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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 2020)
COMMUNITY MyEagleNews.com Wednesday, December 9, 2020 A3 Contributed photo/Thomas Dekany The Rude Logging entry in the 2018 Timber Truckers parade in John Day on Dec. 8 won first place in the timber category and second place in the people’s choice as well as the sweep- stakes award. Timber Truckers parade hauls in Christmas spirit The parade will be on Dec. 12 The Eagle/Rudy Diaz Santa and Mrs. Claus cruise through Prairie City and greet many with holiday cheers as Taci Phillbrook drives the duo Saturday at Christmas on the Prairie. Santa and Mrs. Claus cruise into Christmas on the Prairie Adjusted event gets people out of the house and in the holiday spirit By Rudy Diaz Blue Mountain Eagle Bazaars, sales, scaven- ger hunts and a cruising Santa Claus spread cheer at Christ- mas on the Prairie Saturday. Santa and Mrs. Claus cruised through Prairie City on their white convertible Mustang as a bright blue sky and scintillating sun shone the way. They waved to commu- nity members and passed out wristbands that said a person made the “Nice List.” Joanna White, a worker at Bar WB Western Wear, said she was happy kids were able to see Santa. “Even though it was drive-by, they were thrilled that kids could see Santa Claus. For the children, it’s a highlight for them,” White said. A Great Christmas Song Scavenger Hunt had people walking around Prairie City and looking for Christmas song lyrics hidden at 15 busi- nesses. After finding the lyr- ics, people then matched the lyrics to the song it came from. Prairie City residents Carla Wright and Arleene Lynch walked around town and talked to many business own- ers to locate the hidden lyrics. “We’ve enjoyed the event because we’ve seen people we haven’t seen for a long time,” Wright said. “It’s taken us two hours (to complete the scaven- ger hunt) because we stop and visit with people. We’ve been so isolated that this has been a joy.” There were also gifts at bazaars and stores the com- munity could hunt for. Jolynn Swartzendruber, who was selling handcrafted items at The Eagle/Rudy Diaz Jolynn and Ted Swartzendruber were selling a variety of items made by the family at Christmas on the Prairie. organizer, said it was a good day. “It’s just fun having the people moving around to the stores and having Santa come, which was big for the kids,” she said. The Eagle/Rudy Diaz Christmas lyrics were hidden at many different businesses for scavenger hunters to locate at Saturday’s Christmas on the Prairie. the bazaar in the community center with her husband, Ted, enjoyed seeing people get- ting together and the various items provided from each of the vendors. “We’re really happy to have the bazaar here, and there’s been some people coming in and going,” Swart- zendruber said. Judy Jacobs, owner of Roan Out West, said while it was a different Christmas on the Prairie this year, many people have came together to try their best in making the most out of the event this year, espe- cially since many kids activi- ties were cancelled because of COVID-19 restrictions. Wanda Winegar, an event OUTPATIENT EAR AND FOOT CLINIC 422 West Main John Day OR, 97845 Regular and High Risk Foot Care done by specially trained RN or CNA. Ears are examined and cleaned by Registered Nurses. The Timber Truckers parade plans to haul in holiday cheer this year with the theme of “Grant County Strong” at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, on Main Street in John Day. Leslie Traylor, an orga- nizer for the parade, said this year the event will see some differences due to COVID-19. The organizers of the Tim- ber Truckers event did not solicit money from merchants for prizes due to the economic impact from the pandemic. There will also be no awards banquet following the parade at the Elks Lodge. Even with the changes, Traylor said the parade got a good response from the com- munity that is making the parade possible this year. “I can’t guarantee that we’ll have as many (vehicles) as we have on a normal year, but it’s like the fair parade was the same way,” Traylor said. “We thought we would try it, and we had a great turnout for the fair parade. Hopefully we’ll have a good turnout for Timber Truckers.” Traylor said Timber Truck- ers will continue the tradi- tion, which began on Dec. 11, 1993, that signaled the start of Christmas season. She said there will be something for everybody at the parade including an appearance of the jolly guy The Eagle/Richard Hanners Horns blared and lights flashed as the 2018 Timber Truckers parade ran down Main Street in John Day on Dec. 8. himself, Santa Claus. Along with an abundance of lights, the parade this year gives the county a chance to be united during a special time of year, according to Traylor. “We need something now, more than ever, to unite us as a community,” Traylor said. “Christmas is that special time of year where you see the very best in people, and to have something to celebrate our community, that’s why we decided to try to have a parade this year. People need it.” People interested in driv- ing in the parade can register from 3-5:30 p.m. on the day of the event west of the Sinclair gas station on Highway 26 at the property formerly owned by Grant Western Lumber Company. There is no regis- tration fee, but a donation box will be available. While there are no prizes this year, registration will be important so numbers can be put on each vehicle. The Timber Truckers organizers are planning to try to stream the parade on Facebook and the numbers would help in identifying each vehicle. Holiday Shop Dining Grant County! & Lodging • 1188 Brewing Co. • American’s Best Value Inn • The Austin House & Country Store • Best Western Inn • Boulder Creek Ranch • Budget 8 Motel • Canyon House,LLC • Cowboy Cottages • Dairy Queen • Depot Park RV Park • Dreamer’s Lodge • Field’s Grass Fed Beef • Figaro’s • Fish House Inn and RV Park • Grant County Fairgrounds RV Park • Grant County Senior Center • The Grubsteak Mining Company • Hotel Prairie • Java Jungle • John Day Motel • John Day Valley Rentals • Lands Inn • Log Cabin Espresso • Long Creek Lodge • Monument Motel & RV Park • The Outpost Pizza, Pub & Grill • Pine Shadows Resort • Seneca Timbers Inn & RV Park • Silvies Valley Links & Retreat • Squeeze Inn Restaurant & Deck • Subway of John Day • Victorian Land Bed & Breakfast Watch for new members each week! S197702-1 Open Mon. - Thurs. 8AM - 4PM By Rudy Diaz Blue Mountain Eagle Call to make an appointment today! 541-575-1648 S216708-1 Grant County Chamber of Commerce 301 W Main St., John Day, OR 97845 541.575.0547 www.gcoregonlive.com