Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (June 22, 2016)
A8 Education Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, June 22, 2016 R ECESS FOREVER FOR THE LOVE OF KIDS Four educators retire from Grant School District 3 By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle CANYON CITY — Grant School District No. 3 is bidding a fond farewell to four retiring staff members who were honored at the June 8 school board meeting. The retirees include: Hum- bolt Elementary librarian Bonnie Zick (30 years), Humbolt edu- cational assistant Suzie Burton (29 years), Grant Union and Humbolt band and choir director Mary Ann Vidourek (25 years) and Grant Union English teacher Sandy Brown (11 years). Zick has worked in the mid- dle schools and elementary school for the district, and said working with the younger stu- dents has been especially enjoy- able. “One of the reasons I love coming back to this job day after day is because I love the kids,” she said. The librarian said she plans to stay in the area and spend more time with her children, attend her grandchildren’s sporting events, quilt and read. Over the years, Burton has worked mainly with Suzy Bonnie Burton Zick irst-grade students, most recent- ly in Mandy Ipson’s classroom, and in third-grade and kinder- garten classes, also assisting stu- dents in Title I reading and math groups. “What I’m going to miss most is my relationships with the kids,” she said, adding it’s also been fun to work with her daughter, third-grade teacher Caroline Colson at Humbolt. On the last day of school, one young boy told Burton he’ll miss her. She said not to worry, she’ll see him next year when she returns as a substitute teacher. She said she plans to spend more time with her husband, traveling and camping. Vidourek, who teaches el- ementary through high school students, plans to move to Red- mond to be closer to children and grandchildren. She’ll still be involved in some of her musical pursuits and plans to continue her embroidery business. She said she’s enjoyed giving students the tools to become musicians. “When they learn music, that Michael B. DesJardin Dentistry, PC Preventive, Restorative & Endodontics New Patients Welcome! 208 NW Canton John Day 541-575-2725 mbddental@live.com michaelbdesjardindmd.com Sandy Mary Ann Brown Vidourek is something they have for the rest of their lives,” she said. “It’s a lifelong skill.” Brown has been an educator for 27 years. She taught at a one- room schoolhouse in Frenchglen before working for the Grant School District where she be- gan teaching sixth-grade English at Mt. Vernon Middle School, then freshman English at Grant Union. She attended her last set of sixth-grade students’ graduation on June 4. Brown plans to move to The Dalles, closer to her par- ents and daughters. She said she’s asked herself if she has any transferable skills. “If I can get freshmen boys and girls to like Shakespeare, I can probably do anything else,” she said. Cleaning out her classroom closets, she’s come across writ- ing and posters her students have made over the years. “There are some great exam- ples I’d like to keep,” she said. She added she’s enjoyed meeting students in the class- room when they’re 10 or 11 and having them in class again as freshmen. “You already have a connec- tion with those kids,” she said. “It’s the relationship with the stu- dents that I’ve enjoyed the most.” District Superintendent Curt Shelley said the employees’ “94 years of combined service will not be replaceable.” He quoted Robert Fulghum, who said, “Don’t worry that chil- Blue Mountain Eagle MyEagleNews.com Blue Mountain Eagle DAYVILLE — On the road and in the classroom, Marina Martin inluenced countless Dayville School students with her enthusiasm and artistic tal- ents. Now, Mar- tin has retired from the school after 27 years, during which she said she “dabbled in ev- erything I could Marina to help.” Martin Her main and irst job at the school was bus driver, which included transporting students to and from sports and other activ- ities, in addition to school. Over the years, she added “educational assistant” to her duties and, as a multi-talented artist herself, was a valuable asset in helping with art instruction. Most of the time in art class- es she was with seventh- and eighth-graders, teaching painting and drawing, and she also led a drafting class with teacher Skip Inscore. “I thoroughly enjoyed teach- ing art,” Martin said. For 16 of the years, Martin was also an EMT and active in sports medicine at the school. She also enjoyed being in the “number one gunner seat” driv- ing the bus. “I just enjoyed working with the kids,” she said. Martin has lived in the John Day Valley since 1958, and moved to Dayville in 1977 when she married her husband, Hilmer Martin, a lifelong Dayville resi- dent. Hilmer died in 2013. Volunteer recognitions In addition to the four retir- ees, Grant School District No. 3 oficials honored school volun- teers. Special education and TAG director Robyn Miller recognized Humbolt Elementary School’s Friday Academy volunteers: Dr. Colleen Robertson, animal science; Georgia Boethin, ani- mal science; Rich Lallatin, math games; and Amelia Harman, art class and shading techniques. Miller gave special recogni- tion to Gail and Shirley Enright for hosting the fourth annual Elk’s Buddy Fishing Day at their residence and Connie Wood who helped coordinated the event through the John Day Elk’s Lodge. Grant Union Athletic Direc- tor Jason Miller acknowledged Russ and Tara Young, who paid students’ spring athletic fees and athletic fees for all of next year. Grant Union Principal Ryan Gerry acknowledged Aspire volunteers, including Chris Cronin. Gerry said the program helps prepare students post high school. Humbolt Principal Kim Smith acknowledged Shanna Northway, OSU extension agent, for assisting with Friday Acad- emy activities and Lauren and Dustin Berry for their hours of volunteer work to improve the school’s campus. DAYVILLE — The aca- demic year has come to a close at Dayville School, and with it, the longtime careers of educa- tors Skip and Cindy Inscore. The couple have worn many hats during their time at Day- ville — 34 years for Skip and 26 for Cindy. Skip’s main endorsement is social sciences, and under that topical umbrella, he has taught U.S., world, Oregon and Paciic Northwest history; global stud- ies; world geography; govern- ment; economics; psychology; and sociology. Cowboy Chapel H our KJDY, Sunday, 7 a.m. That’s only the half of it. Outside his endorsement, he has taught such courses as draft- ing, yearbook, photography, typing, keyboarding, life skills and grade 11-12 projects. He’s coached several sports — both junior and high school football, junior and high school girls and boys basketball and track — and was also the advi- sor for the student council and yearbook. Cindy has worn most of the same hats during her time at Dayville School. Both have also been in charge of the concession stand at sports and other activities over the years, which, with help from parents and students, raised money for school trips. So, after years of maintain- ing such an energetic and full schedule, what are the Inscores going to do now with all their free time? Contributed photo Longtime Dayville School educators Cindy and Skip Inscore are looking forward to new ventures as they head into the world of retirement. Their new schedule includes traveling, ishing and spending time with their daughters, Eliz- abeth, who is working on her doctorate in physical therapy at the University of New England in Maine, and Renee, who is at Corban University in Salem, earning a degree in elementary education, with an emphasis on Don’t get left behind, call today! Kim Kell 541-575-0710 Dayville’s 2016 4th of July Celebration R etirem ent O pen H ouse Stunning, Starlit 4th of July P LEASE JOIN US IN SAYING GOODBYE TO C ITY M ANAGE R Friday, July 1st 5:00 p.m. Summer Youth Arts Program Showcase, School Gym Sunday, July 3 7:30-9:00 a.m. 16th Annual Community Breakfast, Community Church (by donation) Prior to working at the school, Martin was a federal meat in- spector for 13-1/2 years at a packing plant in John Day until it closed in 1989. After that, the couple owned a beer and pizza eatery in Dayville, The TX Tav- ern, for 3-1/2 years. She credits Dayville City Recorder Ruthie Moore for the bus driving job, which was about the time Martin had in- ished working at meat packing plant. Moore had heard of the open position, and told Martin she knew she would just be right for it. For now, retirement means not making any permanent plans and taking it day by day, Martin said. Her plans so far include working outside in the yard and devoting more time to art. Martin paints, draws and carves — most of her artwork she does for pleasure and just gives away as gifts to family and friends. She hopes to focus more on her three-dimensional wood carving skills. And of course a top priority will be spending more time with family — stepdaughter, Trena Winters; children, Kori Jo Martin and Mani Martin, and his wife, Savanna; and grandchildren, Shyanne and Colton Winters, and Kaslynn and Jarret Martin. Martin has no plans to leave the area. Dayville has a “family atmosphere,” she said. “It’s a good place to raise kids.” While she enjoyed working with the staff and students, she had been thinking about retire- ment for awhile, and is looking forward to some personal time. “It’s time to do something for me,” she said. “Time to think about me for a change.” Longtime teaching couple hang up their many hats Blue Mountain Eagle He will bathe in an ADVERTISED TUB, shave with an ADVERTISED RAZOR, have a breakfast of ADVERTISED JUICE, cereal and toast, toasted in an ADVERTISED TOASTER, put on ADVERTISED CLOTHES and glance at his ADVERTISED WATCH. He’ll ride to work in his ADVERTISED CAR, sit at an ADVERTISED DESK and write with an ADVERTISED PEN. Yet this person hesitates to advertise, saying that advertising doesn’t pay. Finally, when his non-advertised business is going under, HE’LL ADVERTISE IT FOR SALE. Then it’s too late. AND THEY SAY ADVERTISING DOESN’T WORK? DON’T MAKE THIS SAME MISTAKE Advertising is an investment, not an expense. Think about it! By Cheryl Hoeler R ECESS FOREVER By Cheryl Hoeler A MAN WAKES UP in the morning after sleeping on... an advertised bed, in advertised pajamas. Martin retires after 27 years dren never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” “In the case of our four retir- ees, they did not have to worry about either,” he said. “They had the respect of the student’s ear, and were great role models. All four retirees made our system better.” Saturday, July 2 10 am - 3 on 3 Basketball Tourney, School Gymnasium (Contact Tiffnie @ 541-620-2881 for additional information) 2-4 pm - Beer & Wine Tasting, Dayville Merc. 2-5 pm - Jake Streeter Memorial Classic Car Event, City Park 2:30 pm - Tribute to Jake Streeter, City Park 3 pm - Horseshoe Tourney, City Park Jackpot Tournament, with additional money added in. 4 pm - Scavenger Hunt, City Park 4:30 pm - Pie Contests, City Park Most Delicious Pie Contest (Bring your favorite pie to enter) Pie Eating Contest Pie in the Face Toss 5 pm - Jakeburger Stand Opens, City Park 6 pm - Parade, Franklin Ave. ( Line up on the east end of town. Judging begins at 5:00. No pre- registration necessary. ) Grand Marshals Skip & Cindy Inscore 7 pm - Baked Goods Auction, City Park 7:30 pm - Duck Race, City Park. Ducks $5 1st place: $200, 2nd place: $100, and many more prizes. 8 pm - Music in the Park, City Park Events subject to change. Contact Dayville City Hall for additional information, 541-987-2188 or dville@ortelco.net. P eggy G ray IN APPRECIATION OF HER 24 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE C ITY OF J OHN D AY J UNE 30 TH 4 P . M . TO 6 P . M . A T THE N EW F IRE H ALL C ONFERENCE R OOM Hike • Bike • Run Poker fun July 16, race starts at 8 a.m. Canyon City Park special education. Farther down the road, the Inscores also plan a couple of overseas trips: a river cruise in Europe and a visit to China. Relecting on his time as an educator, Skip said the most re- warding part about the job has been “Kids, kids, kids.” He said he enjoyed inter- acting with, being around, and learning with the students. “I have always thought that I gained more from them than they did from me,” he said. Cindy said what she has en- joyed most during her career is seeing the joy students have in learning and sharing all aspects of the school they have consid- ered “family.” “What a privilege to share our lives with generations of children and families,” she said. Skip said his coaching career was marked by great athletes and teams, and he’s gratiied that so many of his former athletes are now themselves coaching or assisting sports programs. He’s also pleased how well many of the students have done after leaving high school “Their success is not mea- sured by degrees attained but by their being productive and positive citizens in our commu- nities,” Skip said. He noted the positive sup- port for the school from the Dayville community, as well as the diverse staff at they’ve had over the years, who have each brought their own strengths to the school to help make it a bet- ter educational environment. Both considered their careers as educators a “blessing,” Cindy referring to it as “a calling of the heart, that some people call a job.” Skip said, “I have been bless- ed to do what I love to do, where I wanted to do it.” Prize for winning Poker Hand (must be present to win) DOOR PRIZES (must be present to win) Three Part Challenge: Beings & ends at Canyon City Park Participation: Take part in 1, 2 or all three legs of the challenge as an individual or a team of up to 3. Poker Fun: Poker cards are drawn at 5 locations throughout the 2 mile hike leg. 2 additional cards will be drawn during the 12 mile bike and 3 mile run legs that can be used to discard and make a better poker hand. Pre-registration now through June 30 (guaranteed T-shirt and event bag) Event Day Registration: 7-8 am $20 individual, $40 team up to 3 Children under 10 free Proceeds go towards family friendly events at Canyon City Park and updates to the park To pre-register, pick up and drop off form to: Canyon City Hall, Grant County Chamber of Commerce or at 120 S Washington St., Canyon City • Mail to: Canyon City Challenge, PO Box 383 Canyon City, OR 97820 • email: canyoncitychallenge@gmail.com
