BUSINESS & AG LIFE
B2 — THE OBSERVER & BAKER CITY HERALD
CHAMBER
Continued from Page B1
directors comes with long
meetings, time commit-
ments and so many tasks
to add to your already-
full plate. But what else
is it? If the meetings and
the extra work were it, well,
trust me, I’d most likely be
the only one to show up for
Chamber board meetings.
The two cruxes of non-
profi t board service are
so diffi cult to describe
because they’re intangible.
It’s so diffi cult to describe
how this or that organiza-
tion is “making a diff er-
ence.” Serving on a board
is your opportunity to make
where you live, work and
play a better place. For you,
for your family, for your
friends, for your colleagues.
If you want to see more
food trucks or a food truck
pod — let’s go! We can
make it happen! How about
a “Taste of” event where
our restaurants can show off
their signature dishes and
experiment with new menu
possibilities — let’s make
it a reality! Maybe our little
corner of Northeastern
Oregon can lead the way for
the newest music festival or
mountain biking festival —
get at it! Volunteering for a
local nonprofi t organization
is your opportunity to truly
make a diff erence in and for
your community. If there’s
a project you’re interested
in, it’s your opportunity
to immerse yourself in it,
learn all aspects of it and
have true impact.
If changing the world —
your world — isn’t enough
of a reason … the people
are. Some of the most
important people in my life
have become so through
volunteering and collabo-
rating on board and non-
profi t organization proj-
ects. Volunteering may not
always result in fi nding
your future life partner,
though it might. Volun-
teering may not always
result in making your best
friends in the whole world,
but it might do that as well.
The question to ask your-
self is: Can you risk not vol-
unteering, when the stakes
are that high?
One of my biggest pet
peeves is hearing someone
say an organization or event
“should have done” this or
that. Don’t just tell someone
else your idea and expect
it to happen. Get out there
and make it happen. You’ve
heard the adage: If you
want something done …
No matter how the
change happens, if you
truly immerse yourself in
it, serving on a nonprofi t
organization’s board of
directors will change your
life. You can change the
world around you, but the
board will also change your
world.
Shameless plug: If
you’re interested in being
involved, the Union County
Chamber is looking for new
board members. Nomina-
tions will open soon, so
call me if you want to get
involved in something life
changing.
———
Suzannah Moore-
Hemann is the execu-
tive director of the Union
County Chamber of Com-
merce & Visitors Informa-
tion Center.
Now Open for Dine In
HOPES
Continued from Page B1
With a total square
footage of more than
21,000, the Maridell Cen-
ter’s fi rst fl oor would pro-
vide enough space for
the entire company’s
production.
According to Jeanne
Williamson, the only other
way they could move the
business to La Grande
would be to construct a
new building in the busi-
ness park.
“We’d really like to be
able to bring some jobs
here to La Grande,” she
said. “Right now we’re
inviting our staff and
hosting them for a weekend
out here to spend a couple
of days and nights so they
have an idea of what it’s
like.”
Keeping the focus on
the community
THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021
for occasions such as
proms, weddings and other
high-capacity events.
“It would be a gift to the
community,” Jeanne Wil-
liamson said. “We could
rent it out, but the object
of the upstairs would not
be for profi t. It would be to
provide something to the
community.”
As for the basement,
the Williamsons are opti-
mistic that the space can
become a new commu-
nity gathering spot. They
have fl irted with the idea of
turning the downstairs into
a brew pub or wine bar, but
the renovations would take
quite some time before that
would be a possibility. The
bottom fl oor served as a
laser tag arena in the recre-
ation center, but is believed
to have been an indoor
swimming pool when the
building was constructed
in 1914.
This is not the fi rst
time the Williamsons have
worked on a renovation
project in La Grande, as
the couple previously pur-
chased the spaces at 1113
Adams Ave. and 1115
Adams Ave.
The building currently
hosts Rebel Woolworks
and Eleven Fifteen Salon
& Spa. Jeanne Williamson
repainted the exterior of
the building and the couple
restored the interior after it
had been used for Kneads
Bakery for more than 20
years.
New beginning,
new name
The Williamsons have
a ways to go before their
ambitions for the former
Maridell Center will be
achieved, starting from
square one: They are
looking to change the
name to refl ect the La
La Grande’s
Avid dancers, the Wil-
liamsons are ecstatic about
the opportunities pre-
sented by the upstairs ball-
room. The large ballroom
space needs a facelift,
but the Williamsons have
The most valuable and
long-term plans to bring
respected source of
new life to the top fl oor.
local news, advertising
In addition, ADA accessi-
bility upgrades would be
and information for
part of the renovation pro-
our communities.
cess in the upstairs area.
“We would really like to eomediagroup.com
bring that ballroom back,”
Jeanne Williamson said.
“We’d love to just have it
Still running
be for the community for
unsupported
events, yoga, concerts,
dancing and more.”
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The ballroom space
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Grande community.
“It’s a crucial building
in the town, and we would
like to give it a name that
represents La Grande and
the town’s history,” David
Williamson said.
According to Jeanne
Williamson, the new
owners want the name to
resonate with La Grande
residents because the
couple only moved to the
area within the last few
years.
“We’re looking for a
name for the building that
will help people realize
what La Grande and the
Grande Ronde Valley is
all about,” she said.
Readers can send name
suggestions to the Wil-
liamsons at their email
address, Jeannew@ever-
mine.com.
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Hospice & Pallative Care, LLC
“Affirming life......every day, every time”
VOLUNTEER
doing what you love!
Volunteering is so rewarding
and a great way to contribute
to your community.
If you would like to volunteer
a little, a lot, or once in awhile,
go to www.gohospice.com
and fill out a volunteer application
If you need assistance contact:
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Lost your pet? Find it fast with a
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by Stella Wilder
THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021
YOUR BIRTHDAY by Stella Wilder
Born today, you have been endowed with
talents that make you the envy of many you
encounter in your daily travels -- but that is
partially because you tend to attract into your
orbit the very kind of people with whom you
have the most in common, emotionally and
spiritually, if not intellectually. Indeed, so
many look up to you that you must always
take special care that you don’t begin to
believe the “hype” about who you are or what
you can do.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- That which
you expect to be easy is almost guaranteed to
surprise you, but you’ve equipped yourself
with the tools you need to handle it.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- You must keep
the communication flowing freely among all
team members today. Don’t let anyone tell you
that you’re on the wrong track.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- The rules
are in place for a reason -- and that reason is
sure to become crystal clear to you as the day
progresses. A truth is revealed to you.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- You
may be called out today for something you
didn’t do, and it will behoove you to get to the
bottom of this as soon as possible!
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- The
recognition you’re after may prove elusive
today. Remember that you’re playing a very
competitive game, and your time will come.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- You know
exactly how to get someone to do what you
want, but it isn’t the best way to deepen the
relationship. Try another tactic.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Your efforts
behind the scenes are sure to help those who
are in the spotlight today. Tomorrow it may be
your turn -- so get ready!
ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- You may not
be able to persuade someone that you’re the
right person for a certain job without getting
your hands dirty. Don’t hold back!
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- The best
thing for you today may be the comfort of a
familiar routine. There’s no need to face that
which you haven’t yet figured out.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Take care
that you don’t attract too much attention
today, or you’ll find it almost impossible to do
something that requires a low profile.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You may be
able to enjoy the freedom that anonymity can
provide -- but only for a short time. Before
you know it, you’ll be in the spotlight.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You are more
than willing to follow where a family member
leads you -- but you’ll want to be prepared for
the moment when you’re suddenly all alone.
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