A4 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2017
COMMUNITY
Hermiston Desert Disc Golf opens
By JADE McDOWELL
STAFF WRITER
Hermiston’s disc golf
enthusiasts can practice
their craft in town after the
opening of the new Herm-
iston Desert Disc Golf
course.
The course opened
Wednesday with a rib-
bon-cutting ceremony that
drew a crowd of the sport’s
fans.
The new course, locat-
ed across 11th Street from
Good Shepherd Medical
Center, is still a work in
progress. The more tech-
nically difficult back nine
holes won’t be installed
until spring, and the plaque
bearing a map of the course
has not been installed yet.
But within minutes of the
red ribbon being cut, sever-
al players were already try-
ing their luck with the nine
baskets currently installed.
Hermiston Parks and
Recreation director Larry
Fetter said when disc golf
enthusiasts Scott Zielke,
Matt Richmond, Ginger
Colgman and others first
approached him about the
idea of a disc golf course
STAFF PHOTO BY JADE McDOWELL
Matt Richmond prepares to
throw the first disc of the
new Hermiston Desert Disc
Golf Course.
STAFF PHOTO BY JADE MCDOWELL
Hermiston Parks and Recreation director Larry Fetter, left,
speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Hermiston
Desert Disc Golf Course.
in town, he thought the de-
partment could simply start
“putting baskets out” any-
where, but they soon taught
him about the importance
of proper course design,
measuring distances and
setting par in order to make
the course a nationally rat-
ed one with the potential to
draw in out-of-town play-
ers and tournaments.
The group managed to
get a $15,000 grant from
the Good Shepherd Com-
munity Health Foundation
and to set up agreements
with Good Shepherd and
the Hermiston Irrigation
District to use their land.
“It was not an easy
thing,” Fetter said.
Both Annette Kirkpat-
rick of Hermiston Irriga-
tion District and Kelly
Sanders of Good Shepherd
said that their organiza-
tions were happy that their
unused land would now be
used for an activity that
will encourage people to
get outside for some exer-
cise and fresh air.
“Maybe some lunchtime
you’ll see me out there,”
Sanders said.
The first tee of the course
— marked by a large ce-
ment rectangle with the
number 1 on it — is near
the wooden arch marking
the start of the Oxbow Trail
off Elm Avenue. Each tee
faces the basket that play-
ers must try to land a disc
in using the fewest throws
possible. Players must sup-
ply their own discs, but the
course is free for the public
to use.
Gardening course seeks green thumbs
HERMISTON HERALD
People interested in en-
hancing their gardening
skills and serving the com-
munity are invited to par-
ticipate in the 2018 Master
Gardener Training Course.
Green thumbs and nov-
ices alike are encouraged
to register. Offered through
the Oregon State Univer-
sity Extension Service, the
upcoming course, which
rotates locations within
Umatilla County each year,
will be based in Hermiston.
Gardeners of all skill lev-
els can learn something new
FILE PHOTO
Richard Bertram and
Annette Skinner hold up egg
rolls made from a hearty
weed called purslane.
through the comprehensive
training course that focus-
es on the art and science
of growing and caring for
plants. Relevant information
can be utilized for home or
community gardens. Partic-
ipants will gain knowledge
about lawn and tree care,
vegetable gardening, and
pest and weed management,
and much more.
The
classes
begin
Wednesday, Jan. 10, from
6-9 p.m. at Blue Moun-
tain Community College,
975 S.E. Columbia Drive,
Hermiston. Sessions are
weekly (except Feb. 14)
through March 21. Also,
weekend workshops are
every other Saturday from
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Jan.
13 through March 24. The
weekend sessions offer
hands-on learning activities.
They will frequently include
field trips, technical skill
building and demonstra-
tions that provide enhanced
understanding of the topic.
The cost is $145, which
includes the course text-
book. Those who partici-
pate in volunteer hours in
community-related garden
projects, community out-
reach events or activities at
the OSU Extension Service
will be eligible for a $50
registration rebate.
IN BRIEF
Umatilla County ends Feves gallery
features Art About
non-ag burn ban
Umatilla
County’s
non-agricultural burn ban Ag exhibit
ended Wednesday at 11:59
p.m. The county board of
commissioners voted Sept.
20 to lift the ban.
Burn day protocol re-
mains in effect. Farmers
and other residents who
wish to burn still must
check the county website
for daily burn determina-
tions at www.co.umatilla.
or.us/deptwebs/jail/burn-
day.htm or call the county’s
burn line at 541-278-6397.
Burn Day determinations
also are on Facebook at
Umatilla County Smoke
Management.
Ending the ban does not
apply to land under the ju-
risdiction of the state of
Oregon, the federal gov-
ernment, and the Confeder-
ated Tribes of the Umatilla
Indian Reservation, as well
as areas inside fire districts.
Open burning in the un-
incorporated areas and out-
side of fire districts requires
a permit. Contact the coun-
ty planning department at
541-278-6252 or the coun-
ty website (www.umatilla-
county.net) for download-
able permit applications.
Umatilla County has
permitting jurisdiction over
all agricultural field burn-
ing greater than 2 acres and
all orchards. Additionally,
the county has jurisdiction
over residential burning
outside of fire districts.
Rural fire protection
districts have jurisdiction
within their boundaries for
residential burning (less
than 2 acres, burn barrels,
and more) and fire protec-
tion, including permitting.
For more information
about Umatilla County’s
smoke management pro-
gram, or to report illegal
burning, call the coun-
ty planning department
at 541-278-6252 or the
county dispatch at 541-
966-3651 after 5 p.m. and
weekends.
Artwork with a focus
on agriculture is featured
at the Betty Feves Memo-
rial Gallery at Blue Moun-
tain Community College.
Organized by the Or-
egon State University
College of Agricultural
Sciences through its Art
About Agriculture pro-
gram, the exhibit coincides
with the opening of the
BMCC’s FARM complex
(Facility for Agricultural
Resource Management).
Art About Agriculture:
Places to Thrive includes
the work of profession-
al and emerging Pacific
Northwest artists.
“We wanted to start the
new academic year with
an art show with an agri-
culture theme to add to all
of the excitement around
the opening of the FARM
building,” said Lori Sams,
gallery director. “Partner-
ing with OSU’s Art About
Agriculture program is a
tremendous opportunity,
and we are thrilled to host
this year’s exhibit.”
The exhibit’s opening
reception and the FARM
grand opening is Thurs-
day from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
at the Pendleton campus,
2411 N.W. Carden Ave.
The gallery is located in
Pioneer Hall. Light re-
freshments will be served
at both events. In addition,
BMCC president Cam
Preus will speak at the rib-
bon-cutting at the FARM
complex. Also, tours will
be offered.
The
exhibit
runs
through Thursday, Oct. 26.
The gallery is open Mon-
day through Thursdays
from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. or by appointment.
For more information,
contact Sams at 541-278-
5952, lsams@bluecc.edu
or visit www.bluecc.edu/
community/feves-art-gal-
lery.
SALE
valid at the
SALE
Hermiston Del’s
valid at the
Feed and Farm
Cheney Del’s
Supply only.
Feed and Farm
Supply only.
HERMISTON
LIQUIDATION
SALE
15 % OFF
25 % OFF
PET FOOD, BIRD FEED,
LIVESTOCK FEED,
AND FOOTWEAR.
EVERYTHING ELSE
IN THE STORE.
Begins Sep. 26, 2017
2055 North 1st St Unit B , Hermiston , OR 97838 | 541-567-6584