A4 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2018
COMMUNITY
Advance tickets on BMCC to host art,
sale for fair’s main culture festival
stage concerts
By TAMMY MALGESINI
COMMUNITY EDITOR
By TAMMY MALGESINI
COMMUNITY EDITOR
Tickets are on sale
now for this year’s con-
cert line-up at the Umatilla
County Fair.
Organizers with the fair
are looking forward to an
exciting line-up of main
stage performers during its
second season at the East-
ern Oregon Trade and Event
Center. The acts include:
Country music group
Sawyer Brown (Tues-
day, Aug. 7), Ned LeDoux
(Wednesday, Aug. 8); hair
metal band Skid Row
(Thursday, Aug. 9) Latino
Night will feature still
unnamed performers (Fri-
day, Aug. 10); and rock band
Blues Traveler (Saturday,
Aug. 11).
Fair-goers can sit in gen-
eral admission seating for the
concerts. For an additional
fee, people can reserve seats
in advance. Angie McNal-
ley, fair administrative assis-
tant, said the reserved ticket
prices remain the same as
2017 at $12, with premium
seats at $20 for an up-close
experience in the first three
rows.
With more than 4,500
shows under their belts,
Sawyer Brown has criss-
crossed the country living
the life of a ‘travelin’ band,”
as one of their hit songs
shares. In the early days,
the group played everything
from clubs to pig roasts.
“There’s no such thing
as a gig we wouldn’t take,”
said Mark Miller, the band’s
lead singer.
Keyboardist Hobie Hub-
bard said there’s a synergis-
tic energy between the band
members and the audience.
Their live shows have been
described as “the Rolling
Stones of country music.”
Ned LeDoux, who played
drums in his dad’s band,
Western Underground —
he is son of the late Chris
LeDoux — never had a
“Plan B.”
“Once I got the taste of
the road, and being in front
of a crowd and just the sound
of it — it was freedom,” the
younger LeDoux said about
performing.
When his father died in
2005, Ned LeDoux picked
up a guitar and belted out
“Western Skies.” In 2015,
LeDoux traveled to Nash-
ville — digging through
some of his dad’s unfin-
ished songs for inspiration.
While he wants to carry on
his father’s legacy, he’s also
bringing a new voice to the
LeDoux name with music
from his debut EP, “Forever
a Cowboy.”
In addition, Brewer’s
Grade Band (with frontman
Zac Grooms of Hermiston)
will perform Wednesday,
Aug. 8. The band’s name is
a tip of the hat to their roots
in The Dalles and the vast
array of microbreweries in
the Pacific Northwest.
New Jersey kids with
a punk and metal attitude,
Skid Row started out in
1986. They stormed stages
with a single purpose — an
“us-against-them musical
coup d’état.”
Despite an ill-advised
tour in 1996 that took a toll
on the band, the core cama-
raderie never died — and
the band refused to fade into
obscurity. After opening for
Kiss in 2000, the band was
reinvigorated.
“When we put the band
back together, we needed
to reintroduce Skid Row as
relevant without relying too
much on past success,” said
bassist Rachel Bolan. “We
wrote songs and hit the road.
We sunk our heart and soul
into it, letting people know
we weren’t doing it for lack
of anything better to do.”
Blues Traveler emerged
in the late ‘80s and possess
a reputation for improvisa-
tional live shows and tire-
less touring. Featuring John
Popper (lead vocals, har-
monica), Chan Kinchla (gui-
tar), Tad Kinchla (bass),
Brendan Hill (drums), and
Ben Wilson (keyboard), the
group’s most recent release,
“Blow Up The Moon,” was
its first collaborative album.
It enlists a range of artists
across the musical spectrum,
representing country, pop,
reggae and hip-hop.
The group’s 12 studio
albums include four gold,
three platinum and one six-
times platinum. Their hit
“Run-Around” is the lon-
gest-charting radio single
in Billboard history, earn-
ing them a Grammy for Best
Rock Performance by a Duo
or Group with Vocals.
Reserved and premium
seats for the fair concerts
can be purchased at www.
umatillacountyfair.net, by
calling 541-567-6121 or by
stopping by the fair office,
located at EOTEC, 1705
E. Airport Road, Hermis-
ton. The concert tickets do
not include fair admission,
which is $10 for ages 13 and
up, $8 for seniors, $6 for
ages 6-12 and free for kids
under 6.
A black feminist writer/
poet, facilitated discus-
sions, fireside chats and
even food are featured in
Hermiston during Blue
Mountain
Community
College’s Arts & Culture
Festival.
The event, in its 20th
year, is free and open to
the public. The festival
kicks off Monday, April 16
in Pendleton and includes
activities on the Hermiston
campus of BMCC, 980 S.E.
Columbia Drive.
The poetry, academic
papers and personal essays
of Natasha Ria El-Scari
have been published in
anthologies, literary jour-
nals and online. In addition
to presentations in Pend-
leton, the festival’s art-
ist-in-residence is featured
Tuesday, April 17 at 1 p.m.
in Hermiston. El-Scari’s
2015 DVD, “Live at the
Blue Room” demonstrates
how she connects with peo-
ple with warmth and unre-
lenting honesty.
When asked in an inter-
view what makes her
unique, El-Scari said “…
most people lie to them-
selves, but I like to reveal
myself.”
A past Kansas poet lau-
reate, Denise Low speaks
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Natasha Ria El-Scari is
the featured artist-in-
residence during Blue
Mountain Community
College’s Arts & Culture
Festival.
highly of El-Scari.
“Poems lift off the
page, almost reading them-
selves,” Low said. “Unlike
some performance poetry,
her words translate well to
the printed page.”
The Oregon Human-
ities Conversation Proj-
ect brings Oregonians
together to discuss import-
ant and challenging issues.
The topics as part of the
Arts & Culture Festival
include “In Science We
Trust,” (Wednesday, April
18, 10 a.m.). Gail Wells of
Corvallis will lead the dis-
cussion, including exam-
ining issues of misunder-
standing and mistrust. And
“Talking About Dying,”
a statewide conversation
series that includes profes-
sionals in the fields of chap-
BRIEFS
Chocolate Derby benefits
Dream Catcher
Put on your best Kentucky Derby attire
and head down to Oregon Grain Growers
Brand Distillery for the inaugural Choco-
late Derby.
The event, which benefits Dream
Catcher Therapeutics of Pendleton, fea-
tures dinner and a variety of chocolate
dishes created by Pendleton restaurants.
The 21-and-older event is Saturday from
6-9 p.m. at the distillery, 511 S.E. Court
Ave. The Chocolate Derby also includes
live music, dancing and an auction.
Tickets are $30 per person or $225 for
a table of eight. They can be purchased at
Dan Ceniga’s State Farm office, 1704 S.W.
Frazer Ave., Pendleton, or by calling Mor-
gan at 541-377-1479.
Dream Catcher provides individuals
with emotional, physical and mental chal-
lenges an opportunity to participate in
equine activities. Participants gain thera-
peutic benefits through riding, grooming
and forming bonds with the horses. Pro-
ceeds from the event will help fund rider
scholarships and care for Dream Catcher’s
horses. For more information about the
program, visit www.dreamcatchertrc.org.
Democrats invited to unite in
Hermiston
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY KRISTI SMALLEY
Avena Garrett, Reagan Stanek, Alea Garrett and Hailey Magallanes, a Highland Hills
Elementary School Oregon Battle of the Books team, gets ready for a match at Chemeketa
Community College in Salem on April 7.
Highland Hills team turns
page during book battle
HERMISTON HERALD
The Highland Hills Ele-
mentary School team rep-
resenting Region 6 of the
Oregon Battle of the Books
had its eye on the prize.
Out of the hundreds of
elementary schools who
participated in the Bat-
tle of the Books program
this school year, only the
top 25 teams are allowed
to compete, said Kristi
Smalley, Hermiston ele-
mentary librarian.
Team members Rea-
gan Stanek, Avena Garrett,
Hailey Magallanes and
Alea Garrett were focused
on making it to bracketed
play during the April 7
event at Chemeketa Com-
munity College in Salem.
None of the previous teams
from the district’s elemen-
tary schools who had qual-
ified for the state compe-
tition had made it that far,
Smalley said.
After two rounds of
pool play, the top 16 teams
who would move to brack-
eted play were announced
in the auditorium. Start-
ing with the first place
team of Alameda, the
Highland Hills team anx-
iously awaited to find out
if their point total would
allow them to continue
the battle. The shouts of
joy when “Highland Hills”
was announced as the 16th
team to qualify very well
may have been heard on
the east side of the state,
Smalley said.
After an extremely
close match ending 30
to 35 points, the top-
seeded team from Ala-
meda defeated the High-
land Hills team by one
question.
There was still much
to celebrate, Smalley
said, since this was the
first team from Highland
Hills to make it to the state
competition.
A send-off celebra-
tion on Friday empha-
sized showing “Husky
Pride. The Highland Hills
team members, Smalley
said, worked very hard and
answered some extremely
difficult questions.
“I was especially proud
of the girls when they went
up to the Alameda team
members and congratu-
lated them on the win,”
Smalley said.
“I also want to thank
their parents and extended
family members for mak-
ing the trip to Salem to
support these amazing
readers.”
laincy, counseling, geron-
tology and hospice care.
Jennifer Sasser, an educa-
tional gerontologist at Port-
land’s Marylhurst Univer-
sity, (Wednesday, April 18,
1 p.m.) offers participants
an opportunity to reflect on
what shapes their thinking
about death and dying.
Other festival high-
lights in Hermiston include
a focus group about food
insecurity (Tuesday, April
17, 11 a.m.), interactive
African drumming with
Mike Kellison (Wednes-
day, April 18, 11:30 a.m.)
fireside chats about a Holo-
caust survivor (Thursday,
April 19, 11 a.m.) and a
survivor of a World War II
Japanese-American intern-
ment camp (Thursday,
April 19, 1 p.m.) and a pre-
sentation by Jesse Roa of
the Tri-Cities Immigra-
tion Coalition about immi-
grants’ rights and DACA. A
barbecue and photo booth
fun is Wednesday, April 18
at noon and food by Ruty’s
Restaurant, lawn games
and an alpaca display is
Thursday, April 19 at noon.
For a full schedule of
events, visit www.bluecc.
edu. For questions, con-
tact Casey White-Zollman,
vice president of public
relations, at 541-278-5839
or cwhitezollman@bluecc.
edu.
Members of the Democratic Party are
invited to meet with others to discuss rel-
evant issues and candidates.
Living Blue in Hermiston Democratic
Party meets the third Sunday of each
month at 5:30 p.m. at Desert Lanes, 1545
N. First St., Hermiston. Those interested in
purchasing no-host snacks are encouraged
to arrive early. In addition, the meetings are
family-friendly gatherings.
For more information, call Bernie Sand-
erson at 541-626-9189 or Yvonne Griffin at
541-567-1072.
Discovery Day offers
genealogical help
Encouraging presentations from experts
to help people interested in genealogical
research are available during Family Dis-
covery Day.
All ages are welcome to the free event
Saturday, April 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, 1821 S. Second Ave., Walla Walla.
In addition, lunch is provided.
The event is open to everyone who is
interested in genealogical research, from
beginners to advanced. To ensure there are
adequate materials available and for appro-
priate seating, those planning to attend are
asked to register at www.lds.org/familydis-
coveryday or contact Becky Harmon at
harmon2026@msn.com or 509-240-7244.
Recycling program benefits
Agape House
People can help support Agape House
through its bottle and can recycling
program.
There are three ways people can donate
recyclable cans and bottles to help support
programs and services for those in need in
the area. The options include dropping off
cans/bottles at Agape House, 500 Harper
Road, Hermiston. For those with a large
amount to donate or if your business col-
lects recyclables, people can call executive
director Dave Hughes to arrange a pickup.
Cans and bottles donated at Agape House
will be used for the organization’s gas pro-
gram, the weekend food program for needy
students and other small needs.
For those who use the BottleDrop
Redemption Center, you can go to www.
bottledropcenters.com and click on “Give”
and search for Agape House to make a
donation directly from your account. A
confirmation email will be generated.
Money donated this way will be used for
the student weekend food program.
Also, people can stop by Agape House
to pick up special blue BottleDrop bags, fill
them up and take them directly to the Bot-
tleDrop Redemption Center, 740 W. Herm-
iston Ave.
For more information about Agape
House, including services, other ways to
donate and volunteer opportunities, call
Hughes at 541-567-8774.
Cattle Barons extends
scholarship deadline
The deadline for Pendleton Cattle
Barons Weekend scholarships has been
extended.
Graduating seniors or college students
who plan to study or who are pursuing a
degree related to agriculture are invited to
apply. Eligible students must be from des-
ignated Eastern Oregon counties, includ-
ing Umatilla and Morrow. The deadline to
apply is Friday, April 20.
The organization has contributed more
than $60,000 to support the education
of young adults to preserve the region’s
ranching heritage. Held May 11-12, Cat-
tle Barons Weekend features saddle bronc
and ranch rodeo championships, a horse
and working dog sale, a trading post and
gear show, demonstrations and the Bucka-
roo BBQ & Home Brew Challenge.
For more information or a scholarship
application, visit www.cattlebarons.net.
Griswold High School plans all
school reunion
A group of Griswold High School grad-
uates are seeking contact information for
people for an all school reunion.
The event is planned for June 8-9. Activ-
ities will include a social time and dinner
Friday, June 8, a community picnic and a
fun run. The cost is $50.
Childcare is available during the eve-
ning social time and dinner through Wild-
horse (www.wildhorseresort.com). In
addition, Wildhorse offers shuttle service
to and from Pendleton hotels.
The all day picnic in Helix includes a
barbecue, kids’ games and swimming.
Participants are encouraged to bring lawn
chairs and spend the day catching up with
classmates. In addition, school tours will
be arranged.
A block of rooms have been reserved
at Wildhorse. For the discount booking
identification code, contact June Mohr-
land (class of 1969) of the Griswold High
School All School Reunion Planning Com-
mittee at ghsreunioninfo@gmail.com or
541-969-1141. For more information or
to register, visit https://sites.google.com/a/
jmolsen.com/ghs. Also, search Facebook
for “Griswold High School Reunion.”