903 was a young lass by the name of Mary Jane “Mysie” Sharp (1884-1961). And just up the road 10 miles at Helix, a young lad, LeRoy “Roy” Penland (1883- 1949), lived on his family’s wheat farm. Referencing an Oct. 30, 1903, article in the Fossil Journal, Mary Elizabeth, the Penland’s daughter wrote about her mother’s danc- ing skills in Pioneer Trails, Volume 7 No. 3. “Mysie Sharp was up to her usual standard of excel- lence, which means the very acme of perfection. As usual, Ethan Thomas Bahr October 25, 1993 – February 4, 2022 Ethan Thomas Bahr passed away unexpectedly at home from asthmatic complications at the age of 28, on Feb. 4, 2022. Ethan was born on Oct. 25, 1993, to Dan and Vicki Bahr. Ethan is survived by his parents, wife, Rachel, and beautiful 2-year- old son, Daniel Oliver Bahr. The proudest moment in his life was the gift of his son, Daniel. You could feel the love with ev- ery moment they spent together. Ethan is also survived by brothers, Christopher, Na- than and Matthew, sister-in-law, Cassidy, and nephew, Bryson, grandparents, Daryll and Dorothy Bahr, moth- er-in-law, Teresa Luster, and brother-in-law, Caleb, plus numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. Ethan, an amazing gift from God, taken too soon but will never be forgotten. Ethan’s celebration of life will be at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, at Pendleton First Assembly of God Church, 1911 SE Court St., Pendleton. In lieu of flowers if you wish to make a donation to his son’s college fund, this can be made out to c/o Daniel J. Bahr or to the American Asthma/Lung Asso- ciation. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of ar- rangements. Sign the online guestbook at www.burns- mortuary.com. she made a great hit with every performance, flittered about with toes scarce touch- ing the floor.” The Caledonian commit- tee, Friese said, learned that the young performer’s specialties were the Sword Dance and the Highland Fling. However, it seems Roy literally swept his bride off her feet — they were married Dec.12, 1906, in Portland — as Mysie never danced publicly again after they wed. The couple lived on the family ranch in Helix. While Mysie no longer danced, they were involved in Cale- donian. Roy Penland’s name, Friese said, was entered in the membership rolls of the Umatilla County Caledonian Society on June 12, 1909. Both are buried in the family plot at Olney Ceme- tery, Pendleton — along with “baby” Penland and Willard “Billy” Penland, who died as a teenager in 1931. After a one-year hiatus because of the global pandemic, the an nual event returned in 2021 for a condensed version of the usual multiple-day festival. The committee is in the plan- ning stages for 2022. “It won’t be long until Caledonian time,” Friese said, “the second weekend of July.” For more information, email athenacaledonian- games@gmail.com or visit www.athenacaledonian.org. Kelly Thompson-Long September 12, 1958 - February 6, 2022 Kelly Thompson-Long started her final journey on Feb. 6, 2022. Kelly was born Sept. 12, 1958, in Pendleton, Oregon, the third of five children to Cecil and Doris Scott Thompson. As a newborn she moved to San Francisco, Cal- ifornia, where she spent her first 10 years, while her parents par- ticipated in the federal relocation program. The family returned to Pendleton in the late 1960s where she remained the rest of her life, raising her daughter, Doris Wheeler, amongst a large extended family. Kelly worked in various career fields that provided opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, being a flagger, na- tive plant nursery tech and a heavy equipment operator. As she aged, she maintained many customer service and clerical roles throughout the Confederated Tribes and the Wildhorse Resort & Casino. In retirement, Kelly continued to serve her tribal community through various committee work including the election committee, water committee, housing com- mittee and TERO committee. She was an active Nixy- aawii elder, participating in local activities and trav- eling to many elder events across the Northwest. She loved her grandkids, gambling, traveling and watching Nixyaawii school sports. Kelly is preceded in death by her father, Cecil, and brother, Warren Thompson. She leaves behind her daughter, Doris Wheeler, and grandkids, Monika Me- lendrez, of Hilo, Hawaii, and Anthony (Kate), Ian and Aaron Melendrez, all of Pendleton; her mother, Do- ris Thompson, of Pendleton; sisters, Lorena and Cara (Shay) Thompson, of Pendleton and Cathy Thompson, of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and good friends. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, her ready laugh, her playful pranks, her stylish wardrobe, and for being everyone’s “favorite.” East Oregonian A7 COMMUNITY BRIEFING Republicans welcome Vance Day PENDLETON — The Umatilla County Repub- lican Party announced several upcoming events, including a pair of candi- date forums. Vance Day, a former Marion County Circuit Court judge, is the featured guest for a Lincoln Day dinner. He will speak about a project he’s involved with for the James Madi- son Center for Free Speech. Day is touring the state to talk about constitutional rights and principles against tyranny. Day served as the chair- man of the Oregon Repub- lican Party 2005-09. The Oregon Supreme Court in 2018 suspended Day with- out pay for three years for judicial misconduct after he refused to marry same-sex couples. The event is Monday, Feb. 21, at the Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate. The doors open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. The cost is $50 per person. An early reception with Day for the Pachy- derm Club is at 4:30 p.m. It costs $100, which includes dinner. Reser vations are required by Friday, Feb. 18. For more information or to RSVP, call 541-304-5477. Also, the Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Forum, which was post- poned because of weather, has been rescheduled. It is Thursday, March 24, 6 p.m. at the Vert Auditorium, 480 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendle- ton. In addition, a Umatilla County Commissioner Candidates For um is Thursday, March 31, 6 p.m. at the Pendleton Conven- tion Center. Further details about both forums will be announced. For more information about the local Republi- can Party, contact Suni Danforth, Central Commit- tee chair, at 541-215-9389, ucrpchair@gmail.com or search www.facebook.com/ groups/85685613647. Little league registration deadline is Sunday PENDLETON — The deadline to register for Pendleton Little League is Sunday, Feb. 13. Monte Ludington, pres- ident of Pendleton Little League, in a press release also announced tryouts are Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Pendleton Little League Park. The time has not been set. All information and forms, including the regis- tration link and volunteer forms, are available online at pendletonlittleleague. sportngin.com. For families not able to afford the cost of registra- tion, there is a grant avail- able through T-Mobile. If you apply and do not receive the T-Mobile grant, you can apply to the Pendleton Little League Board for a schol- arship. Pendleton Little League also needs coaches and umpires. If you volunteer to coach, you will receive one free registration for the child you are coaching. If you are interested in either coaching or umpiring, fill out the appropriate appli- cation for submission or email. If you have questions, contact pendletonlittlelea- gue@gmail.com or Luding- ton at 541-514-4683. — EO Media Group Lynn Rae Liebe September 24, 1936 - February 5, 2022 Lynn R. Liebe, 85, passed away Feb. 5, 2022, at a care fa- cility in Vancouver, Washington. She was born to Ray and Pauline (Boyd) Fossum in Baker City, Ore- gon. She enjoyed her childhood in Baker City then moved to Hermis- ton, Oregon, in her junior year of high school, graduating in 1954. In her senior year, she and her tennis partner placed third in state and she also participated in Pep Club. After graduating high school, she was em- ployed at the U.S. Army Ordnance Depot. About this time, she met the love of her life, Bill Liebe, and they married on 4-4-55, April 4, 1955, in Hermiston. They then moved to Pilot Rock in June 1955, where they started their life together. She was a homemaker, self- taught seamstress and loved to crochet afghans and quilting blankets. She worked at Bowers Market, First National Bank, Georgia Pacific and ending her career at United States Gypsum/International Paper, and after 25 years retiring as office manager in 1988. She and Bill enjoyed square dancing, teach- ing Bill how to play tennis, bridge and in 1970 they learned how to play golf. During her golf career she had five holes in one! She and Bill also won the Birch Creek Invitational Golf Tournament. They spent many years playing golf with their Canadian group and their BLT&M friends at Eagle Crest and many other loca- tions traveling the Northwest. Also, playing bridge with a group of friends for 25 years. Another hobby was her yard and flower gardens, earning several yard of the month awards. Her greatest joy was supporting her children and grandchildren in school events. Many a cookies were eaten and shared, afghans crocheted and many life issues were resolved while traveling to chil- dren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren events. She was a member of the Pilot Rock Jaycee's as a member of the Booster Club, she co-hosted the OSAA Class 2A State Basketball Tournament Cheerleader lun- cheons at the Pendleton Country Club, treasurer of the Community Presbyterian Church, city council for many years, member of the women's board and the first wom- an on the men's board for the Pendleton Country Club. She was preceded in death by her parents, sis- ter, Loy Harsin Smith, brothers-in-law, Wayne Harsin, Jim Smith and great-grandson, Brody Bensel. She is survived by husband, Bill; daughters, Loraine (Glenn) Greene, Pilot Rock, Oregon, Brenda (Kelly) Bensel, Pilot Rock, Oregon; son, Bo (Leonti- na) Liebe, Camas, Washington; grandchildren, Tyler, Rachael, Justin, Ryan, Jordan and Parker; great-grand- children, Matthew, Issac, Drew, Bryce, Maise, Abby, Bentley and Paisley. A graveside service, everyone welcome, will be Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 at 1:30pm at Skyview Cem- etery, 70116 Hwy 395 S. Pendleton. Followed by a cel- ebration of life luncheon at 2:30pm at the Pilot Rock Community Center, 285 NW Cedar Place. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donation be made in Lynn’s name to the Rocket Booster Club, PO Box 567, Pilot Rock, OR 97868. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of the arrangements.