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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (April 21, 2021)
A8 LOCAL Wallowa County Chieftain Wednesday, April 21, 2021 ‘Normal’ returns to Wallowa Lake State Park Popular area taking reservations for May 1 season By BILL BRADSHAW Wallowa County Chieftain WALLOWA LAKE — Things are getting back a bit more to normal this year, now that state parks are beginning to reopen — including Wallowa Lake State Park, which began taking reservations Thurs- day, April 15, for the group campsites that open May 1. According to a press release from the Ore- gon Parks and Recreation Department, some state parks were to begin tak- ing reservations April 15. A complete list of which ones are opening is available at the OPRD website at www. oregon.gov/oprd/Pages/ index.aspx. Mac Freeborn, man- ager at Wallowa Lake State Park, said Wednesday, April 14, that a few camp- ers already were at the park. But they were the ones who could do without park-pro- vided water, which won’t be turned on until May 1. “My park has been tak- ing reservations for a while now,” he said. “The ones opening May 1 are group campsites.” The park’s website bills it as being “ideally positioned as a base camp for both wil- Get All Your Needs Met! Heating & Cooling Bulk Fuel & Propane Propane stoves & heat for home/office Expertly installed heating systems Even distribution of heat Bulk farm fuel Residential propane heating fuel Bulk diesel, gas & propane Air conditioning units to keep your home/office comfortable in summer One Call Does It All! Equipment Sales, Installation & Service Call Wallowa County Grain Growers Today! 541-426-3116 Heating/cooling: x 1201 Bulk fuel/propane: x 1235 WALLOWA COUNTY GRAIN GROWERS A farmer-owned coop serving the people of Wallowa County since 1944 911 South River St Enterprise, Oregon 541-426-3116 M-F 8AM-5:30PM • SAT 8AM-5PM • SUN 9AM-3PM Bill Bradshaw/Wallowa County Chieftain Campers are already moving into Wallowa Lake State Park on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. The park was set to begin taking reservations the next day for the season that opens May 1. derness treks and water sports fun.” He said those there now are ones who take advan- tage of the park’s opening throughout the off season. “We had a recent request for more reservations … and we’re accepting walk-ins,” he said. Last year, the park was forced to be closed until June 5 by the closures asso- ciated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The group facil- ities are reopening after being closed for more than a year due to revenue short- falls and reduced staffi ng associated with COVID-19. “Summer is quickly approaching, and we want to give visitors plenty of time to plan their group events,” said Jason Resch, commu- nications manager for the OPRD. “Although we can’t open all group areas in all parks and the lower group limits isn’t what we are used to, we ask for your patience as we move forward.” But now it’s returning to closer to normal. “As normal as it can be,” he said. “We’re back on track for bringing back sea- sonals in hiring. … Nor- mal is a subjective term, but we’re going to be back for full operation this summer.” He said the docks won’t go back into the water until around May 1. “We start really ramp- ing up things in early May,” Freeborn said. But campsite reserva- tions are already nearly fully booked. “If people are not fi nding anything online, it’s because we’re already booked. It’s been fast and furious with reservations,” Freeborn said. He said that’s probably a combination of people miss- ing last year’s camping sea- son and an eagerness to rec- reate outdoors where they’re not cooped up in a hotel or the like. He said that if recreation- ists fi nd they can’t rent day- use areas, they can look into getting a special-use permit. Day-use areas consist of two reservable picnic sites and one reservable covered shel- Windfall of cash awarded to Winding Waters Clinic receives more than $1.2 million through American Rescue Plan funds By RONALD BOND Wallowa County Chieftain ENTERPRISE — The American Rescue Plan signed last month by Presi- dent Biden provided a major fi nancial boost for commu- nity health centers. Winding Waters Medical Clinic was among those who received help. More than $84 million was allocated to health cen- ters in Oregon through the ARP, Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley’s offi ce announced last month, with Winding Waters receiving more than $1.2 million. Nic Powers, CEO of Winding Waters, said he was aware of the money set apart for health centers in the $1.9 trillion bill, and expected Winding Waters would be able to apply for a grant. “I absolutely was shocked by the amount,” he said of the $1,210,625 awarded to WWMC. “It was unexpected.” The money was dispersed to 30 centers in Oregon, with dollar amounts ranging from about $671,000 to nearly $11 million. The money, which will be available once WWMC budgets the funds approved by the Bureau of Primary Health Care, is a one-time, two-year award. “Over the next two years, this one-time funding will go toward our COVID response eff orts, staff devel- opment and the tools, equip- ment and spaces we need,” Powers said. He noted that part of the use for the money will be expansion of services in Joseph and Wallowa, but the uses can be varied, and are more than just COVID response. “Certainly as a health care provider working through a pandemic, we’ve LIZ ROWLEY OF THE a fast z Rowley got off to lping Li y’s lle Va a w lo al W ftball season, he start on the 2021 so first three games last its her team win two of tted .385 with two home ba y le ns week. Row nine RBIs and six ru runs, two doubles, r this week’s honor of scored earning he Athlete of the Week! udly Pro onsore d b y p S SAVE THE DATE been under a lot of stress and strain, just like everybody, we continue to adapt,” Pow- ers said. “Here in Wallowa County, we have done well. Ourselves and our partners have done a lot better than in other places.” Community needs, Pow- ers said, will be heavily in mind as staff and the volun- teer board of directors for- mulates a budget, which it has to turn in by May 31 — 60 days after WWMC was made aware of the award. That includes “what is needed out there (in the community), and how do we do things that are promot- ing our partnerships across the community. We don’t want to duplicate services,” with other providers, Powers said. “We are working hard to have a thoughtful process, and we have a deadline.” The situation is unique, he said, in that the money has been awarded, but the budget needs to be provided before it can be used. “We certainly don’t have it in the bank,” he said. “I can see it in our federal grant management system. I can see it’s there, and once our budget is approved we can start spending the funds.” Powers said that with the money, the clinic needs “to do things that invest in our community.” “It’s a lot that’s coming rather quickly and a little bit out of the blue. We are work- ing hard to budget wisely,” he said. “(The mindset is) both recover from the pan- demic and make sure we are here for the long term.” Pastor Archie Hook April 23rd 5:00 - 7:00 pm You came to us five years ago as our lay pastor, when we were struggling. You brought us back together in unity, bringing hope, deepening our faith, and strengthening our church family. Most importantly, you helped us all grow spiritually by learning to get past ourselves. DIY NIGHT Installation Demonstrations on Easy Lay Xtra Large Flooring SAVE ON: ter named Ice Creek. Boat reservations and informa- tion are available at www. wallowalakemarina.com. He said the park — and all Oregon parks — are still closely adhering to COVID- 19 guidelines set by the fed- eral Center for Disease Con- trol and Prevention and the Oregon Health Authority. Those, he said, can be sub- ject to change. Available at the park are: • 121 hookup sites (including two ADA sites). • 88 nonhookup sites. • Two hard-sided rustic yurts. • Three group tent areas. • A hiker-biker area. Site-specifi c alerts and information can be found by clicking on the site name then scrolling to the bot- tom of the Reserve America website page. Freeborn said those inter- ested in trying for a reserva- tion can still try to get one at 541-432-4185, ext. 26. Res- ervations must be made one day ahead of arrival and can be made up to six months in advance. “We booked out pretty fast,” he said. HARDWOOD - LUXURY VINYL TILE CARPET - TILE AND MORE! We wish you and Vicqui the best in your new role at La Grande Christian Church Join Us! Sunday, April 25, Pastor Archie’s Last Sunday 9:30 am Last Bible Study 11:00 am Last Worship Reception with Cake and Coffee after (noon) All are welcome to attend the worship service, or to stop by for cake and coffee immediately following – you do not have to be a member of the church . Covid guidelines followed Enterprise Community 800 S. River Enterprise, OR | 541-426-9228 | www.carpetone.com Congregational Church “The Big Brown Church” 301 NE First St. Enterprise For more information, find us on Facebook or call 541-426-3044