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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 12, 2017)
News Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, July 12, 2017 A3 The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Prairie City’s American Legion float included veterans, from left, Merritt Woodley (Navy), Chip Wood (Navy), Clayton Curtis (Army), Del Lake (Army) and Juan Rubio (Army). See more photos on Page A18 and at myeaglenews.com. Celebrating the Fourth By Angel Carpenter and Rylan Boggs Blue Mountain Eagle Four local cities celebrated the country’s independence on the Fourth of July. The events went off with a bang in Prairie City, Dayville, Monument and Long Creek. See more photos on Page A18. Dayville The Dayville parade fea- tured fi re trucks, horses and more candy than the kids could handle. The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Color guard for the Prairie City Fourth of July Parade include, front to back, Bob VanVoorhis, Ted Thompson, Dick Theide and Terry Williams. Post-parade, the Dayville Fire Department served up Jakeburgers, hamburgers with a special relish, outside city hall. A horseshoe competi- tion and car show kept every- one entertained as well. The Jake Streeter Memo- rial Classic Car Show began last year in memory of Jake Streeter, who died in 2016. “He loved classic old cars,” said Cindy Streeter. The Streeter family is trying to keep it going for as long as they can, though there were fewer entries be- cause it fell on a Tuesday, Cindy said. She described the event as an “informal car show” and said last year they even had a tractor enter. Monument Festivities in Monument drew hundreds from across the region, according to Lon- nie Lawrence. This is Lawrence’s sev- enth year helping with the Monument Fourth of July Jubilee. She said it began as a family gathering and has grown every year. “It was started seven years ago as a spur of the moment idea to offer something pos- itive to our community and help the people come togeth- er,” Lawrence said. Long Creek Long Creek residents and others gathered for old-fash- ioned fun at the eighth annual Founder’s Day celebration. The Long Creek Histori- cal Society, which sponsors the event, provided hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks for a potluck lunch. About 50 attended the pic- nic outside Long Creek Com- munity Center. Rhoda DuFresne, the great-great granddaughter of the Keeneys who were prom- inent pioneers to the area, spoke about her family history. Reiba Carter Smith, secre- tary for the historical society, said the Keeneys immigrated to America in the 1600s, mi- grating west after some fought in the Revolutionary War. In Long Creek, the Kee- neys owned a ranch, race hors- es, saloons and a store. The historical society is working toward restoring Long Creek’s Fort Townsend, which was built in the 1870s in seven days, with the help of Civil War veteran Billy Townsend. “We’re trying to preserve it and build a museum,” said Gaylene Pruit, a member of the historical society. Monument parade Best fl oat: Jeanne Strange Best classic vehicle: Jimmy Mael Best adult costume: Mary Cade Best kid costume: Taylor Hamilton on horseback Winner of the 4-H Color Run: Dakota Emerson Dayville parade and contests Grand marshals: Merle and Ralph Metcalf Best of Parade Grand marshal entry by the Metcalf family Horse division First place, Amy and Keira Stiner Second place, Jarrett and Sydney Smith Third place, Strawberry Riders 4-H Kids and non-motorized division First place, Jake Streeter Memorial Car Show, Tanner and Piper Swagger and Zach, Nate and Kiah Nichols Second place, John Deere Fun, Grayson and Everleigh Schmadeka Third place, Barbie Jeep, Carson and McKenzie Thompson Motorized division First place, Old Gypsy Cowgirl Second place, Dayville Mercantile Third place, 4-H Community Club Horseshoe tournament First place, Larry Powell and Casey Fretwell Second place, Toby Thomas and Mani Martin Repurposed cowboy boot contest First place, Simmie Waddel Second place, Tiffnie Schmadeka Jake Streeter Memorial Car Show Event Favorite car award First place, Frank Schrier Second place, Larry Wall Third place, Dayville Merc The Tanner Award: Jerry Ray The Zach Award: Frank Schrier The Nate Award: Jerry Ray The Kiah Award: Dayville Merc The Piper Award: Larry Wall Prairie City parade and contests Grand marshal: Lyn McDonald Sweepstakes winner Little Miss Hayla LeeAnn Reilly Classic cars First place, 2 Cow Cattle Company of Prairie City Second place, Farrel Clark ADVANTAGE DENTAL CLINICS Advantage Dental Group PC Debbie Ausmus 245 South Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845 OPEN WED. & THUR. 9 am - 5 pm 541-575-1113 24 hrs/7 days wk DO YOU NEED A CROWN? $59 DOWN & $59 A MONTH Call to schedule your appointment with Advantage Dental today. Some resrtrictions may apply. 750 West Main John Day, OR 97845 debbie.ausmus@ countryfinancial.com 888-468-0022 Emergencies, most Insurance Plans and Oregon Health Plan Patients are all welcome. Local author pens western ‘Quintana’ tells story of a post- civil war hero By Rylan Boggs Blue Mountain Eagle Local author Don Jones just released his fi rst book. Writing under the name D.L. Jones, he penned the historical fi ction “Quin- tana,” the story of Carlos Quintana, a civil war vet- eran, who gains national attention after saving Presi- dent Andrew Johnson from an assassination attempt. The book follows Quintana as he and his men hunt down the Quantrill Gang, put down a Mexican rebellion in Texas and escort wagon trains of Mormons through hostile territory, all while hounded by a U.S. Marshal determined to bring Quin- tana in for a double murder. The book is largely set in Missouri, Kansas and Okla- homa. “The last part of the 1800s is one of my favor- ite parts of history because so much is going on in the country,” Jones said. He taught 31 years of history, 27 at Grant Union High School, and said he has always been drawn to western history. He had the idea for the story in his head for years and fi nally had the time to write it. “It’s been an adventure into the dark,” he said. “Spittin’ into the wind, I had no idea what would happen.” He wrote the novel in The cover of Don Jones’ new novel, “Quintana.” short chapters, reminiscent of James Patterson’s books. Those who enjoyed the novel “Lonesome Dove,” by Larry McMurtry, would also fi nd “Quintana” inter- esting, Jones said. He based some of the characters in his fi rst book on his colorful relatives and friends. Jones graduated from the University of Montana in 1961 with degrees in his- tory and political science. He went to school on the GI Bill after serving in the Army from 1954-1956. The book is currently available on Amazon, or di- rectly from Jones. He is cur- rently halfway through a se- quel to “Quintana” and has his fi ngers crossed he will be able to get his books in larger retailers like Barnes & Noble. “Quintana” was pub- lished by Dorrance Publish- ing, who also provided the cover art. Jones hopes to have a book signing in the future. JOHN DAY VIDEO & ELECTRONICS Clearance Sale on all SONY 1080p TVs, Audio Systems, Blu-ray Players and Cameras. Located in the West Main Plaza THANK YOU The Grant County Family Heritage Foundation, a private non-profit dedicated to supporting youth in agriculture in Grant County, wishes to thank its partners in its first Mother’s and Father’s Day basket drawing. Thanks to these partners, “Bench Made” Knives, Ace Hardware, Adoni’s Pine, Better Blooms and Gardens, Flower Shop & More, Leupold Stevens, The Snaffle Bit Dinner House, and ZPT Silver; Jessica Wilson and Jake Reynolds received a combined $1,518 retail value of prizes. The Foundation additionally wishes to thank those who purchased the 240 tickets for this drawing. • Veteran Owned • Competitive Pricing • Serving Central & Eastern Oregon 541-620-1405 Burklevi@yahoo.com 05745 05879 These events kicked off the Foundation’s efforts to raise funds necessary to bring a cooling system and electrical upgrades to the Heritage Barn at the Grant County Fairgrounds. The project is designed to bring cooling comfort to the animals, 4-H & FFA participants and attendees alike. 05902 Prairie City Prairie City’s “Celebrate the Spirit of 1776” parade kicked off a day of Fourth of July fun. It started with a bang of the Whiskey Gulch Gang’s can- non. “People went all out this year,” said City Recorder Taci Philbrook. Parade coordinator Anna Smith agreed. “I think the fl oats have re- ally gotten better,” she said, adding it made the judging that much harder this year. “My theme is ‘go big, or go home,’” she said. Rose Coombs sang the national anthem as members of the American Legion post- ed the colors, and parade an- nouncer was Logan Bagett. Sweepstakes winner was 4-year-old Hayla Reilly who was dressed as a rodeo prin- cess, riding Rooster the horse, who was also patriotically “dressed.” Parade-goers were encour- aged to wear a red hat in hon- or of military servicemen and women. A red-hat contest and log sawing competition were two new events in Prairie City this year. The festivities were capped by a fi reworks display at the Oxbow Ranch, where glow sticks were given out to chil- dren. “Someone purchases 500 glow sticks each year, and they don’t even live here,” Philbrook said. The fi reworks display is paid for by the city. “We want to thank the pyrotechnician team headed by Boyd Britton and all the fi re services,” she said. “We couldn’t have done it without them.” The Eagle/Rylan Boggs Local author Don Jones stands for a photo at his home Thursday, June 22. 05883 Third place, Trever Hamsher Floats First place, DeWitt Museum Second place, Chester’s Thriftway Third place, City Hall Prairie City Non-motorized vehicles First place, Skylar McKay/Ava Gerry Walking groups First place, Prairie Post 106 American Legion Second place, Blue Mountain Care Center Third place, PCHS cheerleaders and cheer camp girls Horse drawn First place, Del Raymond Mounted individuals First place, Little Miss Hayla LeeAnn Reilly Second place, Rowdy Israel, Lil Miss NPRA Mounted group First, Grant County Fair Court Second, Carson McKay and Jaden Winegar Third place, Bryan Martin and Kettery Decorated vehicle First place, Prairie City Baptist Church Second place, JoAnne Cordis-Phippen Third place, Prairie City football team ATV/Dirt bikes/motor First place, Trenton Winegar Second place, Gabriel and Emma Third place, Jack Strong Derby cars First place, Tyler Nodine Second place, Eddy Hicks Third place, Steve Patterson Emergency vehicles First place, Blue Mountain Hospital Ambulance Second place, John Day Fire Department Log sawing competition First place, Trever Hamsher and Daniel DesJardin Second place, Ed Guzman and Rose Guzman Third place, Taci Philbrook and Amanda Rockhill Locals enjoy a variety of festivities
