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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 2016)
A14 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 FROM PAGE A1 RENT: continued from Page STAFF PHOTO BY GARY L. WEST Stefan Matheny, director of sales for River Point Farms, talks about the Hermiston Sweets onion variety produced and package by the farm. With Matheny are Jonathan Miller, plant manager for the fresh pack facility, and Mackenzie Mills, who works in sales and account management for River Point Farms. SWEETS: continued from Page A1 River Point Farms is the largest onion producer in the country, farming more than 6,000 acres around the region. Sweet onions make up just 5-10 percent of what’s planted, though or- ders usually sell for $3-$5 more than regular onions, depending on the markets. Though they’re close in terms of distance, Matheny said Hermiston Sweets don’t compete directly against Walla Walla sweet onions. Walla Walla Sweets are largely grown over win- ter, he said, while Hermis- ton Sweets aren’t planted until February or March, meaning they hit shelves later in the year. The result makes for a smooth transition from one Northwest-grown sweet onion to the next, Matheny said. Hermiston Sweets are also grown using a different type of seed, which gives them more of a globe shape and darker, tighter skin. Jonathan Miller, who runs the production line at River Point’s fresh pack facility, said this year’s har- vest has been one of the best in years. Mild temperatures over the spring and summer made for excellent growing conditions, he said. “Two weeks ago is when we really hit our busy sea- A Two-Day Wine Event September 16 & 17 son,” Miller said. As for Hermiston wa- termelons, Jack Bellinger of Bellinger Farms said they also just inished up their busiest August ever. The mild weather actually delayed the start of melon harvest by several weeks, Bellinger said, but that seemed to have no effect on quality. “It was a better than average year,” he said. “We’ve sent out quite a few loads for our Labor Day push.” By sharing the Herm- iston name, Matheny said he feels they’ve been able to help grow awareness for local agriculture as a whole. “I think it’s kind of helped grow awareness of the versatility of commod- ities that can be grown in this area,” he said. things like paperwork and inventorying sup- plies. “My biggest chal- lenge every year is try- ing to get volunteers,” Rossell said. “People are very generous with writing a check or do- nating hot chocolate but we really need adults able to volunteer.” She said she hopes they will be able to add some new services this year, such as vouchers for rides and showers. Last winter and spring a number of homeless campers were evicted from several popular but illegal en- campments, including one along River Road near Umatilla. At the time the people evicted said they did not know where they would go or whether they would stay in the area, but Rossell said that should not have much of an effect on the Warming Station’s num- bers because the people who use the shelter tend to be recently evicted or otherwise newly home- less and not established in a tent. For more informa- tion about volunteer- ing or leasing a space to the nonprofit visit the Hermiston Warm- ing Station Facebook page or contact Rossell at 541-720-1146. Ride the Wine & Cheese Train! Saturday, October 1 Featuring Copper Belt Winery, hŵĂƉŝŶĞƌĞĂŵĞƌLJĂŶĚWĞƚĞƌƐŽŶ͛ƐŚŽĐŽůĂƟĞƌ Eagle Cap Excursion Train 800.323.7330 or tickets online eaglecaptrainrides.com Mount Angel Oktoberfest September 15-18, 2016 Learn about Germanic Culture: Benham Hall at SHARC Sunriver Oregon Wineries Creameries • Chocolatiers Complimentary Classes Music & More sunriversharc.com/calendar Presented by the Sunriver Owners Association & sponsored by: Title / Lodging Sponsor • Visit the Maibaum and Glockenspiel at the center of the village • Enjoy the beauty of the Die Fruchtsäule • German folk dancing, costumes and bands • Enjoy the Webertanz performed by the Mt. Angel School Children 4EWWTSVXXS+IVQER]VEJ¾I courtesy Lufthansa • All Free Kindergarten – Friday, Saturday and Sunday • Biers brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot, (German Purity Law) and innovative craft beers The next 50 years, our future www.oktoberfest.org Mount Angel, Oregon Rotating Taps of Local and Regional Beers Food BY Gaia World Eats and Pork Wind & Fire $5 ENTRY lawn games lAWN CHAIRS WELCOME 21+ No Dogs or CoOlers Inside the Festival 240 SW 1st ST STEVENSON, WA WWW.WALKINGMANBEER.COM Back to School Photos 2016/2017 AVAILABLE FOR PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL Schedule now for this amazing opportunity to step outside the traditional School Photos Limited Appointments: Now until September 30th Your Outdoor Mini Session Includes: 1) 8x10 2) 5x7 8) Wallets All for only $35.00 Add on’s Avilable: Memoris Made by Jammie on Facebook 1) 8x10 $12 2) 5x7 $12 8) Wallets $12 or Call Jammie Duckett at 541.620.4100 4) 4x6 $12 1) Button $12 CD of 3 Images $425 www.memoriesmadebyjammie.com The 36th Annual Hells Canyon Mule Days September 9th-10th-11th Wallowa County Fairgrounds Enterprise, Oregon 541-436-3271 • 541-263-0104 WWW.HELLSCANYHONMULEDAYS.COM
