A2
FAMILY
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
BRIEFLY
Local students
earn degrees
from EOU
Eastern Oregon Univer-
sity awarded 389 degrees
during the 2020-2021 aca-
demic year, including fi ve
students from Grant County.
Heather Mosley of Can-
yon City earned a Bache-
lor of Science in multidisci-
plinary studies.
Avery Lenz of John Day
earned a Bachelor of Sci-
ence in physical activity and
health.
Shawna Oates of John
Day earned a Master of Arts
in teaching in elementary
education.
Breanna Wilson of John
Day earned a Master of Arts
in teaching in secondary
education.
Tina McCormick of Sen-
eca earned a Master of Arts
in teaching in elementary
education.
ley, education and multi-
disciplinary studies, Joce-
lynn Smith, arts, humanities
and social science, anthro-
pology/sociology,
sci-
ence, technology, math and
health science and health
and human performance, of
Canyon City; Avery Lenz,
science, technology, math
and health science, physical
activity and health, Fallon
Weaver, arts, humanities and
social science, interdisci-
plinary studies, of John Day;
James Hercher, arts, human-
ities and social science,
anthropology/sociology, of
Long Creek; Rachel Henry,
science, technology, math
and health science, general
studies, Andrew Lusco, arts
humanities and social sci-
ence, history, of Mt. Vernon;
and Brianna Zweygardt,
agriculture, chemistry-bio-
chemistry, of Prairie City.
The Eagle/Steven Mitchell
Vaux swifts make a pit stop at the John Day Elks Lodge on Aug. 21 as they begin their fall migration from the Yukon Territory to Cen-
tral America.
Fundraising
workshop for
EOU announces nonprofi ts
spring dean’s list planned Sept. 21
Eastern Oregon Univer-
sity named 556 students to
the dean’s list for the 2021
spring term. Qualifying stu-
dents achieve and maintain a
grade point average of 3.5 or
higher on a 4.0 scale while
completing a minimum of
12 hours of graded EOU
coursework.
Students from Grant
County named to the list
include Heather Mos-
FOR THE BIRDS
Elks Lodge chimney
serves as major
roosting site for
Vaux’s swifts
Grant County Economic
Development along with
Kim Ryals from Cause Ore-
gon will hosting a fundrais-
ing workshop for nonprofi t
organizations from 11 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 21.
This is a free event for
Grant County residents.
To register, visit cau-
seoregon.com
or
call
541-575-1555.
By Steven Mitchell
Blue Mountain Eagle
Thousands of Vaux’s swifts
decided the chimney of the
John Day Elks Lodge would
make a nice pit stop on their
annual migration south to Gua-
temala as they have done for
years.
Larry Schwitters, a project
coordinator with the Audubon
Editor’s note
This edition was built Friday before the weekend’s
sports contests. Look for sports results in next week’s
edition.
Society’s “Vaux’s Happening”
study group, said the John Day
Elks Lodge is one of 30 roost-
ing sites in North America for
the neotropical Vaux swift.
Schwitters said the reason
why the swifts roost together
in chimneys like the John Day
Elks Lodge is to keep warm
during their fall migration.
He said the more birds
they can get together, the
warmer it will be in the
morning as they continue
their journey to Guatemala.
Scwhitters said they begin
the migration almost from the
Yukon Territory.
Grant County resident
Tom Winters, a member of the
John Day Elks Lodge and the
Grant County Bird Club, said
the swifts have been coming
through John Day for as far
back as he can remember.
He said the primary roost-
ing site was the old hotel on
Dayton Street behind what
used to be a Ford garage, but
he said that was closed off , and
the Elks Lodge became a sec-
ondary site for the swifts.
He said that the swifts
started to make the Elks Lodge
their leading site over the years.
Winters said now the chim-
ney at the Elks Lodge is one of
the most critical roosting sites
in Eastern Oregon and one of
the top 10 in Oregon and possi-
bly the Northwest.
Winters said the Grant
County Bird Club, which
has existed since 1985, pays
for the cleaning of the Elks
Lodge’s chimney to maintain
it as a roosting site for the Vaux
swifts.
He said the chimney has
dual use as both a heating
source for the lodge and a
roosting site in the fall months
for the birds.
Winters said the Elks Lodge
chimney gives another “little
bit of signifi cance” for Grant
County.
ANNIVERSARY
Mary and Ted Ferrioli
Robert Burl McCumber
Mary and Ted Ferrioli
celebrated their 50th wed-
ding anniversary with a
weekend trip to Pacifi c City
attended by their children
and grandchildren. The cou-
ple were married Sept. 4,
1971, at St. Edmunds Chapel
near the Tualatin river, Fr.
John R. Laidlaw offi ciating.
The Salem couple is
retired, he from 31 years
of public service including
seven years on the Creswell
City Council, 21 years in
the Oregon State Senate and
three years on the Northwest
Power Planning Council, and
she from 28 years as a legal
secretary in Eugene and as
August 21, 2021
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A UTOMATED : 541-575-1122
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Contributed photo
Mary and Ted Ferrioli
August slightly
colder than normal
Blue Mountain Eagle
County Court Secretary for
Grant County, Oregon.
Debbie Ausmus
245 South Canyon Blvd.
John Day, OR 97845
OPEN WED. & THUR.
9 am - 5 pm
541-575-1113
24 hrs/7 days wk
debbie.ausmus@
countryfinancial.com
S258724-1
Michael B. DesJardin
Dentistry, PC
Temperatures in John Day
averaged slightly colder than
normal during the month of
August, according to prelim-
inary data received by the
National Weather Service.
The average tempera-
ture was 66.5 degrees, which
was 1.7 degrees below nor-
mal. High temperatures aver-
aged 85.3 degrees, which was
2.9 degrees below normal.
The highest was 99 degrees
on Aug. 16. Low tempera-
tures averaged 47.8 degrees,
which was 0.5 degrees below
normal. The lowest was 35
degrees on Aug. 24.
On 12 days, the tempera-
ture exceeded 90 degrees.
Precipitation totaled 0.01
inches during August, which
was 0.63 inches below nor-
mal. Measurable precipitation
was received on one day.
Precipitation this year has
reached 3.17 inches, which
is 5.79 inches below normal.
Since October, the water year
precipitation at John Day has
been 4.54 inches, which is 8
inches below normal.
The outlook for Septem-
ber calls for above normal
temperatures and below-nor-
mal precipitation. Normal
highs for John Day fall from
84 degrees at the start of Sep-
tember to 73 degrees at the
end of September. Normal
lows fall from 45 degrees
to 37 degrees. The 30-year
normal precipitation is 0.63
inches.
Preventive, Restorative & Endodontics
New Patients
Welcome!
208 NW Canton
John Day
541-575-2725
mbddental@live.com
michaelbdesjardinmd.com
S248965-1
Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Tuesday ........................................................... 76/44
Wednesday ..................................................... 76/40
Thursday .......................................................... 77/40
Friday ............................................................... 82/42
Saturday .......................................................... 88/47
Sunday ............................................................. 89/52
Monday............................................................ 91/55
Contributed image
August was slightly colder than normal in John Day.
S260679-1
Robert Burl McCumber, age 74, left
this world on August 31, 2021, at his
home in Mt. Vernon Oregon surround-
ed by family. A graveside service will
be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, Sep-
tember 5th at the
Moon Creek Ceme-
tery, west of Mount
Vernon.  Full mili-
tary honors will be
provided in respect
and appreciation
for his 34 years
of service to our
country.  Friends
will be invited to
join the family for a
reception following the ceremony.
Robert was born the youngest of 5 children in La Grande, Or-
egon to Frank (Dick) and Hilda McCumber. The family moved
from the Baker valley to the town of Mt. Vernon, Oregon in 1950.
Robert grew up in Mt. Vernon making lifelong friends and con-
nections.
Robert served in the US Army for 34 years. His service in-
cluded being in Korea during the Vietnam War, stationed at Fort
Carson, Colorado, was a Drill Instructor at Fort Gordan, Georgia,
stationed with the US Army in Berlin, Germany and stationed with
the US Army in Anchorage, Alaska. Robert finished out his mil-
itary career in the US Army Reserve. Robert was always very
proud of his time in the military and had a very strong love for his
country and community.
After leaving the active-duty military Robert and family moved
back to the town of Mt. Vernon in Oregon. Robert had various
jobs throughout his post military life including, log truck driver,
car salesman, propane truck driver, and Highway Maintenance
Specialist for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Robert
retired from the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Robert was always there to serve and help others. Through-
out his life he helped many, many people with their journey to
sobriety. Robert spent many years as a volunteer Emergency
Medical Technician (EMT) and working with his wife Charlotte
training countless people life saving CPR/First Aid.
Robert never knew a stranger; his larger-than-life energy and
amazing sense of humor touched hundreds of lives and will be
truly missed every day.
Robert was preceded in death by his father, mother, older
brother Neil McCumber and older sister Millie McCumber (Hick-
erson) (Butler).
He is survived by his brothers Roger and Lyle McCumber,
wife Charlotte McCumber, children, James McCumber, Ryan Mc-
Cumber (wife), Charissa (Rissy) Palmer, Larry Palmer (husband)
and Shawna Clark, Jamey Clark (husband). Grand children, Tra-
vis Palmer, James Robert McCumber, Audra Shaffer, Arron Palm-
er, Dereke Clark and Angle Leigh McCumber. Two great grand-
children, Mabel Clark and Amellia (Millie) Palmer.
The family would like those who wish to donate, to please
send a donation in Robert’s name to the Wounded Warrior Proj-
ect through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John
Day, OR 97845.
To offer online condolences to his family, or to light a candle in
his memory, please visit www.driskillmemorialchapel.com
STRUCTION, LL
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AW
Featuring:
•
•
•
•
•
Roofing
• General Construction
Remodeling
Fences
Decks
Storage Sheds
Andy Wolfer
541-910-6609
and
Much
More!
S258723-1
CCB#186113
W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF S EPT . 8-14
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Hazy
Hazy
Chance of
thunderstorms
Mostly
sunny
Sunny
Sunny
Sunny
94
92
84
86
82
80
86
59
53
51
51
46
38
39