REGION
Thursday, April 28, 2022
East Oregonian
MORROW COUNTY
UEC hits
capital
credits
milestone
Commissioners suspend
$672K gift for BMCC
board of directors that is
elected by the public to over-
see their budget,” he said.
HEPPNER — Morrow “They spend a dollar where
County Board of Commis- they think it benefits the
sioners last week voted to most people. And now for
suspend a $627,517 share three county commission-
of Amazon’s one-time gift ers to weigh in and say, ‘We
payment to Blue Mountain don’t like how your elected
Community College.
officials are running your
The move came Wednes- budget, and so we’re going
day, April 20, after Commis- to withhold tax dollars that,
sioner Melissa
probably, rightfully,
Lindsay said said she
were yours,’ I think is
wanted the county
wrong.”
to “hold on to those
He stated an error
Blue Mou ntain
by Oregon led to a
Community College
problem with distri-
dollars.”
bution. The college,
She said BMCC
because it is in the
had “transitioned
Doherty
t axing dist r ict,
should have received
away somewhat
an even greater share
from our work-
force development”
of the Amazon gift,
and she had felt
he said.
“uncomfortable.” It
Lindsay coun-
was her preference,
tered Russell by stat-
she said, to keep that
ing her belief this
money until more
money should not be
Lindsay
was known about
sent to Pendleton.
Following this
where it would be
discussion, there
directed. She said
she wanted to ensure
was a vote to suspend
that it would benefi t
the money until
Morrow County.
research could be
According to
done. Commission-
Lindsay, because
ers voted 2-1, with
BMCC is not going
board Chair Jim
to fund its part of the
Russell
Doherty and Lind-
Workforce Train-
say voting to suspend
ing Center in Boardman, the the money and Russell voting
county itself could direct the against.
Doherty on Tuesday,
money to the center.
“I did confi rm that those April 26, said he was heart-
checks had not been cut yet,” broken over BMCC’s prob-
lems. The school is suff ering
she said.
This being the case, low enrollment, cutbacks
suspending the payment and budget shortfalls. The
would be an easier matter commissioner said he and his
than they would have been son are alumni of the college.
otherwise.
He said the topic of the
Commissioner Don suspension will be revis-
Russell said this move by the ited at some point, following
commissioners would be an further discussions.
overreach.
Lindsay, too, said more
“Blue Mountain has a discussions are scheduled.
By ERICK PETERSON
East Oregonian
Cattle Barons rides into
Pendleton for 14th year
By TAMMY
MALGESINI
East Oregonian
PENDLETON — High-
lighting everything from
cowboy grit, geldings,
working dogs and West-
ern gear, Pendleton Cattle
Barons was created as a way
to honor the region’s West-
ern heritage. The nonprofi t
event wrangles in money
for scholarships for area
students pursuing further
education in agriculture-re-
lated fi elds.
In its 14th year, the 2022
event kicks off this week in
and around the Pendleton
Convention Center with
the majority of the activi-
ties slated for Friday, April
29, and Saturday, April
30. In addition to support-
ing students, Cattle Barons
helps the local economy as
thousands of people attend,
spending money at area
businesses. While some of
the events charge an entry
fee, there are plenty of activ-
ities that people can enjoy
free of charge.
The Tradin’ Post Trade
Show and Western Artistry
Show & Sale off er a variety
of shopping opportunities.
It’s open Friday and Satur-
day from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
People also can preview
the Western Select horses
(Friday, 10 a.m.; Saturday,
11 a.m.) and working dogs
(Friday, 1 p.m.; Saturday,
9:30 a.m.) that will be on the
auction block. Also, infor-
mation about the horses
and dogs is available on the
event website. The sale is
Saturday, 3-6:30 p.m.
Other highlights include
the Ranch Rodeo Cham-
pionships (Friday, 6 p.m.)
And the North American
Stock Saddle Bronc Cham-
pionships (Saturday, 7 p.m.)
features nearly two dozen of
the best stock saddle bronc
riders.
Both events are in the
Round-Up Pavilion. Tick-
ets for each event are $20 for
adults or $10 for ages 5-12.
General admission combo
tickets for both nights are
$35 for adults or $15 for kids.
Also, the popular Buck-
aroo BBQ Challenge off ers
bragging rights to back-
yard grillers as they show
off their sizzlin’ skills in
preparing tri-tip, chicken
and baby back pork ribs. The
contestants also compete for
trophies and prize money.
Sanctioned by the Pacifi c
Northwest BBQ Associa-
tion, a purse of $5,000 is up
for grabs — with the over-
all grand champion taking
home $1,025 and the reserve
grand champion pocketing
$750.
“It’s always a big hit, and
it’s fun to see everyone’s
preferences and the friendly
competition,” said Kristen
Dollarhide of Travel Pend-
leton, who serves as the
Buckaroo BBQ Challenge
director.
For an opportunity to
judge the people’s choice in
tri-tip, follow your nose and
purchase a voting button
for $5. The tasting runs
Saturday 1-2:30 p.m. in the
convention center parking
lot. In addition, The Prod-
igal Son Brewery & Pub is
hosting a beer garden
To learn more about
Pendleton Cattle Barons,
to view a full schedule
or to purchase tickets for
the ranch rodeo or saddle
bronc championships, visit
www.cattlebarons.net. For
questions, about the Buck-
aroo BBQ Challenge,
contact Dollarhide at kris-
ten@travelpendleton.com
or 541- 276-7411.
East Oregonian
Kathy Aney/East Oregonian
Good Shepherd Medical Center employees pose April 21, 2022, with Hermiston quilter Jean-
nie Echols, 95, who donated her homemade quilts to give to the hospital’s youngest patients.
To the right is Echols’ friend, Diane Isom, who drove her to the Hermiston hospital.
No time for bingo
95-year-old
Hermiston woman
keeps on sewing
By KATHY ANEY
East Oregonian
HERMISTON — Jean-
nie Echols pushed her walker
purposefully toward the glass
front doors of Good Shepherd
Medical Center, Hermiston,
the morning of April 21.
In the walker’s basket lay
nine colorful, neatly folded
quilts. The miniature quilts
would go to comfort the hospi-
tal’s youngest patients.
One might think this nona-
genarian would want to kick
back and relax in her advanced
years instead of toiling away
on quilts, but that’s evidently
not in Echols’ DNA.
“Why should I just play
bingo or something?” she said.
“I love to sew.”
On this day, Echols
entered the hospital lobby
with her most recent batch of
patchwork masterpieces and
donned a mask. Good Shep-
herd CEO Brian Sims stepped
forward to ooh and ah over the
quilts. He told her about the
ones he has at home, quilted
by his grandmother.
“I don’t know anybody
who does this anymore,” Sims
said. “It’s a lost art.
East Oregonian
BOARDMAN — The Port
of Morrow has a new boss.
Lisa Mittelsdorf starts as
the port’s executive direc-
tor May 9. She is the port’s
economic development direc-
tor. The port announced the
move in a press release
Wednesday, April 27.
Mittelsdorf has been
with the Port of Morrow for
more than 30 years, work-
ing closely with previous
directors, the announcement
stated. As executive director,
she will be responsible for the
management and administra-
tion of port activities.
Port of Morrow Commis-
sion President Rick Stokoe
said Mittelsdorf is an excep-
tional leader.
“Lisa’s successful collabo-
rations with her many board
positions, strong community
and business partnerships
and experience manag-
ing successful teams will
elevate the port’s success as
we continue to be the second
largest port in the state,” he
said according to the release.
Port Commissioner Joe
Taylor in the release compli-
mented Mittelsdorf’s expe-
riences and relationships as
Echo Fire Department
receives roof grant
ECHO — The Echo Rural Fire Protection
District has received a $20,000 grant from the
Wildhorse Foundation to repair the fi re station
roof, helping to alleviate the $26,000 price tag.
Operating on an annual budget of $100,000,
the district already spent $25,000 on a new engine
for a truck in early July 2021. Then the roof at the
station began leaking in late December.
“At fi rst, we thought it would be an easy fi x,”
Fire Chief Delbert Gehrke said, “but then insu-
lation began to fall into the fi rehouse, exposing a
hole that allowed you to see through the ceiling.”
Gehrke decided to put an application in with
the Wildhorse Foundation, despite only a couple
PREACHES TO
The Text: I Peter 3:18-22
Q uestion: What does this passage mean to
Seventh-day Adventist Christians
who believe that the dead are truly
dead (body, mind, and spirit) until
Jesus returns, and that hell is a future,
temporary event?
The
husband of 75 years.
Before Echols moved into
an apartment in Sun Terrace,
she decided to give away her
sewing machine, thinking she
wouldn’t have space to sew.
But she missed it. She bought
a little Singer and got sewing
again.
So Echols continues to
make quilts for the young
patients at Good Shepherd.
She also provides quilts for the
Trucare Pregnancy Clinic in
Hermiston and crochets hats
for premature babies at Kadlec
Regional Medical Center.
On Thursday, Echols
soaked in her superstar status
for about 15 minutes as she
presented her most recent
batch of quilts. ER staff gath-
ered around her and admired
her work. With Echols and
her quilts front and center,
they posed for a group photo,
including Echols’ friend
Diane Isom, who had driven
her to the hospital.
Afterwards, they peppered
Echols with questions. When
hospital communications
director Caitlin Cozad asked
Echols why she keeps on
making quilts, the nonage-
narian gave a simple answer.
“I love to sew,” she said
matter-of-factly. “That’s my
thing.”
She doesn’t intend to stop
any time soon.
“a huge advantage not only
with our port partners but
also with our county, region
and state.
The port commission
began an internal search to
fi ll the position, which was
left vacant by the death of
Executive Director Ryan
Neal in January. By April 4,
it received letters of inter-
est from candidates and
then conducted interviews.
According to the release,
there were three very quali-
fi ed internal applicants who
made the decision diffi cult.
The commission thanked
the candidates.
LOCAL BRIEFING
“THE SPIRITS IN PRISON”
The
The Hermiston woman
can’t quite recall when she
started sewing, but she was
tiny. By age 12, she was
sewing her little’s sister’s
pajamas and other garments
on the family sewing machine.
Later, she stitched everything
from snowsuits to hats and
fl eece jackets for her fi ve chil-
dren. She sewed shirts for
her husband, Hal. When the
shirts wore out, she cut them
up and made panties for her
two daughters.
“My fi rst machine was a
little treadle that my husband
took the top off of and put a
little motor in for me,” she
recalled. “That was in 1945.
I sewed on that for years and
years.”
Herald was a career Army
man so the family moved
often. Military service took
them to Georgia, Germany,
Kansas, Washington D.C and
fi nally to Hermiston where he
served as commander of the
Umatilla Army Depot from
1973-75.
In Hawaii, Jeannie sewed
her husband Hawaiian shirts.
Everywhere they moved, they
hauled the sewing machine
with them. Hal died a year-
and-a-half ago in the after-
math of a stroke. The two met
as four years old in Sunday
school class in Orange,
California. She misses her
POM announces new executive director
A N I NVITATION TO S TUDENTS OF THE B IBLE
C HRIST
A3
P lan: Examine the “who,”
“what,” “when,”
“where” and “why” of this passage.
You are invited to attend Saturday, April 30, 11 a.m.
855 West Highland Avenue, Hermiston, Oregon
(Followed by Lunch and Q&A session).
Presenter/Facilitator: Pastor Kent Knight
of weeks left in the application window, hoping
for funds to help alleviate some of the cost.
To his surprise, the foundation was able to
approve the request and write the grant in a short
time.
The Wildhorse Foundation uses 3% of the net
gaming revenue made at the Wildhorse Resort
& Casino to invest in community matters.
According to the Wildhorse Foundations
website, thewildhorsefoundation.com, since
the foundation’s indoctrination in 2001, the
organization has provided $13 million to local
cultural, educational and public health endeav-
ors. In 2019 alone, the Wildhorse Foundation
provided more than $1.1 million to 127 orga-
nizations within the state.
— EO Media Group
H E R M I ST ON —
Umatilla Electric Coopera-
tive announced it surpassed
$100 million in total refunds
to its members through the
cooperative’s history.
UEC’s Board of Direc-
tors in March approved
the return of $4.5 million
to members as part of the
cooperative’s capital cred-
its program, according to
a press release April 11,
from the co-op. Current
and former members who
purchased electricity during
2018 and 2020 will receive
a refund.
Umatilla Electric will
mail the checks in mid-April,
except for refunds of less
than $10. That will instead
remain in the member’s
capital credits account until
it surpasses that amount in a
future distribution.
As a not-for-profit,
member-owned company,
UEC operates at cost,
with net operating reve-
nues returned to members
in the form of capital
credit refunds. Refunds
to members are based on
the amount of electricity
purchased during the spec-
ifi ed year.
With the latest distri-
bution to members, UEC
has exceeded $100 million
returned to members since
the cooperative began
distributing capital credit
refunds early in its history.
UEC becomes the 24th of
nearly 900 rural electric
cooperatives nationwide to
reach the milestone.
“As capital credits refl ect
each member’s ownership
in the cooperative, it’s a
tremendous achievement
to reach this milestone,”
Bryan Wolfe, president of
UEC’s board, said in the
press release. “It’s important
for us to demonstrate to our
members what it means to be
a cooperative. What better
way to tell our story than to
return capital credits?”
UEC’s annual meet-
ing on October 10, 1947,
was lightly attended; as it
turned out, only a few dozen
members were present in
person to witness the dawn
of “capital credits.”
Ray Woolley, UEC’s
general manager in 1947
explained how capital cred-
its work: Members share
in the cooperative’s profi ts,
called “margins,” which is
revenue minus expenses.
A member’s share of the
margins is called capital
credits.
If a given member spent
$200 for electric service
during the year and UEC’s
margins totaled 10% of reve-
nue, UEC would set aside
$20 to return to that member
at a later date. The member-
ship in 1947 voted 30-1 in
favor of adopting capital
credits.
UEC provided no capi-
tal credits from 1937 until
1941, because the coopera-
tive operated without prof-
its during its early years. It
has assigned capital credits
in all years since, and UEC
paid its fi rst capital cred-
its, totaling $29,216, to its
members in 1960.
4/29 - May 5
Cineplex Show Times
Price changes: Adults: $10.00 • Child: $8.00
Senior: $8.00 • Matinees (before 4:00pm): $8.00
The Northman (R)
4:50p 7:50p
extra 1:50p show 4/29-5/1
The Bad Guys (PG)
3:50p 6:30p 9:10p
extra 1:10p show 4/29-5/1
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets
of Dumbledore (PG13)
4:30p 7:30p
extra 1:30p show 4/29-5/1
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (PG)
3:40p 6:20p 9:00p
extra 1:00p show 4/29-5/1
The Unbearable Weight
of Massive Talent (R)
4:20p 6:50p 9:20p
extra 1:40p show 4/29-5/1
wildhorseresort.com • 541-966-1850
Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216