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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 29, 2020)
A2 FAMILY Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, July 29, 2020 Organizers weave fiber fest together despite COVID-19 restrictions By Rudy Diaz Blue Mountain Eagle While many fiber festivals around Oregon were canceled due to COVID-19, organizers from the Prairie City Fiber Fest worked arduously to maintain a COVID-19-compliant event while giving people a chance to learn, talk, sell and work with fiber. Ginger Shive, the festi- val director, said vendors were pleased with the festival this year and that several of them already signed up for next year. “What is really cool is a lot of the vendors I was visiting with last night said, ‘Oh my gosh, you guys are really throw- ing the gauntlet down this year to all the other festivals,” Shive said. Vendors told Shive that a combination of the “EWENIQUE” social hour and the organization of the event made the experience great and safe at the same time. Shive added that Prairie City Mayor Jim Hamsher went to the festival on July 25 by surprise and counted the number of peo- ple at the park across from city hall and verified that the event was compliant. “It was a surprise when he came to inspect, but I am happy we were compliant,” Shive said. The event provided a chance to see people spin fiber, cre- ate items such as rugs, slippers and blankets from fiber at work- shops and buy or sell various types of fiber at different stages. Shive said people from around Oregon and neighbor- ing states came to be a part of the event. Elizabeth Kulick from Salem said the event was awe- The Eagle/Rudy Diaz Nancy Harris, left, and Eloise Boren, right, felt a sheep during a workshop provided by LeBrie Rich at the Prairie City Fiber Fest. some and that everybody was friendly. The highlight for Kulick was the workshops and learning about fiber and felting, which focuses on compressing loose fibers to create an item. “I’m kind of new to felting, so it was nice to get tips and more,” Kulick said. Kulick said she had the chance to felt her own slippers at one of the workshops, which was a great experience. Malheur National Forest implements Phase B fire restrictions ODF increases restrictions Blue Mountain Eagle Fire danger is high across the Malheur National For- est, so the forest implemented Phase B of public use restric- tions and an Industrial Fire Precaution Level of II Friday. High fire danger means fires can start easily from most causes and small fuels will ignite readily. Under IFPL II, power saws (except at loading sites), cable yarding and welding or cutting of metal are only allowed between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. It does not regulate any recreational or firewood cutting activities. Phase B of public use restrictions prohibit: 1. Building, maintain- ing, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal bri- quette or stove fire, except within a developed recreation site, listed on the Malheur National Forest website. 2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or build- ing, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an Eagle file photo The Forest Service and Oregon Department of Forestry have increased public use restric- tions to reduce the risk of fires. area at least three feet in diam- eter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 3. Operating a chainsaw between the hours of 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saw operators are required to have a shovel (8 inches wide, 26 inches in length), and fire extinguisher (minimum ABC 8 oz.) in their possession. A one-hour fire watch is required after saw operations cease. Gen- erators are allowed when located in a location cleared Mary Jo Beebe January 6, 1938 ~ July 14, 2020 On Tuesday July 14, 2020 Mary Jo Beebe (Jody) , loving mother of four children passed away at home at the age of 82. Jody was born on January 6, 1938 in Lead Mine, Missouri to Ova and Nancy Garrison. She graduated high school in Dayville, Oregon in 1955. Jody married Wil- lis (Bump ) Stafford in 1956. Together they had four sons Mark, Milton, Samuel, and Michael. In 1985 She married Rodney C. Beebe and their family grew to include Marcy Kimler, Penny and Ronnie Keys, Stan and An- drea Beebe, along with more grandchildren, Chrystin, Kyle, Taylor Beebe, Ashley and Kyle Klayton Kimler, Jason Beebe, Jake Keys. Along with great grandchildren Addy,Christie, Bella, Emma,Adain and Jack. They bought a farm on Peppermint lane in Prineville and lived out their dream raising cattle, farming and living their best life. Attending auctions and working their farm together. Jody had a passion for gardening, yard saling,gambling, and everything that involved her children and grandchildren. She was known for her quick wit, infectious laugh and her kind and compassionate spirit. Jody was preceded in death by her father Ova, her mother Nancy, brothers Edd and Tommie, Sisters Thelma, Clara, Irene, adn Margie along with her son Milton Stafford and great grand- daughter Hope Stafford. She is survived by her sons Mark, Sammy and Michael Stafford. Daughter-in laws Marla, Amy and LaDonna. Grandchildren Micalene, Marissa , Mason, Kathrine, Austin, Darcey, Cully, Dayton, Bonhan, Betsy, Kya Jo, Gage, Kacie, Kel- sie, Gabe and Gavin. Great grandchildren, Bellarae, Lige Mark, Lucky, Letty, Hazey, Early, Destry, McCrae, Michael Bump, Oliver and Charlotte. It was by her request that every single family member was ac- knowledged, the names you have read above were her pride and joy and she loved each and everyone with all that she had,, al- ways will. If you were ever a part of Jody’s life please join us for a grave- side service July 31, 2020 at 10 AM at Juniper Haven Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Prineville Funeral HOme. Please visit www.Prinevillefuneralhome.com to share your memories and express your condolences by signing the online guest book. Paid for by the family of Mary Beebe of flammable material in an area at least 10 feet in diam- eter and with an approved spark arrestor. 4. Operating or using any internal or external combus- tion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order. 5. Possessing or using a vehicle off National Forest System roads, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway. For more information, call 541-575-3000. The Umatilla and Wal- lowa-Whitman national for- ests have implemented Phase A of public use restrictions, limiting chainsaw use, smok- ing and off-road travel. Oregon Department of Forestry Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District increased restric- tions Monday. These restric- tions are intended to reduce the risk of fire ignition on lands within the Central Ore- gon District in Lake, Harney, Deschutes, Crook, Wasco, Hood River, Grant, Wheeler, Highway construction starts Aug. 3 Blue Mountain Eagle Expect lane closures, day and nighttime flaggers, pilot cars, loose rock on the road and delays up to 20 minutes along several state highway sections in Baker and Grant counties starting Aug. 3. Oregon Department of Transportation crews will be resurfacing sections of Oregon Highway 7 (Whit- ney Highway), Highway 410 (Sumpter Highway), U.S. Highway 26 (John Day Highway) and U.S. Highway 395 (John Day-Burns High- way) in the areas of Baker and Grant counties. For updated road condi- tions, check tripcheck.com, or call 511 or 800-977-6368. the fiber and blend them with different wools. She said the organizers and people at the event have been wonderful. She was glad the festival came to fruition since many other events had to cancel due to COVID-19. “We kept waiting for it to cancel like everything else,” she said. “But we’re glad we’re hav- ing it, and we’ve all been com- pliant. That’s the big thing. You can’t stop living because of this (COVID-19). Take the precau- tions you need and enjoy life.” She added that the organiz- ers did well in protecting par- ticipants at the festival and the community by providing masks and having multiple stations where hand sanitizer was read- ily available. Proceeds from this year’s event will go toward Grant County 4-H and FFA programs. Grant County Republican Central Committee meeting planned July 30 Blue Mountain Eagle The Grant County Republican Central Committee meeting will take place from 3-5 p.m. Thursday, July 30, in the meet- ing room at OTC Connections in John Day. The public is wel- come to attend. For more information, contact Secretary Ross- ella Pogue at 541-934-2032. OBITUARIES Earl Randall ‘Randy’ Sweek Earl Randall “Randy” Sweek was born in Pendleton, Oregon, to Pauline Grace Peterson and Jack Orlon Sweek on Feb. 28, 1952. Randy spent much of his life in Monument, graduating high school there and raising a family of his own. Randy spent a 30-year career with the Columbia Power Co-Op as a lineman, a job in which he excelled and enjoyed. He also opened a photography studio in John Day for a period of time and spent about 10 years working winters up at Mt. Bachelor. It was there that a mutual friend intro- duced Randy to Jackie Oakley, a wonder- ful woman he took to be his wife. They were married on March 31, 1990, on their 100 acres just outside of Monument. They went on to have one son, Gabriel Sweek, whom Randy was ever so proud of. Outside of work, Randy spent his time enjoying the finest things life had to offer. Those things include woodworking, photography, golf, fishing and hunting. He also very much enjoyed traveling, especially traveling to Mexico, where he made friends that today are considered family. Randy passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in Bend, Ore- gon. He’s leaving behind his wife, Jackie Oakley; his son, Gabriel Sweek; and the many others who adored him and his genuine nature. He is preceded in death by both parents, Jack and Pauline Sweek. A gathering in memory of Randy will be determined and held at a later date. Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family. Visit niswonger-reynolds.com for updated details. MaryLu Horton MaryLu Horton, 81, of John Day died Thursday, July 23, at her home. Arrangements are under the direction of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Online condolences can be shared at tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com. David Leslie Crane March 9, 1941 ~ July 17, 2020 Paid for by the family of David Crane Dangerous Dave Crane went home to be with the Lord on 7-17-2020 at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, AK. He died of congestive heart failure. Although his last days were not the golden years he had conjured up in his mind, he was peaceful and ready to go home to Jesus. Dave was born on March 9, 1941 in Eugene, OR to Andrew Leslie Crane and Wanda Larue (Johnson) Crane. He grew up in the Curtain and Springfield areas and graduated from Redmond Union High School in 1959. In his early years, he built houses with his dad in Terrebonne, OR. In 1973, he and Carolyn (Leamen) moved to Mt. Vernon, OR, where they continued to raise their five children. They established Crane Built, Inc. building supply store which they operated for several years. In 1977, they built their dream log home up Laycock Creek. During that time, Dave worked for Cate’s Logging, the US Forest Service, and Malhauer National Forest brush piling. He always enjoyed the solitude of being out in the woods with his family, whether he was working, camping, fishing, or hunting. He liked adventure, which eventually drew him to Alaska in 1981, originally working in Seward with Bill McDonald salvaging boats and aircraft. He eventually settled in Soldotna and married Marcia (Smith) Crane in 1997. Over the years he worked various jobs at RL’s, Sue Crane Construction, Hydra-Pak packaged firewood, and R&L Enterprises. While he never really retired, working with heavy equipment was always his adventure and joy. Dave is survived by his wife Marcia (Smith) Crane, his sons Kelly David Crane of Sterling, AK, Randy (Lori lee) Crane of St. Petersburg, FL. Daughters: Lesley (Robbie) Quelland of Soldotna, AK, Angie (Guy) Johnson ofMt. Vernon, OR, Crystal (Bill) Costello of Vine Grove, KY. Sisters: Andrea (Gene) Moyer of AK and AZ, Jeannie Larue Mansfield of Rigby, ID, Susie (Craig) Davis of Powell Butte, OR and brother Steve (Sue) Crane of Soldotna, AK. He was known to his kids and grandkids as Papa Dave and is survived by 20 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; one nephew, Cory Mansfield; and his very good friend, Chuck Mansfield, who passed away on the same date in 2013. “I was proud of him, his abilities to build and tinker, his patience, and I never heard him say a bad word. I loved being his wife and will miss him dearly. He was always proud of his kids and grandkids.” - Marcia Crane No service is planned per his wishes, and his ashes will be scattered at a later date. The family would like to thank PCHS, Dr. Mcintosh, Margaret Johnson of AK Heart Institute, and the staff of CPH and CES for their kind, compassionate care over the years. S200711-1 S200287-1 Last Week’s Temps John Day ...........................................................HI/LO Tuesday ........................................................... 98/61 Wednesday ..................................................... 96/64 Thursday .......................................................... 86/61 Friday ............................................................... 87/53 Saturday .......................................................... 86/51 Sunday ............................................................. 94/51 Monday............................................................ 96/58 24/7 F ORECAST A UTOMATED : 541-575-1122 R OAD CONDITIONS : 511; TRIPCHECK . COM NOAA W EATHER R ADIO FOR J OHN D AY 162.500 MHz Gilliam, Jefferson, Morrow and Umatilla counties. The regulated-use clo- sure restricts many high- risk activities between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., prohibits activities such as blasting, in addition to restricting other activities. Anyone traveling on for- ested roads is required to have one shovel and one gallon of water (or a 2.5- pound fire extinguisher). Industrial forest opera- tions in the John Day and Prineville units of the Cen- tral Oregon District will have “Additional Fire Prevention Requirements” in place to reduce the risk of fire igni- tion. Mechanized harvesters with rotary saws, chainsaws, tracked felling and skidding equipment, slash buster/mas- tication equipment and cable yarding systems will be restricted between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Watch- man service is required for all industrial operations. All other fire season restrictions remain in effect. Full details of the closure and restrictions of industrial activities are available at odfcentraloregon.com. Nancy Harris, a new board member for the festival, said felting was something that she wanted to do for a while and the fiber fest gave her the chance to felt with assistance from LeBrie Rich, the instructor for the felt- ing workshop. Rich, who traveled to the festival from Portland, said the amount of knowledge present at the event was amazing. “There’s so much knowl- edge here, and I think that’s something about the fiber fes- tival here that’s amazing,” Rich said. “The people who come here spin, dye, weave, own goats, own sheep and do fiber arts. The collective knowledge here is amazing, and that’s why I like coming here.” Dianne Wright, a vendor from Weiser, Idaho, has alpacas with her husband. They raise their alpacas, shear them, die W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF J ULY 29 - A UG . 4 Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Sunny Hot Hot Sunny Sunny Sunny Sunny 94 94 92 91 57 56 48 48 99 65 102 100 63 57