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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (June 8, 2016)
A16 Business/Sports wallowa.com June 8, 2016 Wallowa County Chieftain New owners, fresh ideas at RimRock BIZ BUZZ Kim is the daughter of Bill and Nancy Rudger. She graduated from Enterprise High School in 1987 and was a princess on the 1987 Chief Joseph Days court. Her roots in the county stretch back for generations. “I’m glad to be back,” Kim said. “Cabot and I were trying to ind something in Wallowa County where we could put our restaurant and hospitality talents to work.” Kim majored in hospitali- ty and international studies at Southern Oregon University in Ashland and worked at a high-end bed and breakfast establishment and Ashland Hills Hotel and Suites. She also worked in marketing for the Valley Mall in Medford, and then got a “dream job as a marketing manager” at Mrs. Fields Cookies headquarters in Salt Lake City, which she held for 10 years. In 1994, Kim met Cabot, a southern California boy ma- joring in biology who always was a “great cook who loved to cook,” Kim said. “So after we got together we focused on that.” Cabot was chef at the in- grown to 6 feet and one inch, weighing a lean 135 pounds. Along with the growth spurt, he has grown into a National Collegiate Athletic Associ- ation Division II three-time All-American with his ifth- place inish in the 1,500 me- ters at the national inals in Bradenton, Fla. on May 28. He also earned All-American distinction in two events at the Division II Indoor Track Finals in March. Not long after his irst win, Ribich saw a banner in the EHS gym celebrating the 2005 cross country individ- ual state championship won by Krista Stangel. He knew he wanted one of his own. He fulilled that dream in 2013, winning three gold med- als, including the individual cross-country title at the state meet that year. “I kept pursuing it, and every fall I just kept getting better and better and contin- uously improving, as I still am,” he said. EHS track and cross-coun- try coach Dan Moody helped prepare Ribich for track at the college level. “Moody was different than any other coach at the high school level,” Ribich said. “Lots of athletes come to college and don’t pan out, or they just taper and never improve. Dan is more of a developmental coach who really looks into making the best possible future athlete, and the best possible person. He’s responsible for the suc- cess I continue to have here.” The two continue to stay in touch. Moody remembers Rib- ich well, having coached him from seventh grade to his se- nior year. “He was a small individ- ual but had a lot of heart,” Moody said. “He was te- nacious with how hard he worked. He was someone to watch, even as a seventh grader.” Moody said that despite Ribich’s tremendous indi- vidual efforts, he also was a team player who enjoyed par- ticipating in relays. “He was on our mile relay team that were state champi- ons, and that was important to him.” Having three state gold medals under his belt didn’t necessarily mean NCAA Di- vision I schools were beating down the doors for Ribich. He said he was most heavi- ly recruited by both Eastern Oregon University and WOU before deciding on the latter in December of 2013. “Recruiting was pretty simple for me. I didn’t have that many options, but the options I had were pretty im- portant to me,” he said. One of the main differ- ences Ribich sees between college and high school competition is the level of commitment by college ath- letes. “When you see an individ- ual competing in cross-coun- try or track, they’re dedicat- ing pretty much nine months or all year, every year to getting in shape and pushing themselves to the limit every single time. College is full of individuals who want to im- prove themselves.” Ribich used his compet- itive spirit after his college freshman year when he placed first in the 1,500 me- ters at the Greater Northwest Athletic Conference cham- pionships, but failed to make it to the national finals. “It’s kind of ridiculous how you can make it to con- ference, but you can’t make By Kathleen Ellyn Wallowa County Chieftain A Wallowa County girl has come home. And she brought her chef husband and two children, Kady 15 and Tristan, 13, and a boat-load of talent with her. Kim (nee Rudger) Carl- ston and her husband Cabot recently purchased the Rim- Rock Inn on Highway 3 just north of the Joseph Canyon Scenic View and just short of the Flora turnoff. If their soft opening May 20 and the last few weeks is any indication, Wallowa County and travelers are thrilled to see them. “We’ve had great week- ends,” Kim said. The inn was remodeled by previous owners, Becky, Jordan and Rahn Hostetter, in 2007 and Kim and Cabot have added their own touches and lavor. The inn is going to be featured in the July 2016 issue of Sunset Magazine, ac- cording to Kim. RIBICH Continued from Page A8 “He played soccer from the time he was in kinder- garten,” she said. “I coached soccer until he was in ifth or sixth grade. He was always fast, running everywhere. I was fast and his dad (Mike Ribich) was fast. I knew he had potential.” Mike Ribich had four words to describe his son as a child: “Low maintenance, high morale. He was a great kid.” The elder Ribich plans his vacation time around his son’s meets and attends as many as possible. Ribich, now 20, has Kathleen Ellyn/Chieftain Kim and Cabot Carlston are the new owners the RimRock Inn north of Enterprise. 201 East Hwy 82 Enterprise, OR 97828 541.426.0320 When it comes Summer’s to your home or business, Here! the Safe Way Stop in for is the Best Way! propane refills! 541.426.0320 Call NOW for information about Energysaver® Direct Vent Wall Furnaces. ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING SUPPLIES ELECTRICAL & WATER SYSTEM CONTRACTOR PUMPS • IRRIGATION HARDWARE• APPLIANCE PARTS STILL RUNNING OUT TO FETCH THE PAPER? ternational and vegetarian Greenleaf Restaurant in Ash- land and then put his biology degree and master’s degree in secondary education to use as a junior high science teacher in Salt Lake City. Ten years later, they were ready for their next act — the one that would take them back to Wallowa County. The Carlstons have taken over the upstairs apartment at the inn, leaving two rooms for lodgers on the main loor. They’re going to expand the lodging capacity with the ad- dition of another teepee (or two) and the conversion of the four underused RV hook- ups to reinished, vintage camp trailer lodging. They’ll be open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. They plan to serve breakfast and lunch and recommend reservations for dinner. For more information, call 888-440-4161 or 541-828- 7769 or visit rimrockinnor. com or email info@rimrock- innor.com. it to nationals,” he said. “It brought a whole new level of mental strength going into my sophomore year.” As a student athlete with a 3.25 grade-point average working his way toward a communications degree, Ribich also uses his drive to- ward his studies. “If I’m the best in the classroom, then I’ll be giv- en the best opportunities as well as if I’m the best on the athletic field,” he said. He hopes one day to coach at the collegiate level. This summer, Ribich will train for cross-country, where he plans to succeed as one of the top 15 runners in the NCAA Division II cham- pionship finals. He also will train while mentoring younger athletes at the Steens Mountain High Altitude Running Camp in southeast Oregon, which he once attended as an aspiring athlete. He now serves as a coun- selor. Beyond the coaching and his own hard work Ribich credits the Enterprise com- munity for his success. “I appreciate the commu- nity back home in Enterprise for continually supporting me. Even when people were watching me for nationals in cross-country and I got a 67th (place), they were en- couraging and standing by me. ... The Wallowa County community is a huge reason why I run. It’s part of my identity and makes me feel good that I can represent the community and county here.” Kathleen Ellyn Main Street shifts soon T hings are shakin’ on Main Street in Enter- prise — some of which I can’t tell you until it’s “of- icial.” But this I can say: J’s Place computer and music supply store has moved around the corner into the old Savoie’s Specialties building. Jay Connolly, owner of J’s Place, is still stirring his dis- plays around for the perfect it, but he’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the new location, 103 SW First St. Contact him at 541-426- 0108. Well, we know what Jay’s move means, don’t we? Some time ago Jody and Michael Berry, who own Wild Carrot Herbals and Dandelion Wine on Main St. in Enterprise, mentioned they had their eyes on Jay’s establishment for future, undisclosed “ex- pansion,” and Jay conirms he sold them the building. Just what the Berrys are going to do with that build- ing is the subject of delicious speculation at this point. “We honestly don’t have plans other than to renovate,” said Jody Berry. “We’re in that ‘uncover’ state, and then we’ll see where we go from there.” So far they’ve uncovered some huge window space hidden under the wood fac- ing, and Michael is in and out of the building remodeling as I write. But wait, there’s more. But I can’t tell you, yet. Stay tuned. I can tell you that two other home businesses made it through their Planning Department and City Coun- cil approvals recently: Vicki Waer’s one-chair, home- based salon in Joseph and Lola and Mike Johnson’s self-service pet wash station on Eggleson Lane. Congratu- lations to both entrepreneurs. We can’t wait to hear when you’re ready to open, now that the paperwork is com- plete. Please send your Biz Buzz news tips to Kathleen Ellyn at kellyn@wallowa.com. 6 months $26.00 1year * $40.00 1year, online $40.00 Subscribe Today! 208 S. RIVER ST. • ENTERPRISE, OR www.jbbane.com • 541-426-3344 541-426-4567 • wallowa.com * $40.00 is the in county price, $57.00 for out of county subscribers. The Wallowa County Chieftain WALLOWA RESOURCES' 12th ANNUAL JUNE 11 AM to 4 PM WALLOWA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS Speak LOUDER with COLOR Add color to your ad for ONLY $5 Deadline is 4PM Monday Call 541-426-4567 liste You heard it here FIRST! Advertise in the Chieftain’s print and online classifieds. 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