A8
News
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Local radio operators participate in national exercise
Contact made with
Washington, D.C.
By Steve Fletcher
To the Blue Mountain Eagle
A dozen local, amateur radio
operators from different parts of
Grant County set up radios, anten-
nas and other equipment in front
of the Corner Cup in John Day on
Friday and activated a multi-radio
station from 11 a.m. Saturday to 6
a.m. Sunday as part the annual Am-
ateur Radio Field Day exercise.
In the United States, the first
field day took place in 1933 when
amateur radio operators began
hauling their equipment to outdoor
sites, where they would test their
ability to rapidly deploy and oper-
ate their stations under remote con-
ditions that often accompany a di-
saster, according to a press release
from the Grant County Amateur
Radio Club.
To gauge their effectiveness,
points are awarded based on a
number of factors. The day has be-
come the largest single emergency
preparedness exercise in the coun-
try, with more than 35,000 opera-
tors participating.
Grant County Amateur Radio
Contributed photo
The newest Grant County amateur radio operator, Cameron Brockway, speaks to the oldest, 90-year-old
Daron Dierks of Dayville, at the annual amateur radio field day June 23 in John Day.
Club and Grant County Emergen-
cy Services sponsored the event
in John Day. Many radio contacts
were made to places both near and
far.
The longest distance contact
made was Washington, D.C. Ed El-
lesson of John Day made a number
of contacts using Morse code. Seth
Klingbeil, also of John Day, made
contacts using a digital mode call
PSK31.
People without radio licenses
were allowed to stop by and get on
O utlook
the air. The youngest of those who
got on the air was a 3-year-old boy.
After prompting from his father,
the 3-year-old said, “I want to talk
on the radio.” A contact was estab-
lished with Tom Bessler in Seneca
and with Rick Allen of John Day.
The operators set up a tempo-
rary shelter, several vehicles, five
fixed-station radios, four fixed-posi-
tion antennas and used a number of
hand-held radios. All the main radios
were powered by batteries charged
by solar power.
Not only did the radio operators
make voice contact, but they used
other radio modes to make contacts.
Automatic Packet Reporting Sys-
tem was demonstrated with a radio
strapped to a four-wheeler and a map
automatically displaying its position
on the internet. Radios connected to
weather stations using APRS were
also demonstrated. Contacts were
also made with a number of digital
modes.
Visitors stopped by to ask ques-
tions about equipment capabilities
and about how to get an FCC li-
cense. Staff explained how the FCC
regulations have changed and that it
is relatively easy to get a license in
Grant County. Others explained it is
no longer necessary to know Morse
code in order to obtain a license. The
visitors were mostly Grant County
locals, but some tourists also stopped
by. The visitors from the farthest
point were three amateur radio oper-
ators from Los Angeles. Rick Allen,
who organized the event, said it was
a huge success.
SENI R
PRAIRIE CITY —
Whew. What a week we
have had. Involved the
entire state of Oregon.
Saturday, June 16, Joel
and family and bag and
baggage arrived in
Rose Coombs
Canyon City from
Portland. That was also
the day that Bert and family were returning from church family camp on
the coast to Portland. So everyone got to where they were going with no
problems or accidents. On Monday Derrol got his pre-op visit in John Day.
Then on Tuesday, June 19, we went to Baker and Ontario; Thursday to
Bend. Everything is in place for his thumb surgery on June 26. Hope we
get to stay in Grant County for a while. I’m tired.
Prairie City
Seniors
The garden is growing and so are the weeds. The rain showers certainly
helped. Which is why I’m so glad that we can eat out on Wednesdays. You
should join us! Ginger asked Lorna Askew from the Blue Mountain Care
Center to lead the flag salute. Delivery people were Larry, Carla and Ken.
We pinochle players set up back by the registration table so we could be
available since Carla, who was substituting for Pam, had to go with hubby
Larry. We were able to get in our two full games and Delores and her
partners managed to get 300 pinochle twice! What can I say?
Back to dinner… Gwynne Wulfert was the winner of the gift certificate
donated by Chuck’s Little Diner. Scott McMahan asked the blessing. He
thanked all who prayed for his grandson who was the cause of the medical
emergency last week. He is home recovering from the skull fracture and
doing great. All the complications that were showing up at Blue Mountain
Hospital were resolved by the time the plane got to Portland. How’s that
for answered prayer?
Dinner was meatballs and noodles, broccoli salad, a roll and raspberry-
lemon tart with topping for dessert. That may not look like much, but the
helpings were very generous. And it was delicious as usual.
After dinner Tyler Stoneman demonstrated the tai chi movements that we
could do to help with balance and well-being. If you are one that your
doctor has said this will be helpful for you, you know what you need to do.
Jack and Bonnie Pickle were in attendance with their daughter Marcia
Paquel. Lorna and Krystin brought Sandi Burns, Gordon Sindt, Marilyn
Randall and Bud Salisbury from the Blue Mountain Care Center. That new
ramp really helps them get into the building and to their table easier.
Thanks again to the Knudsen people who gave us the grant to purchase it.
We had our monthly board meeting after lunch and decided to have a float
in the Fourth of July parade. Get some advertisement there. It is amazing to
me that there are some people who do not know about us or confuse us
with the care center. We are still moving forward on getting the building
painted, so keep watching.
Luke 12:37, 40 “It will be good for those servants whose master finds them
watching when he comes. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man
will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”
JOHN DAY — Monday,
June 19, was National Picnic
Day. The greeter’s desk was
well manned by Everett
King and Ron Dowse. Our
table service was provided
by the First Christian
Church: Jan Ellison, Dusty
Harris, Roberta Dowse and
Karen Barrietua. All of our
home meal delivery was done by the Step Forward crew, led by David Gill,
and they completed 30 regular and 32 frozen meal deliveries. Thank you so
much for your service.
helping in the kitchen. Kelley Couron heard Veanne mention that we
would need someone who could fill in for Lisa while she took Curt to
Bend for a medical appointment, and Kelley just stepped up, and it seemed
to work out very well. Thanks so much, Kelley.
On Thursday, June 21, Merry Henry and I greeted and did the books.
Thanks to Jean Willie, who did all of our set up. The Ye Olde Thrift Shop
and Methodist Church group of Louise Nelson, and Kathy Smith, led by
Sherry Feiger, did the table service. We had an unusually large group but
these gals work well together and managed well with just a little help. Ken
and Shermayne Boethin took deliveries to John Day and Canyon City while
David Gill and his crew from Step Forward took the Mt. Vernon route.
Thank you so much to all of our volunteers. We had a special volunteer
Don’t forget we play bingo after the meal on Thursday. Our blackout is
worth $200 and we have a floating bingo win, depending on the crowd.
This week each bingo paid $18.50. Join us if you can!
John Day
Seniors
Nicky Essex
We had a great group from Valley View: Chuck and daughter Linda, Betty
and daughter Pam with husband Mike, Randy, Helen, Norma, Lois, Sandy
and leader Kim blessed us with a full and overflowing table. In fact, we
had a new visitor, and I neglected to write her name here in my notes. I
hope you will come again.
Our meal was sponsored by Bar Trucking Company (Judy Nelson). Shay
made pork roast and new potatoes with gravy, roasted vegetables, and to
celebrate National Peach Shortcake Day, we had peach shortcake. I love
Dale Stennett opened our time by leading us in the Pledge of Allegience. Jan all of our national day celebrations. We continue to ask for prayer for Curt
Ellison won the Len’s Drug gift card, Karen Barrietua won the free meal and and Lisa, they are struggling with a heavy load.
Ron Dowse gave the blessing on the meal. We dined on chicken strips with
gravy and summer tortellini salad, Texas toast, and amazing lemon trifle for Next Thursday, June 28, we’ll have beef tamales with green sauce. Then
Monday, July 2, we’ll have shrimp lo mein.
dessert. It was nice to see visitor Frances Preston again.
MONUMENT — We had a
nice turnout for our
Tuesday, June 19, lunch and
the guests on the books
were 47 and 10 takeouts to
be exact. Our cooks were
Carrie Jewell and Teawna
Jewell. They made us some
spaghetti, garlic bread, nice
fresh green salad, canned
peaches and cookies for
dessert. I would venture to say that everyone “pigged out” because there was
really not much slop to take home to my piggies afterwards! Ha.
Monument
Seniors
Soo Yukawa
Our greeters were Lonnie Lawrence, Jimmy Cole and Linda Blakeslee.
Lonnie made the announcements and led us in the flag salute. Yours truly
prayed over the blessing of the meal. Jimmy and Linda collected and counted
the money.
We had a few visitors from around our very own little town of Monument
join us for lunch. We had Lexi Hull, Juna and Daniel Watkins and Brian and
Kirk Violini. Other visitors included Dick and Pam Wanous from Spray and
Cip Arroyo from Salinas, California. We hope all our visitors enjoyed their
meal and time out at the senior center.
The winner of the Len’s Drug gift card was Donna Campbell. The free meal
tickets went to Betty Richards and Daniel Watkins.
Lonnie reminded us about the upcoming Monument Jubilee event on the
Fourth of July. There are going to be lots of fun activities going on. Some of
the events that will be happening are a parade, horseshoe tournament, silent
Palm 116: 5-7 “The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of
compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he
saved me. Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to
you.”
auctions and a pie/dessert auction (which, by the way, they need some
donations of pies and desserts please). This will be great for some family
fun time. Hope you all can make it. Bring your folding chairs and or
picnic blankets and come to just sit and visit.
There will also be the amazing fireworks show. This is made possible for
everyone’s enjoyment by the city of Monument. The cost of providing the
awesome show is getting more and more expensive and the city of
Monument would very much appreciate any and all donations to continue
to provide the fireworks for the general public. Any amount would help
cover the cost and the city of Monument thanks everyone for their
generous donations.
Can’t believe that July is just a few days away. Where did the time go? I
have not been very good at keeping the weeds out of my other garden
beds. It’s all so horrible. I feel a little overwhelmed by the tall grass and
weeds.
I have decided I have a new enemy to contend with. I don’t know which is
worse: the squirrel, gophers, or the magpies? The magpies have been
taunting me and driving me crazy. They are eating my cats’ food. I’m
afraid they are going to get my pears. They did that a couple of years ago
and ate all my pears in one night. I think they are too smart for even the
cats to get close enough to catch them, darn those nasty birds. Hmmm,
what to do with them? Anyone have any great ideas they might want to
share?
Daniel 12:2 “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall
awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting
contempt.”
65216