Closing reception Jan. 26 for ‘The Big’

LA GRANDE — Art Center East’s annual open exhibit “The Big” will be on display through Jan. 27, with a closing reception on Friday, Jan. 26, 6-8 p.m. The People’s Choice Award will be announced during the closing reception — cast your vote in advance at ACE, 1006 Penn Ave. The People’s Choice Award is sponsored by the Art Center East board of directors.

Also, raffle tickets for “Criss-Cross,” an original saggar-fired ceramic sculptural vase valued at $200 by Sue Orlaske, are available for purchase at ACE and online at artcentereast.org. Tickets are $1 each or $5 for six at ACE or online. All proceeds benefit the ACE Gallery Program. The raffle winner will be drawn on Jan. 26 during the closing reception.

Join Brunch N’ Bingo in Mt. Vernon

MT. VERNON — Brunch N’ Bingo is planned for Saturday, Jan. 27, 10 a.m. at the Mt. Vernon Community Center, 640 Ingle St.

Brunch starts at 9:30 a.m., followed by bingo. For updates on events, visit the Facebook page for City of Mt. Vernon, Oregon.

Applications open for Handmade Holidays

LA GRANDE — The holidays are barely behind us, but Art Center East is now accepting vendor applications for the Handmade Holidays Makers Market that runs Nov. 15-16, 2024.

The applications are open through July 25 and can be found at artcentereast.org under the “Artists” tab.

The two-day art sale draws more than 1,500 visitors. In the past, vendors have offered paintings, ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, blown glass, textiles, screen printing, cards and stationery, leather, handmade skillets, artisan foods, candles, soaps, skincare and more. All items for sale must by made the by the artist.

For more information, contact Gallery Director Jenn Durr, jenn@artcentereast.org.

Help raise money for acts of kindness

JOHN DAY — A “Brew Haha” fundraiser is planned Saturday, Feb. 17, to raise funds to perform random acts of kindness throughout Grant County in 2024. This is organized by the Blue Mountain Healthcare Foundation.

Doors open at 5 p.m. at the Grant County Fairgrounds pavilion, and dinner starts at 6 p.m. with pork ribs by Lenny Dowdy and sides by Snaffle Bit Dinner House. The evening includes a live auction and silent auction.

Tickets are $50 each and include dinner, one beer or cocktail and door prize tickets. Purchase tickets at bluemountainhospital.org/fundraiser or at the door.

Wild School fundraiser set for Jan. 27

LA GRANDE — An Adult Wild School event is planned for Saturday, Jan. 27, 1-3 p.m. at Pete’s Pond, 913 S. Miller Drive. This is a fundraiser for Art Center East’s Wild Preschool, Wild School and Teen Wild School outdoor programs.

This event is led by teaching artists Amanda Welch and Meghan Ballard. Attendees can enjoy elderberry tea or elderberry hot toddies while creating a winter scene cyanotype wall hanging and an evergreen decorative swag. No art experience is necessary.

An additional activity will be burning aspirations onto wire-wrapped cardboard stars to add to your swag. Welch and Ballard will also teach about local native plants and how they connect to the community’s ecosystem. All supplies are provided.

The cost is $60. Register at artcentereast.org.

Celebrate ‘Music Through the Ages’ Jan. 27

UNION — An event billed as “Music Through the Ages” with Celtic, bluegrass and old-time tunes is planned for Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Catherine Creek Community Center, 667 N. Main St.

The Small Town Girls will play from 3-4:45 p.m., followed by The BlueMountaineers from 4:45-6:30 p.m.

Admission is free, and attendees will have the chance to win raffle prizes, including a huckleberry no-bake cheesecake.

Funding for this event is provided by the Oregon Arts Commission.

Course encourages writing about illness

ENTERPRISE — Jim Dameron will lead a writing workshop titled “On Illness — Telling Your Story” through Fishtrap. The four sessions will meet from 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturdays, Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24 at Fishtrap, 107 W. Main St.

Registration is $180 or $160 for Fishtrappers. Register at fishtrap.org/dameron-2024.

This workshop is intended to help participants make sense of a serious illness by writing about it. The class will look at examples of illness writing and work toward crafting essays, poems or stories. It is open to those who have struggled with illness, those who have been caregivers, and anyone interested in the subject of “narrative identity.”

Dameron is an essayist and poet. On May 15, 2023, he went from healthy to totally paralyzed as a result of Guillain-Barre syndrome. According to Fishtrap, “he’s much better now and no longer paralyzed but is still trying to make sense of the experience. It has left him with much to ponder, much to learn, and a few things to share.”

Community dinners start again in La Grande

LA GRANDE — La Grande First Presbyterian Church, in collaboration with Merlyn’s Catering, is offering community dinners on Wednesdays from Jan. 24 to March 13 at the Presbyterian Friendship Center, 1204 Spring St. There will not be a dinner on Feb. 14.

Meals are described as “comfort food.” Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner is served at 6 p.m. All are welcome. The cost is a freewill donation.

OES Youth Orchestra presents winter concert

PENDLETON — The Oregon East Symphony Youth Orchestra will present a free winter concert on Thursday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m. in the Vert Club Room, 345 SW Fourth St.

They will be joined by the beginner level Preludes Orchestra. The concert will be followed by a reception with punch and cookies.

The intermediate level OES Youth Orchestra, under the direction of OES Assistant Conductor Zach Banks, will perform arrangements of Florence Price’s “Adoration,” Benjamin Britten’s “Simple Symphony,” Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and Dvorak’s “Carnival Overture.”

The beginner level Preludes Orchestra, under the direction of OES Assistant Concertmaster Viet Block with assistance from Emma Norquist, will perform “Petite Tango” by C.B. Kriechbaum Jr., “Abendsegen” from Hansel & Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck, and “Sword Dance” by Thoinot Arbeau.

For more information about the Oregon East Symphony’s education and concert programming, or to make a donation, visit www.OregonEastSymphony.org, call 541-276-0320, or email info@oregonEastSymphony.org.

Checkmate: Stanfield offers youth chess club

STANFIELD — Stanfield Parks and Recreation invites youths and teens to join the Chess Club with Travis.

Participants can learn how to play, practice or sharpen their skills. The activity is open to ages 8-18 of all skill levels. Also, adult volunteers are welcome.

The event kicked off Saturday, Jan. 20, 9 a.m. at Java Junkies, 270 S. Main St. It runs weekly through Feb. 24. To register, visit bit.ly/3O3I7PK. For questions, email recreation@cityofstanfield.com.

Women’s wrestling oils up at Electric Sundown

PENDLETON — Described as the “most exciting female oil wrestling revue to hit the town,” you don’t want to miss the Hollywood Knockouts.

The event is Wednesday, Jan. 24, 7-10 p.m. at Electric Sundown, 14 SE Third St. General admission is $10 and VIP tickets, which include premium seats and a meet and greet, are $20.

The main performance features a master of ceremonies who offers a comical and informative monologue. After the Hollywood Knockouts matches, members of the audience will have an opportunity to grapple with the gals in the wrestling pit. And the grande finale features a Massacre Bout with an audience member taking on the entire Knockouts squad.

For tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com. For more information, search bit.ly/48St5nK or call 484-464-7755.

Seattle-based band plays at Wildhorse bar

MISSION — The Dana Osborn Band will take the stage Jan. 26-27, 8 p.m. to midnight in the Wildhorse Sports Bar. There is no cover charge.

The band’s high-energy performances feature a variety of rock music with lots of soul. The Seattle-based group covers such artists as David Bowie, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Elton John, Steve Miller Band and more

The bar is located at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off Interstate 84, exit 216, near Pendleton. For more information, call 800-654-9453.

Walk for Warmth helps heats homes

MILTON-FREEWATER — The Mac-Hi Key Club will hold its annual Walk for Warmth on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9-11 a.m. at Shockman Field in Milton-Freewater.

“Warm a Heart. Heat a Home” is the theme.

“Money earned helps people in our community who are struggling to pay their heating bills this time of year,” Key Club members explain. Also, the city of Milton-Freewater will match the funds earned by the students up to $2,500.

Students are accepting pledges per lap or a flat donation. Also, people can bring donations to the event and walk with the group. Additionally, donations can be mailed or dropped off at Mac-Hi, 120 S. Main St., Milton-Freewater, OR 97862 (checks payable to Mac-Hi Key Club.) For more information, email keyclubmachi@gmail.com or message via Mac-Hi Key Club on Facebook.

Key Club is one of the oldest clubs for high school students in the nation. Affiliated with Kiwanis Club, it focuses on community service group. Students participate in events to benefit the school, community and nation.

Each year, the local club helps American Legion Post No. 24 place American flags on the graves of veterans on Memorial Day, helps with Special Olympics events, holds fundraisers for various community needs and assists with Kiwanis Club service projects.

Mac-Hi Key Club advisor is Michelle Newby with 2023-24 club officers: President Valeria Villalpando, Vice President Vanessa Lara, Treasurer Alexa Flores, Secretary Emily Sauced and Jocelyn Arroyo over social media.

The Key Club members describe themselves as: “A club of dedicated high school students working towards a better tomorrow. Caring — our way of life.”

Sign painting party is Jan. 29

LA GRANDE — Do you need a welcome sign to usher in the New Year? Market Place Fresh Foods, 1912 Fourth St., and SunRise Art Studio are hosting a paint party on Jan. 29 at 5 p.m. For $35, artist Gayle Huwe will teach techniques to create a welcome sign. All supplies are provided.

Huwe comes from a background in education as a kindergarten to sixth grade instructor. After she left teaching in 2018, she came up with the idea of hosting a paint party as a fundraiser for her daughter to compete in the nationals for her FCCLA Club.

When she could not recruit any artists to step up, Gayle began a new chapter in her life and, with her prior arts and crafts experience, became the artist-teacher. She currently owns SunRise Art Studio in Joseph, where she sells retail art supplies, teaches paint parties and brings in other activities.

Register for the paint party at welcomepaintparty.rsvpify.com.

Tickets on sale for the Jackalope Jamboree

PENDLETON — Single Day tickets for Jackalope Jamboree are on sale now, as well as two- and three-day tickets for the music festival that happens June 27-29 at Happy Canyon Arena in Pendleton.

The three-day Americana and country music festival features performances by Charley Crockett, Randy Rogers Band, Mike and the Moonpies, Kaitlin Butts, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, and more.

One-day tickets range from $55-$105. Two-day tickets are $125-$165, and passes for all three days range from $175-$225. Overnight camping is also available for an additional cost.

To purchase tickets, visit jackalopejamboree.com.

Sweetheart indoor sale planned

JOSEPH — The Hurricane Creek Grange’s 13th annual Sweetheart Indoor Yard Sale is Feb. 2 and 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the grange, the intersection of Hurricane Creek Road and Airport Lane. Items for sale include household collectibles, dog supplies, handcrafted specialties and more.

The kitchen will be open for lunch both days (hamburgers, soup and pies) and also breakfast on Saturday (eggs, pancakes, orange juice and coffee). For more information, contact Barbara McCormack, 541-398-1757.

Book reading set for Feb. 6 at Josephy Center

JOSEPH — Pam Royes will read from her book “Temperance Creek: A Memoir” on Tuesday, Feb. 6, noon at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N. Main St.

Royes published the book eight years ago. It recounts her arrival to Wallowa County 50 years ago and is the story of “two people, their critters, workmates, and their children as they settle into a life with livestock in Wallowa County.” Copies are for sale at the Bookloft in Enterprise and the Josephy Center in Joseph.

Crab Feed benefits Helix Booster Club

HELIX — It’s almost time to get cracking during the annual Helix Booster Club Crab Feed.

The event is Feb. 22, 5-7 p.m. at Helix School, 120 Main St. Tickets are $50 each. It features all-you-can-eat crab, shrimp, salmon, oysters, clam chowder, coleslaw and garlic bread.

For more information, search www.facebook.com/helixschooldistrict or call 541-457-2175.