COMMUNITY A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022 Highland Hills student highlights Hermiston melons Dustin Sanders’ artwork featured in agriculture calendar BY TAMMY MALGESINI Hermiston Herald A Highland Hills Elementary School student didn’t have to look far for inspiration in enter- ing the Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom’s annual Calen- dar Art Contest. “I drew a watermelon because in Hermiston we are known for watermelons,” Dustin Sanders wrote with his submission. The youngster also drew and colored a sun because, he wrote, sunlight and water are needed to help watermelons grow. And Dustin, who is entering the fourth grade next week, should know because his family grew several in their backyard gar- den. Mackenzie Juul, Dustin’s third grade teacher, encouraged students to draw on their cre- ativity during a classroom proj- ect. The statewide contest, open to students in kindergarten through sixth grade, asked for Brittany Capell/Contributed Photo Hermiston watermelon artwork by Dustin Sanders, a Highland Hills El- ementary School student, is featured on the July page of the 2022-23 Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom calendar. original artwork depicting Or- egon’s diverse agricultural and natural resource commodities. More than 2,100 entries were submitted. Dustin’s mother, Amanda Brown, wasn’t aware of the spe- cial drawing — until receiving a phone call from the school, informing her that her son was selected as one of the winners. Brown said they decided to in- clude the trip to the Classroom Calendar Art Contest reception as part of a blended family va- cation. Held Friday, Aug. 26 at the Oregon State Fair, everyone re- ceived free gate admission, she said. A total of 10 traveled to Sa- lem to cheer Dustin on. “I don’t know how many kids entered but it was a pretty big deal,” Dustin Sanders, the boy’s UEC plugs in to community with donations, presentations Hermiston Herald Umatilla Electric Coopera- tive has been schmoozing with the community recently — dis- tributing donations to a pair of nonprofit organizations and educational presentations with local students. Matching $5,000 donations were provided through a part- nership with CoBank’s Shar- ing Success Program, Weston Putman, UEC public relations manager, said in a press re- lease. UEC board members on July 14 handed off checks to representatives from the Stan- field Community Center and Eastern Oregon Mission’s Mar- tha’s House. Each organization, Putman said, received $10,000 and both will use the funds for building improvements. The Stanfield Community Center serves as an activity hub in town, including hosting meals, fundraisers and holiday events. An outreach ministry of Eastern Oregon Mission, Martha’s House provides tem- porary housing for homeless families. A national cooperative bank based in Colorado, CoBank, through its Sharing Success Program, doubles the con- tributions of its members to charitable organizations. It has matched $47,500 in UEC do- nations to area recipients in the past seven years. “We greatly value our part- nership with CoBank and their impact on not only their members but the communities Weston Putman/Contributed Photo Steve Meyers, Umatilla Electric Cooperative’s member services adminis- trator, discusses electrical safety with students on July 14, 2022, at the co-op’s Hermiston headquarters. served by their members,” said Lisa McMeen, UEC vice presi- dent of administration. CO-OP SPARKS LEARNING WITH YOUTH PROGRAMS In other UEC news, Put- nam shared about the co- op’s youth education efforts through summer programs. The co-op hosted 150 ele- mentary students on July 14 at its Hermiston headquar- ters. Second graders plugged in with Hermiston School District’s summer program learned about electrical safety from the public relations team. While touring the yard, fleet specialist Mike Sallee shared about powerline safety, tools and equipment used in the industry. Students enjoyed climbing aboard a line truck. And on July 29, fifth grade students attending the Port of Morrow’s Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs Camp visited the Boardman Operations Center. Participants learned about equipment and tools — including a hands-on activity with hot sticks — that crews use to operate UEC’s infra- structure. “We are very fortunate to have such great educational partners and to have the op- portunity to show students the various careers available in the industry,” McMeen said. Umatilla Electric Coopera- tive was incorporated June 18, 1937, to meet the growing need for rural elec- tricity in the area. UEC con- tinues as a consumer-owned electric cooperative to serve its members. For more infor- mation, visit www.umatilla- electric.com. PET OF THE W EEK Brittany Capell/Contributed Photo Dustin Sanders, 9, poses for a photo Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, during the Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Calendar Art Contest reception at the Oregon State Fair, Salem. His watermelon artwork is featured for the month of July in the 2022-23 calendar. father, said. “We all went to sup- port him. It was pretty cool.” Jessica Jansen, AITC execu- tive director, said in a press re- lease the cover and each month of the calendar feature student artwork. In addition, each day includes a fact about agriculture. Jansen said it is a great project for both students and teachers. IN BRIEF Linebacker Club kicks off 2022 season The Hermiston Linebacker Club is ready to kick off the 2022 season. The group hud- dles up on Thursdays at noon at Desert Lanes Family Fun Center, 1545 N. First St., Herm- iston. Everyone is invited to attend and hear from coach David Faaeteete. During the weekly luncheons, he gives a recap of the previous week’s gridiron ac- tion and shares the game plan for the upcoming matchup. The Bulldogs will open the sea- son at home against the Han- ford Falcons on Friday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m. at Kennison Field. Those planning to attend the Linebacker Club are asked to RSVP at least a day in ad- vance to order meals. The cost is $13 for members and $15 for non-members. Club membership is $100 and prepaid lunches for the season is $120. Any donations or leftover funds are donated to the football program. For more information or to RSVP, call Flora Larson or Sheron Vari- katt at 541-567-5215. Kathy Aney/Hermiston Herald, File Hermiston High School head football coach David Faaeteete talks to his players during a timeout in a game March 19, 2021, against Ken- newick. Faaeteete will discuss weekly game plans during Hermiston Linebacker Club luncheons Thursdays at noon at Desert Lanes Family Fun Center, 1545 N. First St., Hermiston. Bellinger’s pours wine with music Zac Grooms will strum some tunes during Wine Night at Bellinger Farms and Gourmet Shoppe. The event is Thursday, Sept. 1, 5-8 p.m. at 1823 S. High- way 395, Hermiston. Wine tast- ing features pours from Coyote Canyon. An Arlington native, Grooms plays original music and a va- riety of country covers. In ad- dition, he is the frontman for Brewer’s Grade Band, recog- nized as country band of the year in 2018 by the International Music and Entertainment As- sociation. For more information, search Mark Sargent, DVM • Brent Barton, DVM Robert Thonney, DVM • Jana Parks, DVM, cVMA Small and Large Animal Care Mon: 8-6 Tue - Fri: 8-5 Sat: 8-12 Emergency Service 541.567.1138 80489 Hwy 395 N Hermiston www.oregontrailvet.com Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, animal shelters need our help more than ever. Please donate to your local shelter, or offer to foster an animal in need. If interested please go to fuzzballrescue.com and fill out an application. If you are not able to adopt, but would like to foster or donate, visit fuzzballrescue.com or you can mail in donations to Fuzz Ball Animal Rescue, PO Box 580, Hermiston, OR 97838 Prepare for power outages today WITH A HOME STANDBY GENERATOR FREE Contact a Generac dealer for full terms and conditions REQUEST A FREE QUOTE CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE (877) 557-1912 *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions. Library encourages adults to get crafty The Hermiston Public Li- brary is providing Adult Take ’n’ Make Crafts on the first Thursday of the month. The September craft fea- tures an apple sign. Pick up the free kit and instructions, while supplies last, Thursday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 235 E. Gladys Ave. For more informa- tion, search www.hermiston. or.us/library or call 541-567- 2882. — Hermiston Herald DIRECTORY Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church 565 W. HERMISTON AVE. Iglesia Católica Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles First Christian Church 565 W. HERMISTON AVE. “Grow Your Faith Through God” Sunday School...9:00 am Worship Service...10:30 am 567-3013 775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston Seventh-day Adventist Church Saturdays Sabbath School........9:30 a.m. Worship Service......11:00 a.m. English & Spanish Services 541-567-8241 855 W. Highland Ave. Hermiston, OR 97838 St. Johns Episcopal Church Join Us N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston 541-567-6672 JOIN OUR INCLUSIVE CONGREGATION ON OUR JOURNEY WITH JESUS Services 9:00am Sundays In-person or streaming on Facebook or Zoom COME WORSHIP WITH US AT THE COUNTRY CHURCH Sundays at 11:00am 32742 Diagonal Rd. Hermiston, OR LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH NEW BEGINNINGS 125 E. Beech Ave. • 567-3232 Sun. Bible Classes...................10:00am Sun. Worship Service..............11:00am Sun. Evening Worship..............5:00pm Tues. Creation Club (Sept-May)..4:30pm Wed. Prayer & Bible Study......5:00pm Worship Service 10:30 AM Sunday School 9:00 AM Pastor J.C. Barnett Children’s Church & Nursery Available 700 West Orchard Avenue P.O. Box 933 Hermiston, Oregon www.hermistonlmbc.com 541-289-4774 CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Pastor David Dever To advertise in the Church Directory, please contact Audra Workman 541-564-4538 or email aworkman@eastoregonian.com Blazing Fast Internet! Prepare for Power Outages & Save Money 7-Year Extended Warranty* $0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS www.facebook.com/bellinger- farms or call 541-567-5870. For more about Grooms, visit www. brewersgradeband.com. Church MEET SKIPPY! Skippy is a young Chihuahua that loves to play with dogs his size. Skippy is doggy door trained. Skippy likes to play with cats, sometimes chases them, not to hurt but to play. Skippy loves to sleep with his humans. He will be a good lap dog if there are no other dogs to keep him busy. Skippy is good with kids, he does mouth play so young kids need to be aware of that. He loves toys! Will carry them around and play. “It gives teachers an opportu- nity to discuss the bounty and beauty of Oregon agriculture and incorporate art into their classrooms,” she said. Each of the 13 winning stu- dents received $50 and a cer- tificate commemorating their achievement. In addition, their artwork will appear in the 2022- 23 school-year calendar, is fea- tured on the AITC website via www.oregonaitc.org and re- mains on display at the Oregon State Fair, which runs through Labor Day — Monday, Sept. 5. The cash prize, Brown said, provided lots of pocket money for Dustin to enjoy the state fair. She said he especially liked the Paul Bunyan Lumber Jack Show and riding a mechanical bull. “I had fun going on a bunch of rides and going on stage and talking about my drawing,” he said. “I’m thankful for my par- ents being there.” And Dustin even had enough money after returning home, his mother said, to splurge on a smoothie from Dutch Bros. Coffee. He still has a few dollars left and is pondering making a purchase on Amazon. A $695 Value! REQUEST A FREE QUOTE! ACT NOW TO RECEIVE A $300 SPECIAL OFFER!* (844) 989-2328 *Off er value when purchased at retail. Solar panels sold separately. ADD TO YOUR PACKAGE FOR ONLY 19 . 99 $ /mo. where available 2-YEAR TV PRICE GUARANTEE $ 69 99 190 CHANNELS MO. Local Channels! for 12 Mos. America’s Top 120 Package Including CALL TODAY - For $100 Gift Card Promo Code: DISH100 1-866-373-9175 Offer ends 11/9/22. All offers require credit qualification, 24-month commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. 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