B10
Sports
Blue Mountain Eagle
BUDDY
Continued from Page B1
Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife district
wildlife biologist Ryan
Torland said Buddy, who
is about 3 years old, was
moved to Grant County
from the Prineville area
last month.
Torland speculates the
elk was possibly raised
as a calf by someone who
decided it was something
they didn’t want to keep.
The elk had become ha-
bituated to people and
started hanging out in
town there.
“He thinks he’s a per-
son,” Torland said.
But ODFW was con-
cerned he would become
more aggressive during
rutting season, so they
placed him in the Phillip
Schneider Wildlife Area in
the Murderers Creek Ba-
sin, far from people, with
the hopes that he would
stay there and become ac-
climated to other elk.
That didn’t work, how-
ever.
Buddy soon made his
way down and had been
hanging out at a local
ranch, which is where he
saw and was apparently
attracted to, the activity of
the 5K racers on Saturday.
Torland said Buddy
was moved on Tuesday
this week over to Wildlife
Safari in Winston.
This was the third year
for the Bunny Hop 5K but
the fi rst time an Easter elk
has made an appearance at
the event.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Bunny Hop 5K results
Blue Mountain Eagle
The Eagle photos/Cheryl Hoefler
ABOVE: Buddy strolls along the South Fork of the John Day
River during Dayville’s Bunny Hop 5K on March 26. It was the
final Grant County excursion for Buddy, who was taken to
Wildlife Safari in Winston this week. BELOW: Human runners
share the road with Buddy, who kept pace during the entire 5K,
and completed the course all the way to Dayville City Park. The
energetic elk was re-directed back out to the South Fork area
before the Easter egg hunt at the park.
DAYVILLE — This year’s Dayville Bunny Hop
5K drew 54 contestants of all ages, who enjoyed
the scenery along the South Fork route last Satur-
day morning — in addition to the once-in-a-life-
time experience of running with an elk.
Here are the winning times:
Ages 0-13
• First place: Benjamin Henry, 25:21
• Second place: Daniel Henry, 29:51
Ages 14-26
• First place: Katie Nicolato, 29:10
• Second place: Treiquella Osborne, 42:10
Ages 27-49
• First place: Jeff Nelson, 29:03
• Second place: Peter Bogardus, 29:36
Ages 50 and older
• First place: Bob Hathaway, 30:56
• Second place: Cheryl Hubbird, 31:06
Greater Prairie City Community Association
Our Vision: In 2014, the Greater Prairie City Community
Association (GPCCA) successfully negotiated a historic
donation of this church property from the Oregon-Idaho
Conference United Methodist Church. The old church
currently hosts family events, entertainment, classes and
workshops. Now it’s time to renew the facility for our new
community center – an anchor for our social, cultural,
entertainment and educational activities.
Our Project & Urgency: GPCCA plans to raise $1.26 million
from 2015 to 2020 to remodel and upgrade the existing
church building to meet our community’s needs.
During the summer of 2015 Grant County had a terrible
fire, during which residents of Prairie City had to travel to
Mt. Vernon for shelter. Had the church building been
properly upgraded, our families could have stayed in town
for shelter during the evacuations.
CHECK
YOUR MAILBOX
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
We cannot serve as an emergency site until we add a
bathroom and shower, build the kitchen and add the
electrical upgrades. GPCCA has launched a more aggressive
campaign with the goal of having these improvements
completed by the next fire season.
Who We Are: The GPCCA is a group of local business
owners and community members who work to enhance
the livability and economic well-being for the residents of
Prairie City. We sponsor events and activities that enhance
livability, visual presentation, economic well-being,
participation of volunteers and development of community
leaders in Prairie City.
How You Can Help:
• Become a GPCCA Volunteer • Donate to the GPCCA
Please send your gift to:
Greater Prairie City Community Association
PO Box 758, Prairie City, OR 97869
Kathy Smith: 541-620-0343
Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.
Please make checks payable to GPCCA.
Our Tax ID number is 93-1252624.
03644