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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (April 17, 2019)
A10 SENIORS Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, April 17, 2019 GRANT COUNTY SENIORS John Day Seniors Dusty Harris I trust that everyone’s weekend was splendid? It sure was a beautiful week- end, despite the rain! I can’t believe that we are mid- April and Easter is Sun- day. I hope all of you have blessed Easter’s surrounded by friends and family. On April 8, our greeter was Ron Dowse, whom we are always so happy to see. There were 40 regular and 40 frozen meals deliv- ered by Step Forward and Francis and Bonnie Kocis. Thank you so much for your dedication to our center. Our meal was served by volun- teers from the Redeemer Lutheran Church, and the meal consisted of spaghetti with angel hair pasta, zuc- chini sticks with marinara sauce, garlic bread and vanilla cherry tarts for des- sert. As always, our lovely cooks dazzled our taste buds with their delicious home cooked meals. We thank you for this. On April 11, our greet- ers were Jeanette and Dave, whom we are also very happy to see thanks to their welcome arms and genuine smiles. There were 39 total meals delivered by the crew at Step Forward as well as Joan and Joel Tayles. This time our meal was served by the wonderful volun- teers from the Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, and it was donated by Hotel Prai- rie. Thank you very much for all your compassion and generosity. The meal was chicken with sweet red pepper pesto over pasta, spring veg- etables, frog eye salad, baguettes and old-fashioned molasses cookies for des- sert. It’s fun when our cooks venture into different parts of the cookbook to help us try new things. It seems they always find something that I have never heard of, let alone tried! I honestly can- not express how thankful we are to have such lovely peo- ple helping us. The winner of the free meals was Don Porter with the free sundae donated by Dairy Queen won by Marie Station. This week we have sev- eral individuals to thank including Tracy, who donated eggs for the meal again, and Don and Deda Porter, who wash the silver- ware every day. I bet their hands are smooth. There are so many won- derful angels in our commu- nity who are always so will- ing to make our lives easier by volunteering their time, mental capacity and muscle. As the weather gets warmer, I can’t wait for new things to start happening and for the constant sunshine keeping us warm and happy. I don’t really think people understand how dampening the cold, dreary weather can be on someone’s mood. Hopefully most by now have learned to see the silver lining in all situations, because that’s what I have learned to do, and it makes life a whole lot better. Philippians 4:8 “And now, dear brothers and sis- ters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Prairie City Seniors Rose Coombs The old saying about April showers certainly held true for Grant County so far this month! Monday night’s jour- ney to YAP class was slowed by two bridges across Can- yon Creek being closed off, but we had almost every- one in attendance! Anyone who had to get to Bend had to take a longer detour. Have you ever thought about the scarcity of escape routes we have? We have to be prepared for any eventuality, whether fire or flood. Juan led the flag salute, Jack asked the blessing and Carlos and Jay made the home deliveries. Louise LaBaugh was the winner of the free meal donated by Val- ley View Assisted Living. The table centerpieces today were rabbits and baby chicks, i.e. Peeps. The table with a blue Peep went first to the serving table, and what were they served? Maca- roni and cheese, chicken ten- ders, green salad and a roll, with pickles and olives on the tables. Our head cook, Amber, brought out the des- sert first, which was peach cobbler, so those who were waiting could eat their des- sert first! Ha, ha, it was deli- cious! Those who had to be gone surely missed a great meal. We regret to inform you that our assistant cook, Bar- bara, is leaving to assume the same position in John Day. We thank her for her excel- lent service to us here and wish her much success in her new position. The piano man, David Seacord, has returned for the summer and came and played “dinner music” for us. As he was playing, I was think- ing about how that partic- ular piano came to be here. In the late ‘60s, Bible Bap- tist Church (as it was known then) was offered this piano by Robert (Bob) and Donna Kimberling. I played it for years in the old sanctu- ary until it got moved to the Teen Center, and then it was donated to the senior citizens. It still sounds good! We made two trips out of town for medical appoint- ments and had to drive through snow flurries over Dixie both times! The snow measure pole still shows at least 3 feet on top of the pass. April — the month of any kind of weather. We drove through rain, almost hail, snow, wind and sunshine on the way back from Ontario. The big news from that trip is that I finally had to submit to progress, get out of the car and fill up my own gas tank. After 60 years of driving, I guess that’s a milestone. The paradox is that when gas was 30 cents a gallon, there was all kinds of service. Now at $3, there is none. Something isn’t computing in that equa- tion. Then I saw that the day I did that was “walk on your wild side” day. No comment. Some trivia for your con- sideration: Inventor and busi- nessman Thomas Edison only received three months of for- mal education, no comment. Babe Ruth held the record for most home runs, but he also held the record for most strikeouts. Ponder that. Psalm 111:2 “Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.” EO Media Group file photo Guided wildflower hikes are planned on Mother’s Day at the Painted Hills. Ranger-led wildflower hikes planned at Painted Hills for Mother’s Day Wildflowers at Painted Hills typically peak in mid-May, just in time for a Mother’s Day hike. The heavy winter snows and deluge of spring rain may make this wildflower sea- son at Painted Hills one to remember. Ranger-led hikes will take place on Mother’s Day, May 12. “The channels within the hillsides will be abloom with yellow riv- ers of wildflowers includ- ing the golden bee cleome and John Day Chaenac- tis,” Superintendent Patrick Gamman said in a press release. “Take a guided hike this Mother’s Day to revel in these views.” Wildflower photogra- phy enthusiasts can join a walk from 7-9 a.m. with frequent and potentially long stops. Ancient Oregon’s past will be the focus from 10 a.m. to noon, with des- ignated stops along the path for discussion and discovery. Both hikes will journey through areas of the park that are normally off-lim- its to the public. This free program takes place along uneven terrain with varying surfaces. The trail gains 400 feet in elevation, traverses steep, vegetated hills and is about 2 miles in length. Children should be at least 5 years old to attend. Participants are encour- aged to wear long pants and sturdy shoes with ankle protection. Bring plenty of water, sun protection, snacks and a camera. Pets are not allowed on these guided hikes, and children cannot be carried or pushed in a stroller. Each walk is limited to 20 people, and spots can be reserved by calling 541-987-2333 or e-mailing joda_interpretation@nps. gov. Last year, both hikes filled to capacity. The summer’s full schedule of daily walks and talks begins on June 1. Additional special events are planned throughout the summer. Visitors should check the monument’s website at nps.gov/joda or call the visitor center at 541-987-2333 for more information. Church Services In Grant County Tuesdays at 6:30PM Use Main Entry Front Doors 106280
