Polk County News
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • May 25, 2016 7A
Falls City Third of July festival called off School:
Lack of volunteers, donations means 20-year-old Independence Day tradition takes a break
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
FALLS CITY — July 3, the
day Falls City has tradition-
ally celebrated Independ-
ence Day, may not be as fes-
tive this year.
At least one part of the
town’s celebration has been
canceled already.
“The fireworks will not be
happening this year,” said
Councilor Jenn Drill at a re-
cent Falls City City Council
meeting. “The fire depart-
ment, Chief (Bob) Young,
has decided that they will
not be taking place this year
here in Falls City. Maybe
next year, but that is not a
done deal.”
The fire department has
struggled in recent years to
cover the cost of putting on
the show as donations have
dropped off and prices have
increased.
Young said that was the
deciding factor in the deci-
sion to cancel this year’s
show.
“The biggest problem is it
is going to cost us close to
JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer file
Falls City annual Third of July celebrations have been called off this year for lack of
volunteers and donations. The Falls City Fire Department cannot fund the fireworks.
$11,000 to $12,000,” Young
said, noting that would pay
for the show, insurance and
security. “We are down to
$6,000 in our savings. We
couldn’t even pay for this
year’s show.”
Young said the choice
was between keeping the
fireworks tradition going
and completing necessary
training and dealing with an
increased call load.
“There are lots of issues,
and this isn’t fitting in any-
more,” he said. “It’s nobody’s
fault, and it was mainly a fi-
nancial decision. We just can’t
afford it anymore.”
Young said he hasn’t
ruled out the show coming
back, but that would require
stronger support from the
community.
In the last few years, do-
nations haven’t topped
$3,000.
“I wish we could’ve kept it
going,” Young said. “We’ve
been doing it for 20 years.
It’s a great show.”
Falls City Mayor Terry
Ungricht said no one has
stepped forward to take
over other parts of the cele-
bration, the parade and
hometown carnival that
takes place earlier in the day
leading up to the fireworks
show.
While it’s not impossible
to put on a festival at the
last minute — it was done
last year — he said planning
would be difficult.
Ungricht added with the
city staff being so short-
handed, the city needs an-
other person or organiza-
tion to take over.
Sept. is
the goal
Continued from Page 16A
“It’s the law,” she said. “We
have to do certain things. I
get it, but it doesn’t make it
any less frustrating, though.”
Last week, at Ainsworth’s
suggestion, school board m -
embers met with its engi-
neers, and county public
works, building, community
development departments to
sort out the remaining issues.
Christensen said the meet-
ing was a good step forward.
The new plot plan, the
fourth, will be completed
this week, and Christensen
wants to schedule another
group meeting to have every-
one sign off.
He wants to have the site
ready to open the school’s
10th year in its new home.
Wollenweber said that
goal is realistic only if the
county signs off on plans
soon.
“If they don’t approve the
plans in the next week, there
won’t be enough time,” she
said.
MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS
Volunteers set up Avenue of Flags in Dallas Cemetery.
morial on the Grand Ronde Tribal Campus, 9615 Grand
Ronde Road, between highways 18 and 22, west of Spirit
Mountain Casino.
Purple Heart recipient U.S. Army Sgt. Joel Dulashanti will
be the keynote speaker at this year’s ceremony.
The West Valley Veterans Memorial features four black
columns representing the major branches of the Armed
Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.
The names of tribal and nontribal residents from the West
Valley area communities of Sheridan, Willamina and Grand
Ronde who have served in the military are etched into the
columns each year.
This year, 11 new names will be added — including two
World War I veterans — and those veterans will be honored
on Memorial Day. The 2015 additions will bring the total
number of names to 2,325.
For more information: 971-241-3313.
Kathleen Disney, assistant director of vocational services
for Goodwill and a former naval aviator, will provide the
tribute to pilots.
The Civil Air Patrol Cadets will place the Pilot Memorial
Wreath, provided by Oregon Pines Chapter 99’s.
Congressman Kurt Shrader, Deputy Cmdr. Paul Gilman
and Civil Air Patrol Cadets will present flags to survivors.
Robert “Scooter” Reid IV will present Taps.
The event will close with a Missing Man Formation fly-
over performed by Dennis Krummel, flight leader, Scott Sav-
age, Denny Jackson and Gary Brown.
A picnic lunch offered by the Boy Scouts of America will
follow from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a suggested donation of
$5. Ice cream sandwiches will be available from Oregon
Pines Chapter 99’s.
From 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., aircraft will be on display.
Parking is at the Marquis Spa parking lot. Shuttle service is
provided.
GRAND RONDE
The 14th annual Grand Ronde Memorial Day observance
will start Monday at 1 p.m. at the West Valley Veterans Me-
MONMOUTH
Western Oregon University Veteran Success Center and
WOU Students Veterans of America will host a Memorial
Day Banquet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at Werner University Cen-
ter, 345 Monmouth Ave. N., Monmouth.
The groups are hosting a formal dinner to recognize the
sacrifice of those who served.
The three-course dinner will serve chicken bruschetta, a
potato side, salad and bread, and a dessert. Vegetarian op-
tions are available by request.
Each ticket comes with two drink tickets for either wine
from Redgate Vineyard or Ankeny Vineyard, or an American
Amber Ale from Rogue Ales & Spirits beer. Water and lemon-
ade also will be served.
Rep. Paul Evans is the guest speaker for the evening. There
will be a ceremony for both the colors and a remembrance
of the fallen. Western Oregon University jazz band students
will perform. Taps will play to conclude the ceremony. Tick-
ets will be $5 and can be purchased in the Veteran Success
Center on campus.
RSVPs are required. Contact Andrew Holbert @ Holber-
ta@wou.edu or 502-838-9246.
Itemizer-Observer staff report
Polk County will celebrate Memorial Day with a number of
events Monday. Community members are welcome to attend
any of the ceremonies scheduled in honor of Memorial Day.
DALLAS
Dallas American Legion Post No. 20 and American Legion
Auxiliary Unit No. 20 hosts the “Avenue of Flags” ceremony
at Dallas Cemetery, 2065 Fairview Ave., at 11 a.m. on Mon-
day. About 700 flags will line the corridors of the cemetery in
honor of those who served.
The guest speaker for the event is House District 20 Rep.
Paul Evans. Dallas Mayor Brian Dalton will provide a wel-
come speech and American Legion Post No. 20 Dave Chris-
tian will read the list of the fallen added this year.
Dennis Johnson, the event coordinator, said it’s tentative
and weather-dependent, but a fly-over is scheduled to take
place during the Avenue of Flag ceremony.
Boy Scout Troop 228 will raise the flag, and the Dallas High
School choir will perform “America the Beautiful.” American
Legion Auxiliary Unit chaplain will give the invocation and
American Legion Post chaplain will offer the benediction.
“It’s going to be about an hour-long program,” Johnson said.
More volunteers are needed to help post the flags at the
cemetery on Thursday, starting at 9:30 a.m.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Johnson at
503-623-3727 or email: drdblj@q.com.
INDEPENDENCE
The 23rd annual Memorial Day Aviator Memorial Tribute
will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday at the Independ-
ence State Airport, 4905 Airport Road, Independence.
The tribute honors aviators who have taken their last flight.
The event begins with a fly-over. House District 20 Rep.
Paul Evans will provide a quick welcome.
Boy Scout Troop 38 will lower the flags to half-staff and
later will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Steven Springer will
sing the national anthem.
Invocation will be by Rev. Michael Parks from First Baptist
Church. Matthew Mass, state airports manager, will speak.
JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer file
We wish to thank our following sponsors
Premier:
Passport:
• Blackbird Indica • Cascade Collections
• Oregon State Credit Union
Thank you to the following businesses and
organizations who participated:
• Arena Sports Bar & Grill • Central Martial Arts • Firesteed
• House of Mia Bella • Monmouth Independence Family YMCA
• Monmouth-Independence Rotary Club • Redgate Vineyard
• The Three Legged Dog • Airlie Winery • Crush Wine Bar
• Farmers Insurance Nathan Moore Agency • Fashion Sense • FCR
• Fee Mail Depot • Goodwill Industries/Job Connection • Haugen's Galleri
• Main Street Ice Cream Parlor • Main Street Pub & Eatery • Petals & Vines
• Rick's Place Coffeehouse • Rogue Farms • The Gym Bar & Grill
• The Salvation Army • Windermere WVP • Costume Kreations