Blue Mountain Eagle F ROM THE PULPIT 20,000 Leagues under the sea? and trust in our faith are helping us to move forward together in an exciting, positive new direc- As a much younger person, tion. I thoroughly enjoyed reading We are determined our adventure stories. Among my church will become even more favorite authors was one Jules vibrant, eagerly seeking ways Verne, a French novelist who to help others in our communi- was a forward thinker, well ahead W\DQG¿UHGXSZLWKHQWKXVLDVP of his time. Nowadays, we might to welcome all who wish to see FODVVLI\KLPDVDVFLHQFH¿FWLRQ and participate in this new ad- writer, although in his time, the venture. Certainly there may be wonders of our world and uni- some rough patches, but with verse were very limited. the love of Christ in our midst, We are referring here to a we are joyfully setting out to do time period of about 1870, long His work in a new way. before airplanes, rockets, pow- We are being led by lay ered submarines and copious folks, just like you, empowered energy availability. Of particular to achieve great things! Come delight for me was my reading to join with us; everyone is wel- of “Twenty Thousand Leagues come. We will guarantee there Under the Sea,” an adventure will be no sea monsters and we story that gripped my young will not take you under the sea, LPDJLQDWLRQ , HDVLO\ LGHQWL¿HG but it will be an adventure. with Captain Nemo, command- We are located at 126 NW ing the Nautilus, and diving deep Canton, John Day, right across into the oceans to pursue a sea from the Kam Wah Chung In- monster. In the story are times of terpretive Center. Worship starts doubt, of terror, of deep despair at 9:00 am. Call 541-575-1326 and disagreements, of lack of for further information. Many faith, yet also determination and blessings to you all. courage to face the unknown, Pastor Mike Lamb is a lay with all of its associated horrors, person assigned to NEO Circuit both real and imagined. Most of of the United Methodist Church. the fear can be attributed to hav- ing to deal with the vastness of the unknown, the relentless pull into an alien environment, far out of a person’s comfort zone. Even today, when faced with the prospect of having to do things differently, many of us subconsciously fear the un- known that lies ahead. We too, resist being taken out of our comfort zones. Such an event is even underway within our com- munity in John Day. Our United Methodist Church is faced with having to organize and deliver worship services in the absence of an ordained clergy person to lead us. We are very much in un- chartered waters, with associat- ed fears and uncertainties threat- ening to overwhelm us. Yet, in the face of such adversity, the human courage, determination By the Rev. Mike Lamb To the Blue Mountain Eagle News A7 Wednesday, September 16, 2015 Kudos for the Care Center Blue Mountain Eagle PRAIRIE CITY –The Blue Mountain Care Cen- ter in Prairie City was re- cently recognized as a top nursing home in Oregon according to U.S. News and World Report. The recognition is based on survey results and quality care of those who live in this facility. The Blue Mountain Care Center received five stars from the federal Cen- ters of Medicare & Med- icaid Services for their overall rating with health inspections, nurse staffing and measures of medical quality of care. Ratings were based on health inspections from the latest three state in- spections for health and safety standards for food preparation and other nursing-home activities, and nurse staffing for av- erage number of hours per day of care received per resident from nurse staff. “I am so proud of my staff for this accomplish- ment. This is no small feat, this is huge in the nursing facility industry Staff members from Blue Mountain Care Center in Prairie City with their awards. Back row, from left, Scott Whybark, Danny Allison and Jo Whitehead; middle row, from left, Rindy Schmitt, Maggie Mansfield, Maria Butler, Jonie Jones, Lorna Askew and Brandi Grove; front row, from left, Tanaya Robinson, Angie Gibson, Kellyn Derosier and Trena Winters. The Eagle/Kim Kell and not easy to achieve!” said Brandi Grove, Blue Mountain Care Center Administrator/RN. “This has taken years of hard work and dedication as a team to accomplish. I want to thank each and every one who contrib- uted to us achieving this, from the bottom of my heart.” In Oregon, only 20 percent of nursing homes earned an overall five- star rating based on the U.S. News and World Report. Committee Volunteers Needed Grant County is now recruiting volunteers to serve on active boards and committees. Obtain an Application to Volunteer from County Court, 201 S. Humbolt, Canyon City OR 97820; (541- 575-0059); ferriolim@grantcounty-or.gov Applications are due by Friday, September 25. Committees are formal public bodies required to comply with Oregon Public Meetings Law ORS 192.610. Extension & 4-H Service District Advisory Council: Eleven members serve three year terms and meet semi-annually to provide guidance and assistance to local OSU Extension staff in planning, developing, and evaluating balanced educational programs directed to high priority needs of county residents. Membership is limited to one re-appointment. Library Advisory Board: Seven members serve four year terms and meet monthly to promote public awareness and support of library services, receive public input, review and update library materials, and coordinate activities with the Grant County Library Foundation. Membership is limited to one re-appointment. Mental Health Advisory Board: Seven members (including two consumer representatives) serve three year terms and meet no less than quarterly to facilitate the provision of quality mental health services to county residents and enhance community knowledge of available programs and services. Acts as the Local Alcohol and Drug Planning Commission and Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board. Road Advisory Board: Seven members serve three year terms and meet as needed to make recommendations on major and annual road decisions such as construction schedules, road vacations, budgeting and policy development, and to participate in hiring staff. Wildlife Advisory Board: Nine members serve three year terms and meet as needed to discuss issues regarding big game management and make recommendations to Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, including tag allocation and hunting season structure as they relate to population and damage of property. 02644