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
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