NEWS
Wallowa.com
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Ellen Morris Bishop
Shake the Lake has put on a great fireworks display, but needs more than $6000 in contributions
to continue next year.
Fireworks: Will the ‘shew’ go on?
Continued from Page A1
we want to put on a mem-
orable show. The cham-
ber decided to offer the best
program we could possibly
deliver.”
Shake the Lake benefits
most of the communities in
Wallowa County, includ-
ing restaurants, lodging,
and even gasoline sales in
Wallowa Lake, Joseph, and
Enterprise, Searles noted. “If
we eliminate our fireworks,
other communities that have
fireworks—La Grande, and
Pendleton especially—will
lure the 4th of July visi-
tors,” she said. “But Shake
the Lake is not so much for
visitors as it is for us—it’s
an event for the families of
Wallowa County.”
Searles is hoping that
individuals
and
busi-
nesses will step up soon to
help ensure that Shake the
Lake will continue into the
future. Fourth of July fire-
works have a long tradition.
The very first 4th of July
fireworks was in Philade-
phia in 1777 — before the
fledgling republic had any
independence to celebrate.
And on July 3, 1776, John
Adams wrote to his wife,
Abigail: “This day in July
will be the most memora-
ble Epocha in the history of
America. I am apt to believe
that it will be celebrated by
succeeding generations as
the great anniversary festi-
val. It ought to be commem-
orated as the day of deliv-
erance by solemn acts of
devotion to God Almighty;
it ought to be solemnized
with pomp and parade, with
shews, games, sports, guns,
bells, bonfires, and illumi-
nations from one end of this
continent to the other, from
this time forward forever
more.”
But with Shake the Lake
on shaky ground, it remains
to be seen whether our
“shew” as Adams wrote,
will go on.
THREE THINGS TO DO ON THE FOURTH
The Fourth of July is a time for barbecues and fireworks.
Here are three events in Wallowa County that can enrich
your family holiday.
1. Wallowa Fourth of July Parade, 11 a.m. Not too many
parades mark the Fourth of July any more. Wallowa’s parade
is a tradition there. The parade starts at 11 a.m. near the
High School and Wallowa History Center on the west side
of town and proceeds to the City Center. Bands, cheering,
horses, and history. Fire trucks. Flags. There’s a barbecue
right after the parade.
2. Courthouse Concert, Enterprise: 5:30. The Music Alliance
presents a free concert every Thursday at the gazebo on the
northeast side of the County Courthouse in Enterprise. This
Thursday’s concert just happens to also be a Fourth of July
Concert. Free music by Joey Carper/Elwood.
3. Shake the Lake, about 9 p.m. The classical climax to a
perfect Fourth of July. Epic fireworks display begins about
9 p.m. at the County Park at the north end of Wallowa Lake.
Get there early for the best seats (actually you have to bring
your own chairs). Enjoy what is forecast to be a perfect
summer evening outside with friends.
STAY SAFE ON THE FOURTH OF JULY
Fireworks ignite an average
of 18,500 fires and cause
thousands of injuries each
year, according to the Nation-
al Fire Protection Association.
flammable—dry grass,
shrubs, trees or build-
ings--anyplace that fireworks’
hot materials may burn or
fall.
Here are some com-
mon-sense rules for safety
from the National Safety
Council and Prevention
Magazine.
• Keep buckets of water and a
live hose handy to douse any
fire that may start.
• Keep pets inside and in a
place where they feel safe.
Many dogs react to the
explosive sounds of fireworks
with almost mortal fear.
Provide a safe place for them.
Better yet, consider the fear
you may instill in your pets,
and those of neighbors, as
well as wildlife, and just go to
Shake the Lake.
• Don’t let young children
handle fireworks, including
sparklers.
• Wear safety glasses.
• Don’t light a firework in your
hand.
• Clear the area where you
are going to ignite fireworks.
There should be nothing
• Stay away from/don’t use
M-class fireworks, including
M-80s and M-100s. They are
dangerous, unpredictable
and powerful. They are also
illegal.
Monday, July 8-7:30 FREE
Welcome - Shannon McNerney
Opening Address - Luis Alberto Urrea
Tuesday, July 9 -7:30pm FREE
Faculty Readings - Sharma Shields, Beth Piatote,
Scott Russell Sanders
Wednesday, July 10 - 7:30pm FREE
Faculty Readings - Perrin Kerns, Kim Stafford, MOsley WOtta
• Never re-light a “dud”
firework. Sometimes the fuse
on a firework may be slower
than you expect. If you go
back to “relight it” you may
arrive just as it goes off—at a
very close range.
Thursday, July 11 - 7:30pm FREE
• When you are done, douse
all fireworks devices with
water, and as a precaution,
wash down the area where
you’ve been setting off the
fireworks. This will help avoid
late-night surprises, trash
fires, and unwanted visits
from your local fire depart-
ment volunteers.
Friday, July 12 - 7:30pm Tickets $25*
Litch: Overhaul project moves forward
Faculty Readings - Anis Mojgani, Laura Pritchett,
Gary Ferguson
Keynote Address - Molly Gloss
Faculty Reading - Jamie Ford
Saturday, July 13 - 7:30pm Tickets $25*
Screening of the award-winning documentary,
Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin
Panel Discussion: Dreams and Tales: Remembering Ursula
with Molly Gloss, Luis Alberto Urrea, and Scott Russell Sanders
Continued from Page A1
move them.” When the sec-
ond story was constructed
in 1909, skylights admitted
lots of daylight to the inte-
rior of the Litch Building’s
upper story. McKee plans to
restore them. Their presence
is clearly outlined by the
pattern of joists and beams
where there once were plas-
ter ceilings.
McKee sees the popula-
tion of downtown by pro-
fessionals as an essential
step towards a revitalized
community. His upstairs
apartments will be ener-
gy-efficient and thoroughly
modern. For the businesses
downstairs he is in negotia-
tions with a Council, Idaho
restaurant that special-
izes in in-expensive burg-
ers, and who would like
to open a second restau-
rant in Enterprise. “It’s hard
to find a burger here for
under $12.00,” he said. A
pizza place could, perhaps
fill another space. For the
larger, marquee retail space
Ellen Morris Bishop
The sagging structure of the East side of the Litch Building
shows up as warped beams and ceilings.
with the front door squarely
at Main and River streets,
McKee is toying with the
idea of inviting proposals
from local and other busi-
nesses—especially restau-
rants. “If it seems like the
right idea,” he said, “maybe
we could work out a deal for
lower rent for the first year
or two so they can get there
feet under them, if they can
help manage the building or
provide other benefits.”
“If you have people living
here, and if we can develop a
thriving series of restaurants
and other businesses, Enter-
prise can regain its vibrant
character,” he said.
*Tickets available at Joseph Hardware and The Bookloft,
or reserve yours online at Fishtrap.org.
A9