Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 19, 2020)
A8 NEWS Wallowa County Chieftain Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Members, guests, and sponsors fl ock to annual Ducks Unlimited dinner By Ellen Morris Bishop Wallowa County Chieftain Ellen Morris Bishop Let there be light! Electrician apprentice Cole Grantz installs LED lights in the Chieftain offi ces on Monday. Wallowa County businesses amp up on energy savings By Ellen Morris Bishop Wallowa County Chieftain During February, Enterprise Electric has been busy installing new LED lighting in business offi ces and community buildings throughout Wal- lowa County. The program is funded by an Energy Trust grant that amounts to about $400,000. Installation of the energy-saving light- ing is free and covered by the grant. So far, 118 county businesses have been outfi tted with the new lights, which provide a more natural light, and are free from the buzz of the fl uorescent lights they replace. Installation, or rather changing out the old “bulbs” and ballasts is a quick process, requiring only a few minutes per tube. Journeyman elec- trician Jeffery Wecks, whose crew changed out the lights in the Chieftain on Monday said that so far they had installed exactly 11,768 LED replacements in the county, including in Cloverleaf Hall, Commu- nity Connections, Dollar Stretcher, Enterprise City Hall, Joseph City Hall, the Joseph fi re hall, U.S. For- est Service offi ces, and the Joseph Fly Shop and businesses in that mall. Later this week the crew will head for Wallowa to install the energy-effi - cient lighting in a number of businesses and public offi ces there. The always entertain- ing and productive Ducks Unlimited dinner and auc- tion Feb. 15 saw a record number of more than 100 conservation and waterfowl enthusiasts turn out for Diana Wortman’s Chuck Wagon Sisters fare that included Stangel’s bison as a popular menu item. The conserva- tion group boasted a total of 46 “Green Wings”—young- sters under age 18 who par- ticipated in drawings and the always fun duck-call contest, as well as the duck decoy painting event. In addi- tion some 15 sponsors who donated an extra $250 to the cause beyond the price of a dinner ticket attended the gala affair. The local Ducks Unlimited chapter also was recognized with a gold ban- ner by the national organi- zation for putting on an out- standing banquet event last year. Ducks Unlimited con- serves, restores, and man- ages wetlands and asso- ciated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also benefi t other Marge Bieraugel Sometimes the duck decoys take on a more fanciful appearance. This young Green Wing also sports a Lion King item that she chose from among the many prizes and free items for youngsters at the Ducks Unlimited dinner. Painting duck decoys to resemble actual species of wild ducks is a favorite activity for the younger set and their parents. wildlife and people. Ducks Unlimited’s con- servation programs have always had a strong biolog- ical foundation. That sci- ence and research tradition continues today with hun- dreds of studies to address While the organization’s conservation efforts have been limited in Wallowa County because this area is not part of a major fl yway, it does fund and support proj- ects elsewhere in the region, including Ladd Marsh. Marge Bieraugel the habitat needs of water- fowl. Although a great deal of work has been done and many important questions answered, there is still much to learn about how the birds respond to landscape, habitat and environmental changes. UMATILLA RIVER FLOODING Pendleton soldiers decorated for search and rescue By Alex Castle East Oregonian Clark Upton and his Troy Elementary School class prepare to bury the time capsule on Feb. 29, 2000 Troy to unearth time capsule on Leap Day, Feb. 29 By Ellen Morris Bishop Wallowa County Chieftain There’s a ticking time bomb buried near the Troy School. Well, actually it’s a time capsule, buried on Leap Day 2000 at the dawn of a new millennium, and planned for opening on Leap Day, twenty years later. So on Feb 29, for- mer Troy students, teach- ers, and their friends and admirers, will gather on the school grounds, unearth the capsule and reveal its contents. “I can’t really remem- ber what we put into it” said former Troy teacher Clark Upton, whose stu- dents carried out the proj- ect 20 years ago. “I think maybe there were some tapes, and maybe a book, and other things that we thought represented the dawn of the 21st cen- tury.” A year after burying the time capsule, Upton moved from Troy to Ohio and then to Virginia before going back to Hillsboro, OR. The plan is to retrieve and open the “Millennium Time Capsule” at noon on the 29th, exactly two decades after its interment. The opening ceremony will be followed by a chili and cornbread feast, and a lot of memories. “We (students and teachers) have been able to stay connected via social media, including a Troy School Group page on Facebook, and we plan on having most if not all of the students and parents present at the ceremony,” Upton said. “We are also inviting others in the com- munity to join us including past students and teach- ers who have a connection with the Troy School. Cur- rent Troy School teacher, Fred Byers and sev- eral members of the Troy School Board will be a part of the ceremony.” PENDLETON — National Guard soldiers from Pendleton’s 1st Bat- talion, 168th Aviation of the Oregon Army National Guard were on a standard training mission when the news fi rst broke of rising fl oodwaters along the Uma- tilla River last week. The crew were told to go recon in an area over the river when they witnessed the disaster that was unfold- ing on the ground. “Once you get up there and realize how much dev- astation and damage there was, you see that it’s pretty signifi cant,” Chief Warrant Offi cer 3 Ray Talkington said Friday. After seeing the devas- tation below, the crew went into rescue mode for the next four days as fl oodwaters left people stranded throughout Umatilla County. Between Feb. 6-9, three helicop- ters from the Oregon Army National Guard rescued 54 people, 10 dogs, one cat and one rabbit from fl oods. “These Oregon National Guard Members took part in the largest search and rescue operation in Ore- gon’s history,” said Stephen Bomar, director of public affairs with the Oregon Mil- itary Department. “They did an amazing job supporting the community and saving lives.” Gov. Kate Brown landed at the Pendleton National Guard Aviation Facil- ity on Friday morning and promptly presented Talking- ton, and six others based in Pendleton, the Oregon Meritorious Service Medal. Three others were also pre- sented with Oregon Com- mendation Medals. “It’s always nice to get a pat on the back,” Staff Sgt. Staff photo by Ben Lonergan Gov. Kate Brown shakes hands with Sgt. Marcus Hickman of Pendleton’s 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation of the Oregon Army National Guard after presenting him with the Oregon Meritorious Service Medal during a ceremony on Friday morning. Staff photo by Ben Lonergan Oregon Meritorious Service Medals, top row, and Oregon Commendation Medals are held by a member of the Oregon Army National Guard . Steven Kirkpatrick said. The meritorious medals are awarded to those who show outstanding individ- ual performance in support of the state of Oregon, while the commendation medals are awarded to those who provide an act or series of acts in support of the Oregon Army National Guard. Talkington’s perfor- mance during last week’s rescues wasn’t just for the state of Oregon, though, it was for the community he was raised in. “Being able to go out and help the community you live in is nice,” he said. “It’s very rewarding. That’s the part we look forward to, not the recognition of what we get doing these interviews or Conatact Elaine at 541-263-1189 Meet Jack & Todd! PAUL STANGEL Brought to you by, goes of the week honor This week’s athlete former Enterprise High e to Paul Stangel. Th regular fixture at Quinn School student is a e floor clean for Outlaws Court, keeping th gel never falters with Stan basketball games. smile for fans and players keeping a ready flawlessly performing alike while udly his duties. Pro onsore d b y OF THE Jack (left) and Todd (right) are 2 1/2 year old brothers. They both are neutered and get along well with cats, other dogs and older children. These boys are very friendly and have very loving personalities. Adoptions through the Wallowa County Humane Society will come with vet checks and current vaccinations. $ Sp Available for Adoption Call Kathy at 541-263-2423 $75 adoption fee, each http://www.wallowacountyhumanesociety.org/ 603 Medical Parkway, Enterprise 541-426-4502 getting these awards. Being able to go out and help peo- ple, that’s the important part.” Kirkpatrick, who also received a meritorious medal Friday and grew up in Pend- leton, was proud of how he and the rest of the crew were able to respond when they were needed most. “You always want to be there, and that’s what we’re here for,” he said. “A life is a life. There’s not one better than the other.” Though successful, the rescue missions weren’t easy. A combination of windy weather, trees, wires and the waters constantly encroaching on any viable landing spots for the crew’s helicopter made Talking- ton’s job as pilot even more challenging. “That was the hardest part, to actually fi nd some- where to land,” Talkington said. “It’s not the smallest helicopter in the world.” Ask about our IMPROVED Financial Assistance Program Winding Waters is committed to high- quality Medical, Dental and Behavioral Health care for all patients. With our IMPROVED Financial Assistance Program, you may qualify for free or discounted care, even if you have health insurance.