Enterprise, Oregon
Wallowa.com
134th Year, No. 41
A word from
your editor
E AG L E C A P E X T R E M E
T
he Wallowa County Chieftain
boasts a long history of excep-
tional community journalism.
Overwhelming community support and a
long legacy of extraordinary editors and
publishers account for its
lasting success.
While the Chieftain has
seen a number of influen-
tial editors, Gwen Coffin’s
legacy, cemented in time,
seems to stand above the
Ambroson
herd. Not unlike myself,
Coffin came to the Chieftain with a legal
background but little to no journalistic
experience.
Through profound integrity and a dil-
igent work ethic, Coffin kept the paper
alive through the most difficult of cir-
cumstances. As the editor of a small,
rural, west coast paper, Coffin took
a bold and risky stance of opposition
against Japanese internment. In time, this
calculated risk would prove that he was
only one of a few on the right side of
history.
I wouldn’t presume to compare
myself to Mr. Coffin; however, when-
ever I embark on new adventure, I strive
towards humility and principled values.
I can only hope to find the courage to
stand strong in my convictions whenever
our community needs it the most.
My ability to serve Wallowa County’s
diverse community, to foster a venue of
safe but challenging communal dialogue
and promote a vibrant and civil market-
place of ideas will be the benchmark that
defines my success.
Through this process I seek to listen
attentively, learn much, and with an open
and flexible mind reflect on the collec-
tive opinions of all Wallowa Countians.
We can never forget that while we may
disagree from time to time, we are all
neighbors who care about one another in
a profound way.
As such, I call for a continued era of
civility, of virtue, and of collegiality.
We are all in this together. As a commu-
nity we have enormous shoes to fill, but
together we can and will achieve amaz-
ing things.
I look forward to hearing from each of
you. Please share with me your thoughts
and concerns, and together we can strive
to meet the exceptionally high standard
of trustworthy journalism that we all
adore and expect from our amazing com-
munity paper.
Best regards to all,
Christian Ambroson
———
Contact Christian at editor@wallowa.
com, at 209 NW 1st Street, Enterprise or
at 541-263-1620.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Ellen Morris Bishop/Chieftain
Dr. Jereld Rice’s family congratulates him after crossing the finish line in the Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race to win with a
time of 18 hours, 20 minutes.
SECOND TIME’S
THE CHARM
Enterprise veterinarian
triumphs in Eagle
Cap Extreme
By Ellen Morris Bishop
Wallowa County Chieftain
Dr. Jereld Rice is not a quitter.
After finishing dead last in the gru-
eling 2018 Eagle Cap Extreme 200-
mile race, Rice changed tactics and
won this year’s 100-mile event. Only a
second year musher, he beat a field of
eight experienced mushers with a time
of 18 hours, 20 minutes. “It was a real
race,” he said. Second place winner
David Hassilev of Priest River, Idaho
was only six minutes behind Rice,
with third-place finisher Roy Etnire
of Seeley Lake, Montana another 20
minutes behind.
See Race, Page A16
Ellen Morris Bishop/Chieftain
Spencer Bruggeman wins the Eagle Cap Extreme 200 mile race as a Oregon Field
Guide camera captures the action. Bruggeman’s father, Brett Bruggeman, finished
two minutes behind him.
Awards banquet brings community leaders together
By Steve Tool
Wallowa County Chieftain
The Wallowa County
Chamber Citizens Awards
Banquet proved the usual suc-
cess this year with citizens
providing nearly wall-to-wall
coverage of Clover Leaf Hall.
The annual event celebrates
the selfless works of citizens
who have given of themselves
to make Wallowa County a
unique and caring place. Res-
idents filled 30 tables and ate
prime rib, chicken or a vegan
plate provided by Heirloom
Catering while staff from La
Laguna restaurant manned the
no-host bar.
Along with the President’s
and Past President’s award,
nine citizens were chosen
for their service in such var-
ied categories as Business
Leader Award, Leader in Nat-
ural Resources award to the
Unsung Hero award.
The event took place on the
evening of Jan. 26, and “Once
Upon A Time.” served as the
event theme. President Jes-
sie Cunningham of the Rockin
J Ranch served as the Emcee
and is also the chamber’s
president.
When it came to the Pres-
ident’s Award, sponsored by
the chamber, Cunningham
chose Joseph Charter School
Family and Marla Dotson,
who teaches consumer studies
and is an adviser for the Fam-
ily, Career and Community
See Banquet, Page A5
Steve Tool/Chieftain
Happiness is a warm quilt! — Hope McLaughlin (center), Wallowa County citizen
and Unsung Hero Award winner at the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce
Citizen Awards Banquet shows off a gift from the Wallowa Mountain Quilters
Guild of which she is a member. Fellow member, Linda Koloski, who nominated
McLaughlin for the award, stands just to her left.
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