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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 8, 2017)
Wallowa County Chieftain News wallowa.com THREE minutes with ... November 8, 2017 Roswitha Parks, 72, of Joseph came to Wallowa County eight years ago when she and her husband, David, moved back to David’s hometown after retirement. David is the son of Maxine and Bill Parks of Joseph. Since arriving, Roswitha has been a spark in the commu- nity. She enjoys lunching at the Community Connection, and the table at which she is sitting is easy to locate because of all of the laughter. She was raised in Munich, Germany, and came to the states in her early 20s. She had wanted to immigrate for some time, but once she was here (in Bend where she had friends), she found assimilation much more diffi cult than she antici- pated. American culture was different, she missed German food, and she was homesick. But she says she was “too stub- born and refused to call it quits.” Now, 40 years later, she is thoroughly American. She worked two jobs in Bend, and after fi ve years earned her citizenship. She then went to work for the U.S. Forest Service as an archaeological tech, a rangeland tech and a rec- reation tech. She was stationed in John Day and La Grande. She met David in La Grande when he worked for ODOT as a right-of-way agent and the couple married in 1985. They have no children. Roswitha works part-time at Heidi’s Towne Shoppe in Joseph, a job she enjoys. The rest of her time is spent taking care of David, who is in poor health. She is on the board of Community Connection and is chairwoman of the organization’s Advisory Council. David Rowitha ROSWITHA PARKS is a Vietnam vet and Roswitha is a member of the VFW Auxiliary. Q. What attracted you to Wallowa County –– other than it was David’s home territory? A. I was almost ready to move three days after we got here because the wind blew so hard down Hurricane Creek. The Realtor had said the wind only blew three or four times a year. But I liked it right away because it was beautiful, the people are nice, and it was a small community. I came from a fairly large community, and that’s fun when you’re young. When you are older, you like it more quiet. Q. What is your favorite pastime? A. Gardening. It’s how I relax. I have a big beautiful yard, and I’m always working in my yard. I used to have a big gar- den, too, before David became ill. I especially liked to grow all different kinds of lettuce. I used to grow six or seven vari- eties. I love the look of them all, and I have chickens, and they love the lettuce too. My favorite fl owers are carnations because of the smell. Q. Can you recommend a book for us? A. I really liked “The Target” by David Baldacci. I love mysteries of all kinds: British mysteries or spy mysteries. I don’t like romances because they always end the same way. I watch Mystery on PBS. I watch a lot of PBS. I also love watching “Doc Martin” on PBS. ‘A Murder is Announced’ an arresting production By Kathleen Ellyn Wallowa County Chieftain Wallowa County residents are being treated to a skillful production of “A Murder is Announced” for three more showings this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Delightful amateur perfor- mances support the complex, 90-minute, two-act produc- tion of the Agatha Christie murder favorite. It is an ambitious play, and one cannot help but admire the able direction of Kate Loftus in bringing it off. Jennifer Hobbs as Letitia Blacklock carries the lion’s share of the dialogue through most of the production. Her reserve is carefully spiced at precisely the right moments and her confi dent acting anchors the production. Carol Vencill, as the ditzy Dora “Bunny” Bunner, gives a pitch-perfect portrayal of the character on the verge of “spilling the beans” with every comment. Vencill’s acting skills allow “Bunny” to keep the audience laugh- Contributed photo Three able actresses (from left): Gwen Menton as Miss Marple, Jennifer Hobbs as Letitia Blacklock and Carol Ven- cill as Dora “Bunny” Bunner in the ambitious production of “A Murder is Announced.” Inspector Craddock and Miss Marple (Stuart Vencill and Gwen Menton) try to solve the mystery before the murder- er strikes again in the MidValley Theatre Co. production of “A Murder is Announced.” Three performances remain, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Lostine Academy in Lostine. ing while skating the very edge of crossing the line into caricature. Gwen Menton is a perfect Miss Marple. Her arrival on the stage elicited such joy of recognition prompting instant applause. Menton’s experi- ence was visible throughout as she remained true to char- acter in every moment, acting with such subtlety that the Vencill selected costumes for the cast that enhance every actor’s performance and brought wonder at each costume change. The choice to dress stagehands as par- lor maids and allow them a moment or two of acting or interacting with the audience during costume changes also kept the audience engaged throughout the performance. Kathleen Ellyn/Chieftain character of Miss Marple was evident even when she was simply sitting on the couch listening to other characters. Other cast members include Andy Martin, Anna Moholt, Sebastian Hobbs, Paige Lattin, Amé Leg- gett, Jeff Fields, Bryce Leg- gett, Stuart Vencill and Steve Kliewer. Gwen Menton and Carol A5 IF YOU GO “A Murder is Announced” is staged at Lostine Academy Gym 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The play runs 90 minutes with an intermission. Snacks and drinks are available. Tickets at the door for $8. FOR THE RECORD OCT. 30 12:26 p.m. –– A 911 caller reported a domestic disturbance in a vehicle in rural Joseph. 12:08 p.m. –– Criminal mischief reported in Joseph. 8:16 p.m. –– 911 caller reported a possible disturbance in Imnaha. OCT. 31 6:59 p.m. –– A dead deer was blocking the roadway in Enterprise. NOV. 1 6:49 a.m. –– 911 report of an unat- tended death in Joseph. 10:51 a.m. –– Report of a retrain- ing order violation in Enterprise. NOV. 2 1:27 p.m. –– Report of an identity theft in Lostine NOV. 3 12:40 p.m. –– Report of criminal mischief in Enterprise. NOV. 4 1:37 p.m. –– Judith Denise Clark, 37, Joseph, was arrested by Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office on a probation violation. Original charge was Felon in possession of a weapon. She was transported to Umatilla County Jail. 1:24 a.m. –– A traffic stop in Enter- prise resulted in the arrest of Timothy Shannon Poteat, 56, of Enterprise, for DUI. He was cited and released. NOV. 5 10:18 p.m. –– 911 call reporting a traffic crash in Enterprise. Amanda Lanae Cecil, 32, of Joseph, was arrested by Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office for DUI. She was cited and released. WALLOWA COUNTY BARGAINS OF OF THE THE MONTH BARGAINS MONTH ® While supplies last. Health Line YOUR CHOICE 9.99 40 lb. Wild Bird Food L 129 284 1 20 lb. Black Oil Sunflower Bird Seed L 106 363 1 M-F 8AM-6PM • SAT 8AM-5PM • SUN 9AM-3PM Sale Ends 11/30/17 EARLY DEADLINE for Nov. 22nd Edition Classified Liners, Legals & Display Ads DEADLINE Thurs. Nov. 16 at 5:00pm 541-426-4567 209 N.W. 1st St. Enterprise OR 97828 Office will be CLOSED Nov. 23 Keycode Entry Weight Room • Cardio Women’s Circuit • Tanning 202 W. Main, Enterprise 541-426-0313 519 W. North Street, Enterprise 541.426.3413 Mon-Thurs 9 to Noon/1-5pm; Fri. 9-1