A2
Wallowa County Chieftain
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Another fi ber
optic cable guy
comes to town
Wallowa County Chieftain
Those white trucks with the fl ashers, and guys work-
ing on phone poles and electric lines along Enterprise’s
streets lately aren’t there to fi x anything. They are
installing fi ber optic cables that will carry internet ser-
vice, cable TV, and probably phone service to homes and
businesses in most Wallowa County communities: Wal-
lowa Lake, Joseph, Enterprise, Lostine, and Wallowa.
The company, Crystal Broadband, is based in Kentucky.
James Campbell, who manages the crew installing the
fi ber optics here, said they have recently provided ser-
vice to other rural Oregon communities, including
Drain, Yoncalla, and communities in the southern end
of the Willamette Valley. Their service here is linked to
antennas atop the north end of Ruby Peak. It will be
several months, at least, before Crystal Broadband will
offer service in the fi ve Wallowa County communities,
however, as the lines that Campbell’s crew has hung
still need work, including splicing, to make them fully
functional.
Richard (Poppy) Thies
Apr 22, 1924 - Sept 13, 2019
Richard Thies passed away on
September 13, 2019, at Providence
St. Vincent Hospital in Portland,
Oregon, with family at his side.
He was 95.
Richard was born on April 22, 1924,
in Spring Valley, Arkansas, to Amil
and Pearl May Thies. He was the
youngest of eight boys in a fam-
ily of twelve children. His family
moved to Cottage Grove, Oregon,
when he was two years old where
he attended school and worked in
his father’s mechanic shop.
During his sophomore year in high school, Vangie Condos
moved to Cottage Grove, and she soon became the love of
his life. They were married on August 15, 1942, and moved
to Paulina, Oregon, where Richard was a ranch hand on
a cattle ranch until he was drafted in 1943. He served as
a private first class in the Ninth Army landing in Scotland,
and from 1943 to 1945, his division moved throughout the
European Theater through England, then to France, Belgium,
Holland, and Germany until he was honorably discharged at
the end of World War II.
Upon his return, he and Vangie resided in Cottage Grove
where they raised three children, Harold, Cheron, and Ron.
Richard worked as a mechanic as well as being a logger with
his brother, Raymond. Eventually he opened Thies Richfield
Service Station on Highway 99. Besides his busy life as a
mechanic, Richard sponsored and built race cars for drivers
Vern Coop and Bob Hamilton, so Saturday nights during the
summer were spent at the Cottage Grove Speedway where
Thies cars won many trophies. He still made time for other
recreation and enjoyed golfing and bowling. Richard would
later continue his bowling activities with the Joseph Fire
Department team after the move to Enterprise.
Richard and Vangie often traveled to the Wallowa Mountains
to hunt for deer and elk and just to have fun. Such wonder-
ful occasions caused them to decide to move to Enterprise.
So, during a 1972 New Year’s Day snowstorm, they moved to
Enterprise. Richard bought the ARCO service station on River
Street which he and his sons operated from 1972 to 1978.
He was forced to close the station when the infamous
gas shortage shut down the bulk gas plants that were his
suppliers. Richard then went to work for Moffit Ford as shop
foreman until 1983. Part of his job was to maintain and trans-
port Milo Moffit’s “Western Fleet” vehicles in Arizona; a task
in which Vangie participated and they enjoyed together...
especially the beautiful scenery of Arizona.
In 1981, their son, Ron, opened Thies Shell Station; two years
later, in 1983 Richard partnered with him and worked there
until 1986 when he retired - on the very day of his 62nd
birthday. He then set out to prove,in “Richard fashion,” that
he and Vangie could live on social security.
After his retirement he and Vangie fully enjoyed their avoca-
tions. Together, they demonstrated their artisan talents and
made a host of delightful wooden gifts for friends and family.
Richard cut them out, and Vangie brought them to life with
her painting talent. They loved hunting season, both for the
hunting themselves and for the hunters who came to enjoy
their immeasurable hospitality. They traveled to other states
to see the sights often accompanied by their grandsons, Rick
and Rock. They also journeyed afar to Belgium and Greece
on two occasions, to visit Vangie’s Greek relatives.
Richard loved the outdoors, especially fishing in the ocean,
rivers, lakes, ponds, ditches, and on Ron Jett’s dock on
Wallowa Lake....with his children, grandchildren, or friends,
and often by himself. He made many trips each summer to
Ron’s camp and his beloved wooded wilderness, driving his
old Toyota pickup and bringing back 1⁄2 cords of firewood to
stack by his fence for the winter.
He was a man of varied interests and frequently attend-
ed musical plays at the historic Elgin Opera House in Elgin,
Oregon, and numerous country western performances at
the, also historic, OK Theater in Enterprise.
“Poppy” was a unique, greatly loved, and highly respect-
ed patriarch of his family. He will be missed by his family,
as well as by his friends and acquaintances. His “mark” may
be best described in the Nat King Cole song from his era –
“Unforgettable.”
Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years,
Vangie; his parents, Amil and Pearl May; his brothers, Ralph,
Paul, Lawrence, Floyd, Raymond, Byron, and Donald; and his
sisters, Gladys, Martha, and Elva. He is survived by his sister,
Rose Mary Hibbard of Cottage Grove; two sons, Harold Thies
(Paula) of Central Point, Oregon, and Ron Thies (Leslie) of
Enterprise, Oregon; his daughter, Cheron Taylor (Tony)
of Junction City, Oregon; six grandchildren, Alicia Eilenberg-
er Nyssa Thies, Trina Corno, Jeff Taylor, Rick Thies, and Rock
Thies; thirteen great-grandchildren, Tyler, Marissa, Ashley,
Autumn, Ashton, Aiden, Taylor, Jack, Carter, Adiana, Milly,
Alesha, and Flynn; one great, great grandson, Karter; and
numerous nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service was held by his family at
Wallowa Cemetery in Wallowa, Oregon, on September 21,
2019. A military service will be held next spring, March 21,
2020, at 11 a.m. at Wallowa Cemetery to be followed by a
celebration of life for Richard and Vangie at 1 p.m. at the VFW
hall in Enterprise. In Poppy’s memory, please live your day to
the fullest.
Ellen Morris Bishop
Cable guy: William Godwin looks for the starting end on a new roll of the fi ber optic cable that he is stringing through
Enterprise. The project, by Crystal Broadband, will bring cable TV and broadband internet to residents of Wallowa Lake,
Joseph, Enterprise, Lostine, and Wallowa.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10
World Mental Health Day
KICKBOXING
FITNESS
CLASS: 5:15 a.m. The Vault in
Enterprise. Hurricane Point
Fitness. No experience nec-
essary. Certifi ed instructors.
541-398-2131.
PILATES IN WALLOWA:
9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wallowa
Senior Center. Sponsored by
Community Connection.
LIBRARY STORY TIMES:
10:30 a.m. Enterprise City
Library. Parents and children
0-5. Circle time, story-time and
activity at the Library.
CCO 2.0 COMMUNITY
MEETING: Noon to 2 p.m. The
Place, Joseph. Join in discuss-
ing the future of healthcare
under the State of Oregon’s
next phase of coordinated
care, known as “CCO 2.0”.
Lunch provided. Target Audi-
ence: Oregon Health Plan
members, Community Advi-
sory Council members, com-
munity partners. For more
info, contact Troy Soenen,
EOCCO, at 541-298-2101 or
tsoenen@gobhi.org
ADULT CERAMICS CLASS:
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Josephy Cen-
ter. $20 includes materials.
WALLOWA COUNTY CHESS
CLUB: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jose-
phy Center, Joseph. Free. Tour-
ists and players of all levels are
welcome.
WALLOWA
MOUNTAIN
QUILTERS GUILD: 5:30 p.m.
Toma’s Conference Room,
Enterprise. Monthly meeting.
Visitors welcome.
who are interested in sight-
ing-in or just plinking their
rifl e or pistol. For more info,
call Doug at 541-398-8867.
WALLOWA COUNTY FARM-
ERS MARKET: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Next to Stein Distillery in
Joseph. Fresh local food, hand-
made arts & crafts, live music
and community.
ZUMBA GOLD: 9 a.m. 30
minute seated class; 9:30 a.m.
standing class. Enterprise
Senior Center. A fi tness class
for seniors that combines
Latin dance music with fi t-
ness moves. A doctor’s note
releasing you to participate
in Zumba Gold is required.
Call Becky McAuliff e for info at
541-263-0224.
LOWER VALLEY FARMERS
MARKET: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Held indoors, on Main Street,
across from Wallowa Food City
in Wallowa. Produce, eggs,
grass fed beef, handcrafted
items.
BOOST YOUR WORKOUT:
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vault Health
& Fitness Center, Enterprise.
Sponsored by Sei Mee Tea.
Learn the secrets to boost the
effi cacy of your workout. Fam-
ily-friendly recipe demo & tast-
ing & teas. For $20 advance
ticket, email info@GroundGre-
enTea.com.
LIVE SPANISH GUITAR CON-
CERT: 1 p.m. Stein’s Distillery in
Joseph. Derek Brown, a classi-
cal and fl amenco guitarist, will
be performing a set of Spanish
guitar favorites in an incredi-
ble acoustic space.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11
National Sausage Pizza Day
ZUMBA: 6:30 a.m. The
Place, Joseph. No experience
needed. Instructor: Tammi
Chapman.
WREN
(WALLOWA
RESOURCES
EXPLORING
NATURE): 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
5th-8th grade students learn
about Wallowa County natural
and cultural history through
hands-on and self-discovery
activities. Applications at Wal-
lowa Resources. Scholarships
available.
PARENT/CHILD
PLAY-
GROUP: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Building Healthy Families,
Enterprise. Songs, stories,
snacks and activities focusing
on developing kindergarten
readiness skills. For parents
and children 0-5.
FOOD
GIVEAWAY:
11:30 a.m. Wallowa Senior
Center in Wallowa, 11 a.m.
Enterprise Senior Center and
noon at The Place in Joseph.
Sponsored by Wallowa Fresh
Food Alliance. Perishable food
available.
LOWER VALLEY FARMERS
MARKET: Noon to 6 p.m. Held
indoors, on Main Street, across
from Wallowa Food City in
Wallowa. Produce, eggs, grass
fed beef, handcrafted items.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13
National Train Your Brain Day
LOWER VALLEY FARM-
ERS MARKET: 11:30 a.m. to
2:30 p.m. Held indoors, on
Main Street, across from Wal-
lowa Food City in Wallowa.
Produce, eggs, grass fed beef,
handcrafted items. WIC, SNAP,
Double Up Food Bucks & Veg-
gie Rx vouchers accepted.
BINGO: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
VFW Hall, Enterprise.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
National Farmer’s Day
ALL YOU CAN EAT PAN-
CAKE BREAKFAST: 7 a.m.
to 10 a.m. Hurricane Creek
Grange, 1 mile east of Joseph.
Pancakes, meat, eggs, biscuits
& gravy and beverages for $8.
EAGLE CAP SHOOTING
RANGE EVENT: 8 a.m. to noon.
Ant Flat Rd., Enterprise. The
range is open to non-mem-
bers under the supervision of
Range Safety Offi cers for folks
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14
National Be Bald
and Be Free Day
ZUMBA: 6:30 a.m. The
Place, Joseph. No experience
needed. Instructor: Tammi
Chapman.
KICKBOXING
FITNESS
CLASS: 6:15 p.m. Oddfellows
Hall in Enterprise. No expe-
rience necessary. Certifi ed
instructors. 541-398-2131.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15
National Grouch Day
FREE LEGAL CONSULTA-
TIONS: Starting at 9 a.m. Enter-
prise Senior Center. Free legal
advice for low income peo-
ple and senior citizens. Call
for appointment, 1-800-843-
1115, ext. 202.
QUILTING GROUP: 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m. Wallowa Senior Cen-
ter, 204 E. 2nd St., Wallowa.
Sponsored by Community
Connection.
WECARE CAREGIVERS SUP-
PORT GROUP: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Wallowa Memorial Hospital,
Enterprise.
ADULT CERAMICS CLASS:
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Josephy Cen-
ter. $20 includes materials.
GENTLE YOGA: 4:15 p.m. to
5:45 p.m. Ideal for beginners,
people with injuries, pregnant
women, new mothers or any-
one seeking a calming, ther-
SEE THE EXPANDED ONLINE CALENDAR AT
EASTERNOREGONEVENTS.COM
apeutic practice. The Place,
Joseph. Esther Petrocine.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16
National Boss’s Day
ZUMBA: 6:30 a.m. The
Place, Joseph. No experience
needed. Instructor: Tammi
Chapman.
LIBRARY STORY TIME:
10:30 a.m. Wallowa Public
Library. Circle time, story-time
and activity for parents and
children 0-5.
FOOD GIVEAWAY: 11:30 a.m.
Wallowa Senior Center in Wal-
lowa, 11 a.m. Enterprise Senior
Center and noon at The Place
in Joseph. Sponsored by Wal-
lowa Fresh Food Alliance. Per-
ishable food available.
ROTARY CLUB OF WAL-
LOWA COUNTY: Noon, St. Kath-
erine Catholic Church, 301 E.
Garfi eld St., Enterprise. Public
is invited.
VFW TACO NIGHT: 5 p.m. to
8 p.m. VFW Hall, Enterprise. $8.
KICKBOXING
FITNESS
CLASS: 6:15 p.m. Oddfellows
Hall in Enterprise. Hurricane
Point Fitness. No experience
necessary. Certifi ed instructors.
541-398-2131.
DEATH AND FUNERAL NOTICE
Dorothy Hinton
Nov. 1, 1939–Oct. 5, 2019
Street, Milton Freewater,
Oregon 97862. Interment
will follow at Milton-Free-
water Cemetery. Pub-
lic viewing will be held at
Munselle Rhodes Funeral
Home, 902 South Main,
Milton Freewater on Fri-
day, October 11, 2019 from
5-9 p.m.
Dorothy Faye (Hockett)
Hinton, who was born on
November 1, 1939, passed
away on October 5, 2019,
to join her beloved hus-
band Tom. Funeral ser-
vices are scheduled for Sat-
urday, October 12, 2019, at
10:00 a.m. at First Chris-
tian Church, 518 S. Main
BIRTHS
Silas Fletcher Nall
A son, Silas
Nall, was born
tember 3, 2019,
and Emily Nall
Fletcher
on Sep-
to Tyler
at their
home in Joseph. Grandpar-
ents are Marvin and Jenni-
fer Gibbs, Brian Isley, and
Larry and Sharon Nall.
ABOUT OBITUARIES
News obituaries are a free service of the Wallowa County Chieftain.
Obituaries are accepted from family members or a funeral home. No
handwritten obituaries will be accepted. Information submitted is
subject to editing. Obituaries that exceed 400 words will be referred
to the advertising department for paid memorials. Send obituaries
by email to editor@wallowa.com; fax to 541-426-3921 or mail to P.O.
Box 338, Enterprise, OR 97828. Deadline to submit an obituary is 10
a.m. Monday for publication the same week. Obituaries submitted
after deadline will be queued for publication in the next edition. Info:
541-426-4567.
Weather Forecast
Courtesy of Weather Underground • wunderground.com
High Low
Conditions
Oct. 10
39
18
Sunny
Oct. 11
49
23
Partly cloudy
Oct. 12
54
23
Partly cloudy
Oct. 13
49
28
Mostly cloudy
Oct. 14
51
31
Partly cloudy
Oct. 15
56
36
Partly cloudy
Oct. 16
56
36
Partly cloudy
Phases of the moon
Oct. 13
Oct. 21
Full Moon
Oct. 27
Last Quarter
New Moon
Nov. 4
1st Quarter
WALLOWA COUNTY SUNRISE & SUNSET OCT. 10–16
(from the U.S. Naval Observatory)
THUR
FRI
SAT
SUN
MON
TUES
WED
6:59
6:13
7:00
6:11
7:01
6:09
7:02
6:07
7:04
6:06
7:05
6:04
7:06
6:02