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8 AUGUST 15, 2002 SMOKE SIGNALS
Elders' Honor Day Draws 300 and Plenty of Wows
Largest ever event leaves guests with plenty of memories.
By Ron Karten
Almost 300 Elders many from
across Oregon, from Idaho and
Washington traveled to Grand
Ronde at the end of July to join the
festivities for the Tribe's annual
Elders' Honor Day.
"We kept everything really
simple," said Louise Medeiros, Chair
of the Elders' Committee.
Members of the VFW presented
the colors with cultural drums. The
Royalty princesses did the Lord's
Prayer in sign language. All had a
great spaghetti lunch before an af
ternoon of bingo with donated
prizes and crafts work. A "happy
hour" was non-alcoholic but attired
in the Hawaiian theme on a back
ground of dinner music.
"It was wonderful," said Medeiros,
who was chair of the committee for
the first time this year.
Eldest Elder awards went to Nora
Kimsey, 94, and Leonard Vivette,
89. Kimsey received a hand-made
pine needle basket, and Vivette a
bone ceremonial necklace, both
gifts of the Cultural department.
Breakfast the next morning was
a big surprise for Penny DeLoe in
the kitchen, who was expecting 50
and had to quickly whip up food for
120. Fortunately, she had the help
of her daughter and her two friends
who came down from a chefs school
in Washington to help prepare the
meals. "Everybody is still raving
about it," said Medeiros. "It was
fancy but stayed within the limits
of what Elders like to eat. We thor
oughly enjoyed every bite." And
the best part, Medeiros said, is that
"they're going to do our Christmas
party, too."
The event planning starts in Sep
tember each year. Medeiros at
tributes the giant turnout to the
popular Hawaiian theme. "Next
year we're going to have to do it at
the gym. We've outgrown the com
munity center," she said.
Tribes represented included
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Dorothy Greene
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Tribal Elders, Guests and Friends get Hawaiian
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Elder Honor
Day 2002
Photos by Peta Tinda
It's Their Day The Theme of this year's Elders' Honor Day was Hawaiian.
On Friday, July 26 Tribal Elders came from all over the northwest to participate in
this year's celebration. Tribal Elder Kathryn Harrison shows off her new Macy's of
New York bag (above) while Elder Joe Vicenzi gives Danielle Sundahl a ride on his
motorized cart.
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Grand Ronde, Siletz, Umatilla,
Burns Paiute, Lower Umpqua and
Siuslaw, Snohomish, Coquille, Cow
Creek and Warm Springs.
Medeiros had nothing but praise
for the four volunteers, Jill Bran
don, Brianna Leno, Bonnie Tom,
and Pearl Mekemson, who worked
all the way through. And she gave
special thanks to Tribal Council
member Val Grout "who worked in
the kitchen and doing whatever
needed to be done."
Even more than the gifts, said
Medeiros, "we gave of ourselves this
year. We wanted to give them
memories, and that's what they
went away with. It was festive and
everybody was happy, and that's
what we gave them this year." B
Singer Tony Orlando Brings His Show To Grand Ronde
70s superstar still has what it takes to entertain.
By Peta Tinda
International singing superstar
Tony Orlando recently charmed the
crowd at Spirit Mountain Casino,
often going into the audience and
singing as well as bring audience
members up on stage. Orlando,
who has five Billboard number one
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He Still Got It - 70s superstar
Tony Orlando now performs regularly
in Branson, Missouri at the Osmond
Family Theater.
hits and a star on the Hollywood
Walk of Fame, was in Grande
Ronde in late June and performed
for an enthusiastic crowd.
Best known for his hits, "Tie a
Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak
Tree," "Candida," and his 1971 hit
"Knock Three Times," Orlando is
one of America's best known and
most loved performers.
And perform he did, to the delight
of the crowd, who responded with
applause and standing ovations.
Orlando has been the recipient of
three American Music Awards and
a people's choice award. He moved
to Branson, Missouri in 1993 and
has performed more than 2,000
shows at the Osmond Family The
ater. B
Photos by Peta Tinda
- -i . - s
Sweet Kiss Tony Orlando gets a kiss from Dora
Wilson of Port Angeles, Washington while posing for a photo
with Karen Ksionk, Sharon Grout and Tribal Council mem
ber Val Grout after his show at Spirit Mountain Casino.
Just Hanging Out Orlando spent some time after his
performance in Grand Ronde just hanging out with the locals like
Tribal members Jeff Mercier (left), Travis Stewart (center) and
Manny Mercier (right).