Wallowa County Chieftain From A1 wallowa.com August 15, 2018 A9 BOGGANS RISING FROM THE ASHES Contributed photo Paul Wahl/Chieftain Rich and Rebecca Matthews are the latest additions to the staff of Wallowa Memorial Hospital. A new Boggan’s Oasis rises out of the ashes on the Lewiston Road north of Flora. The popular stopping point, owned by Far- rel and Bill Vail, burned to the ground Nov. 18, 2017. Air conditioning will be built in this time, and a walk-in refrigerator is also planned. The couple, in their 80s, will put off their retirement in Palm Springs to see the restaurant through to its opening, first winter and spring. After that, they’ll consider how to move forward. Matthews join hospital’s physical therapy staff Rich and Rebecca Mat- thews, both doctors of phys- ical therapy, joined the reha- bilitation therapy department at Wallowa Memorial Hospi- tal in July. “We’re thankful and honored to be part of the health care team here,” said Rebecca. The Matthews were look- ing to practice in a rural area with a small-town lifestyle, according to the couple. Rebecca grew up on a wheat farm near Heppner, graduating from Ione High School. Rich has lived in several states, most recently Alaska, so was undeterred by Wallowa County’s remote location. In addition, Rebecca’s sister, Amy Shaffeld and her husband Dr. Tyler Shaffeld, live in Wallowa County. The couple also loves the outdoor lifestyle, citing hunting, fishing, camping, mountain climbing and hik- ing among their interests. Rebecca enjoys horseback- riding, as well as music; she plays the harp and the piano. “We really like the area,” said Rich. “Low traf- fic, friendly people, a strong sense of community. We’d only been here a few weeks when we went to the Chief Joseph Days Grand Parade, and already people recog- nized us and said hello.” Chamber seeking help with state fair booth scenario would be individu- als with family or friends in the Salem area,” said cham- ber executive director Vicki Searles. “Lodging is diffi- cult to find during the time of the State Fair.” The hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone interested should call Searles 541- 426-4622 or email vicki@ wallowacounty.org. This year’s Oregon State Fair theme is “Where Fun Shines.” The fair runs Aug. 24 through Sept. 3 in Salem. The annual event hosts thousands of visitors and features premier concerts, art, culture, rides, agricul- tural exhibits and livestock. a Cheryl, as so Cheryl Kooch, or Grandm d in the county live has , her to er many ref viously owned more than 50 years and pre Union County, in sed a business here. Rai nty when she moved to Wallowa Cou family. She her se rai to d rrie she got ma o a job and turned her love of golf int ine Meadows is currently the GM at Alp the outdoors Golf Course. Cheryl loves rly every day, and this community. Nea beloved dog, you will find her and her ough Joseph, Lizzy, power walking thr ngsters to and she puts most of us you ng mother, shame. Cheryl is an amazi s community, friend and addition to thi weeks Athlete and we select her as this of the Week! udly Pr o onsore d b y S p Joseph Cheryl Kooch vice Propane Supplier Eastern Oregon’s Full Ser 320 erprise • 541-426-0 E nergy. Community. Service. 201 E. Hwy 82, Ent www.edstaub.com ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Would you like to volun- teer to help spread the word about Wallowa County at the Oregon State Fair? The Wallowa Chamber of Commerce will have a booth that displays outdoor recreation opportunities and the Wallowa County Barn Tour. Depending on display space at the booth, it may be possible to include other displays. The chamber is look- ing for one or two volun- teers or a small youth group that would be interested in working at the booth Monday, Aug. 27 through Wednesday, Aug. 29. “Since we are within 30 days of the fair, the ideal STINK Continued from Page A1 After she listed a num- ber of messes, Sajonia sug- gested she and council mem- ber Tanya Collier give lessons on how to clean restrooms. At that point, Collier said she had even offered to clean the restrooms herself twice and was turned down. Council member Marty Hamilton noted that former council member Kathy Bing- ham had submitted a letter to the council that suggested the city hire a temporary employee to clean the bath- rooms during the summer sea- son for an approximate cost of $2,700. “I’m all for it,” he said. “Why should the city work- ers be focused on bathrooms when they can focus on some- thing else? Obviously, they can’t do the job.” Sajonia said she believed the public works employ- ees could do the job and that IN BRIEF Land trust to host bird event Aug. 24 Would you like to do some- thing to help the bird popula- tion in Wallowa County? Wallowa Land Trust will host a Bird Box Stewardship Day 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday, Aug. 24. Volunteers should meet at the Land Trust office, 116 S. River St., Enterprise. Holloway/Pie Social/Upper Elementary Room painting, sheetrocking and possibly stripping paint on the wood. Work on the Sewing/ Lower Elementary Room is also planned clearing, clean- ing it and then treating the floor. Wear your grubbies in lay- ers (cool in morning, hot later in the day). Bring snacks. A potluck is 2 p.m. along with the annual ”The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” discussion for School Days 2018. All ages are welcome, and all skill levels too. Flora School work party set Aug. 18 A work party will be at the Flora School in Flora, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18. Crews will be working on the The Nature Conservancy 906 S. River Street Enterprise, Oregon 97828 Or contact Mike Hale at mike.hale@tnc.org Telephone: 541-426-3458 x7 ! h Salmon t o o T - r e b Sa th Salmon Saber-Too d Natural an lection e S l a u x e S regon’s n Shaping O nt Salmo ia Extinct G PhD , s i v a D d yr Edward B 3 l History d Cultura f Oregon o Natural an ty f si o er m u iv ces, Un s, Muse ollection or of Earth Scien f Fossil C ss Curator o Assistant Profe ug 2 Thurs, A 7 pm Critter Joan Gilbert (org. photo: Oregon State University) $40 adoption fee The morning will be spent placing nesting boxes on the back of the East Moraine. A variety of bird species make the moraines their home, including the American Kestrel. RSVP: 541-426-2042. If you are interested in leasing pasture on the Zumwalt Prairie, application materials are available at: Meet neuter at either of our WC Vets the resignation of three top employees in the past year. Sajonia suggested a local working business profes- sional sit in and assist the council during the interviews. “We haven’t been very successful in hiring,” she said. “It’s not anyone’s fault, but we need to realize our flaws.” Hamilton asked if guide- lines for the position were available, and Sajonia said that the job description includes job expectations and a terms of employment book. Sands added the city also used a hiring handbook from the League of Oregon Cities. Council member Mike Lockhart agreed with Sajo- nia’s proposal but said in his mind the duties for the posi- tion were not clearly outlined. He also said more thorough background checks might aid in future hiring. No decision was made on the matter. The board decided to inter- view all of the candidates Aug.16-17. The Nature Conservancy is seeking producers interested in grazing leases on the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve. Lease opportunities may be under either full-care or self-care terms. Our standard lease is a two year term, with potential for renewals based on performance and program needs. The goal of the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve grazing lease program is to graze the Preserve in a manner compatible with the native grassland plant communities, to facilitate grazing research, and to develop relationships that further conservation on lessee property and the surrounding privately-owned prairie. Brought to you by Main Street Motors Please contact Diana at 541-426-5918 after 5:00 pm share of the county’s Tran- sient Occupancy Tax. Audience member Scott Lanier had another observation. “Are these the same employees that raises were given to two or three meetings ago?” he wondered. At the July council meet- ing, the two senior public works employees were given raises of $2 an hour and $3 dollars an hour. “Yes,” Sands answered. Lanier suggested that the city hire the extra employee that Bingham suggested. He said that the public works employees were possibly spread too thin. “In terms of quality of work, we all know how to do bathrooms,” he said. “It’s a nasty, disgusting job, but at least have a person account- able ...” The council also dis- cussed the 12-15 applications received for the city recorder position after a round of advertising. The city has seen Zumwalt Prairie Preserve Grazing Applications PET OF THE WEEK I’m a 4 mo. old, male, grey and white kitty. I am litter box trained, have my shots and have been wormed. I am a very helpful fella, I work in the yard pulling weeds, check the plants for strength and smell the flowers. I help in the house as well. African violets are my favorite, the leaves make such nice toys. I will make a good friend with older children and adults. I am a must see to appreciate. I’m smart and learn quickly. Available for Adoption it was one of the reasons the city hired a new public works employee. “I think we need to be more aware during the hiring process,” she said. Mayor Dennis Sands, who is the go-between for the council and public works department, said that he would have another serious talk with the crew about the bathrooms, although he noted he hadn’t heard complaints for a week, and Bronson said the city had recently received several compliments on the restroom. Sajonia, who is also a member of the Main St. Main- tenance Committee, noted that on the payroll sheets, the public works crew billed the Main Street Fund for approx- imately two hours a day per week. “Are they spending two hours a day emptying garbage or cleaning bathrooms –– no way,” she said. Much of the Main Street Fund comes from the city’s Natural History Discovery Center 508 N. Main • Joseph • 541-263-1663 • wallowology.org “We took our daughter to Dr. Allen on several occasions, and we were extremely happy with the care we received…” -Enterprise Mom Dr. Allen is a family practice physician and doctor of osteopathic medicine. Call Dr. Allen to schedule your appointment today! 541-426-7900 Mountain View Medical Group 603 Medical Parkway (next to Wallowa Memorial Hospital) Enterprise, Oregon 97828 We treat you like family 601 Medical Parkway, Enterprise, OR 97828 • 541-426-3111 • www.wchcd.org Wallowa Memorial Hospital is a equal opportunity mployer and provider