A8 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2017
Our Community
E-mail your community news items to:
community@hermistonherald.com
Developing a new plan
Health challenges inspire local woman to pursue
Library exhibit
features
Ozark Hippie’s
watercolors
By TAMMY MALGESINI
COMMUNITY EDITOR
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY LUKE BARNES
When the symptoms of
rheumatoid arthritis and lu-
pus got progressively worse,
Kim La Plant went with Plan
B.
This past fall, the Hermis-
ton woman, whose art mon-
iker is Ozark Hippie, was
sitting outside trying to de-
cide what to do. As her phys-
ical pain increased, La Plant
knew it was time to make
some changes.
“Plan A was working.
Plan B was the art,” she ex-
plained. “I said, ‘I guess I’m
going to go with Plan B.’”
While pondering what
path to take, La Plant looked
down and saw what she de-
scribed as a “really cool
leaf.” She had some Dollar
Tree watercolors leftover
from a project with kids at
church and decided to pick
up a brush and paint the leaf.
Her husband, Brian, was
immediately taken aback at
how realistic the painting
was. With his encourage-
ment, La Plant dove into her
artwork
“There are times I dream
a painting and if I don’t get
up and paint it, I can’t sleep,”
she said.
Naturally creative, La
Plant has never taken formal
art classes. She previously
worked mostly with char-
coal, acrylics, carving and
woodworking, as well as
re-purposing all kinds of ob-
jects. Watercolors, she said,
are easier to work with and
she instantly fell in love with
the medium.
Members of Jilli’s Silly Walkers, including Jillian Smalley,
Kristi Smalley and Mark Smalley, hold a banner while
participating in the seventh annual Northwest Run/Walk
for Epilepsy in Hermiston.
La Plant, aka Ozark Hippie
“I’ve always been crafty,”
she said. “I can literally take
something out of someone’s
garbage and make something
of it.”
Growing up in Arkansas
in a house without running
water or electricity, La Plant
knows how to live simply and
make the most of resources
available. Initially, she con-
tinued to use inexpensive art
supplies — making due with
what was available.
After selling a commis-
sioned piece, she purchased
higher quality paper. In addi-
tion, a friend she had helped
with some interior design
work gave La Plant some
higher quality paints and
brushes.
“I was using the best I
could get, but it was a huge
difference,” she said.
La Plant is still trying to
figure out her direction with
her artwork. Shortly after
getting into watercolors,
Badder Israel, a tattoo artist
from New York City who
was opening a shop in Ken-
newick, asked La Plant to
display some of her pieces in
his shop’s art gallery. Instead
of attending the opening
show, she merely dropped
off a number of paintings
and left.
Content to spend time in
her studio — an old 1993
Bluebird school bus from
Epilepsy Walk takes
steps against disease
HERMISTON HERALD
CONTRIBUTED BY OZARK HIPPIE
“The Bond of Hope,” a watercolor by Ozark Hippie — aka
Kim La Plant. The Hermiston woman is the featured artist for
the month July at the Hermiston Public Library.
the Stanfield School District
— gardening or hanging out
with her animals and hus-
band, La Plant hasn’t devel-
oped a marketing plan. After
repeated requests from Sheri
Konningrud, La Plant finally
relented and drove Plan B
(the bus’s moniker) to Pur-
ple Ridge Lavender Festival.
The La Plants hung out in the
vendor area and sold some of
her work to festival-goers.
When recently contacted
by the Hermiston Public Li-
brary about displaying her
work for the July exhibit, La
Plant immediately said yes.
“I’ve had other people ask
me to have my art places and
I hesitate,” she said. “But I’m
a book person. I love the li-
brary.”
It should come as no sur-
prise that La Plant’s first in-
spiration to create art came
after reading. With no sup-
plies at her disposal, the
9-year-old borrowed some
colored pencils from school
and used an old piece of
wood as a canvas. She drew
a scene with a cottage after
reading “The Hobbit.”
“I kind of drew what I
thought it looked like,” she
said.
The Hermiston Public
Library is located at 235 E.
Gladys Ave. It’s open Mon-
day through Thursdays from
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday/
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. La Plant’s work will re-
main on display throughout
the month. An artist’s recep-
tion will be announced.
For more information
about the library exhibit,
call 541-567-2882. To learn
more about La Plant and her
work, search Facebook for
“Ozark Hippie.”
———
La Plant previously
worked as the office coordi-
nator at the Hermiston Her-
ald.
Shane L. Larson, a re-
search associate professor
at CIERA — the Center for
Interdisciplinary Explora-
tion and Research in Astro-
physics at the Adler Plan-
etarium in Chicago — has
presented yearly lectures in
Pendleton. During his talk,
the former La Grande man
will explore some of the
important ways that eclips-
es have helped in develop-
ing a better understanding
of the Earth and its place in
the Cosmos.
“We’ll review the basics
of total solar eclipses, and
talk about what to expect
and how to safely enjoy the
eclipse with your friends
and family,” Larson said.
Stand in the Shadow of
the Moon is Sunday, July
16 from 6-8 p.m. at The
Prodigal Son Brewery &
Pub, 230 S.E. Court Ave.,
Pendleton. There is no ad-
mission charge. People
who would like to dine at
the pub are asked to do so
before or after the presen-
tation , as food will not be
served in the theater.
For more information,
contact Matthew Barnes at
mhbvalcar@gmail.com or
541-276-6090. For more
about Larson, visit www.
writescience.wordpress.
com.
July 20. Transportation can
be arranged.
Parents are encouraged
to register their kids at
www.winacity.com or by
calling 541-720-7808.
More than 75 people
enjoyed a leisurely 1-mile
stroll beginning at McK-
enzie Park during the
Northwest Run/Walk for
Epilepsy in Hermiston
In its seventh year, the
June 17 event aims to
raise money, awareness
and support for people
who live with epilepsy/
seizure disorders.
After completing the
walk, the participants
gathered in front of The
Arc Building for a short
presentation. The Arc
president Michele Keitzke
shared information about
the services offered by the
Northwest Epilepsy Foun-
dation, including provid-
ing medications for home-
less people with seizure
disorders. Next on the
program was a testimonial
by Yaya Martinez, mother
of 22-month-old, Alexia,
who was diagnosed with
a seizure disorder shortly
after birth.
Martinez shared that
her daughter is her “Epi-
lepsy Hero” for continu-
ing to grow and thrive
despite the challenges of
living with this complex
disorder that impacts one
in 26 people. The crowd,
including many fami-
ly and friends sporting
bright pink “Team Alex-
ia” T-shirts, cheered when
Martinez declared that,
due to medications, Alex-
ia had been seizure-free
for one year.
The event raised more
than $7,000, which is
split between the Epilep-
sy Foundation and The
Arc Umatilla County.
Prior to the walk, coffee
was provided by Dutch
Bros. Coffee along with
fruit provided by Fiesta
Foods. Many local busi-
nesses provided a variety
of items resulting in door
prizes for all participants.
“It is truly amazing
how this community em-
braces this event every
year,” said Keitzke.
For more information
about epilepsy, visit www.
epilepsynw.org.
IN BRIEF
Summer reading
builds fun
The summer reading
program is continuing at
the Echo Public Library.
The activities take place
Fridays at 2 p.m. With a
theme of “Build A Better
World,” activities are Fri-
days at 2 p.m. The topics
for upcoming programs
are: Build Cork “Log”
Cabins (July 14), Fairies:
Make fairy houses (July
21) and Manners (July 28).
Also, participants should
turn in their reading logs
during the July 28 pro-
gram.
The closing celebration
is Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. with a
party, awards and a presen-
tation by Christopher Lee-
brick, an award-winning
Oregon storyteller. It will
be held in the city hall au-
ditorium.
For more information,
call 541-376-8411.
Expo event connects
military veterans
Live entertainment, mil-
itary displays, a food tent, a
kids’ area and information-
al booths are featured at the
Veteran Benefit Expo.
Organized by the Ore-
gon Department of Veter-
ans’ Affairs, more than 75
booths will provide infor-
mation about services avail-
able to veterans and their
families. The event, which
rotates venues each year,
also features a career fair.
The expo is Saturday, July
15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at
the Deschutes Fair & Expo
Center in Redmond. There
is no admission charge.
The entertainment line-
up includes the acoustic/
folk sounds of DD214s, the
rockin’ of Got Your Six and
multi-faceted entertainer/
comedian Juan Canopii.
For more information,
contact Tyler Francke
at 503-373-2389, tyler.
francke@state.or.us or visit
www.expo.oregondva.com.
Sensory shows offer
special movie viewing
A special screening of
“Despicable Me 3” pro-
vides a comfortable atmo-
sphere with the lights up a
little, the volume down and
the flexibility for audience
members to move around.
The Arc of Umatil-
la County in conjunction
with Hermiston Stadium
8 Cinema offers the sen-
sory-friendly
showing.
Those with special needs
and their families or care-
givers are invited to attend.
The special show time is
Saturday, July 15 with the
doors opening at 10 a.m.
at 355 W. Theater Lane,
off Highway 395 in Herm-
iston. The movie starts at
10:30 a.m. and costs $5 per
person.
The Arc advocates for
the rights of children and
adults with intellectual and
developmental disabilities.
For more information about
programs, services and ac-
tivities, call 541-567-7615
or visit www.facebook.
com/arcofumatillacounty.
Astronomer to shed
light on eclipses
An upcoming astrono-
my talk will provide insight
about the Aug. 21 total so-
lar eclipse.
Living Faith plans
kids’ pep rally
Children ages 3-12 are
invited to participate in a
faith-based kids’ festival.
Victory! The Ultimate
Pep Rally kicks off Sunday,
July 16 from 6-8:30 p.m. at
Living Faith Church, 1611
Diagonal Blvd., Hermiston.
The free event continues
nightly through Thursday,
Cunnington belts out
tunes in park series
Known for her sultry
vocal tone, Melissa Cun-
nington is a professional
vocalist who studied vocal
music in college and has
performed in several en-
sembles for years around
the country.
Living and teaching in
Milton-Freewater,
Cun-
nington frequently per-
forms in the area and is the
featured performer for the
Monday, July 17 Music in
the Parks. The free concert
starts at 7 p.m. at Irrigon
Marina Park. People are en-
couraged to bring a blanket
or lawn chair. In addition,
food will be available for
purchase.
Cunnington’s musical
interests and genres include
jazz, blues, rhythm & blues
and pop. Her ability to
change from soft and sultry
to full-on belting is some-
thing that audiences look
forward to hearing.
Music in the Parks series
alternates between Board-
man and Irrigon marina
parks each Monday though
Aug. 14. For more infor-
mation, call Tami Sherer
at 541-571-0844. To hear
Cunnington’s voice, visit
www.reverbnation.com/
melissacunnington.
Strike out against
domestic violence
The public is invited
to roll a strike during a
bowling event to raise
money for a local non-
profit organization.
In its fifth year, the
Domestic Violence Ser-
vices Bowl-A-Thon is
Saturday, July 22, from
6-8 p.m. at Desert Lanes,
1545 N. First St., Herm-
iston. The cost is $30
per bowler or $120 for a
team of four. The fee in-
cludes three games and
shoe rental. It’s open to
all ages, and prizes will
be given. In addition, raf-
fle tickets are $1 each or
six for $5 for some great
prizes.
The annual fundraiser
helps support the organi-
zation’s efforts in giving
victims of domestic, dat-
ing and sexual violence,
and stalking the support
and resources to become
survivors.
For more information
or to register, call 541-
276-3322 or visit www.
dvs-or.org.
IS PROUD TO BE THE
TITLE SPONSOR
GOLF TOURNAMENT
GOLFING FOR A CAUSE
SATURDAY, JULY 15, 2017
BIG RIVER GOLF COURSE
Silver Sponsors:
SCRAMBLE FOR FOOD
$60.00 ENTRY FEE:
PRIZES ON EVERY HOLE!
Includes greens fee for 18 holes, pastries before &
lunch after the tournament
OPEN TO MEN & WOMEN
OF ALL SKILL LEVELS
Four person Scramble • Limited to fi rst 120 golfers
8:00am: Check-in opens.
Teams & hole assignments announced.
9:00am: Shot gun start
Conclusion of tournament: Lunch, awards ceremony
Please contact Big River Golf Course to reserve a cart at 541-922-3006.
(carts are not included in the entry fee)
For more information, contact Dave Hughes at 541-571-7293.