BMCC sets table for holiday meal on Dec. 5

PENDLETON — A free community holiday dinner will be served Thursday, Dec. 5, 5-7 p.m. in Pioneer Hall at Blue Mountain Community College, 2411 NW Carden Ave.

The BMCC Associated Student Government invites everyone to celebrate the season with friends, neighbors and the college community.

For those unable to attend, meal delivery service can be arranged via bit.ly/4fBlYnH. For questions, email asg@bluecc.edu.

Carrie Young Memorial set for Dec. 6 in John Day

JOHN DAY — One of Grant County’s biggest social events is coming up this week, and it’s all for a good cause.

The 32nd annual Carrie Young Memorial Dinner and Auction will take place starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the John Day Elks Lodge, 140 NE Dayton St.

A spaghetti dinner is available by donation, starting at 5:30 p.m. Soft drinks and adult beverages will be available for purchase.

The evening also features a silent auction of gift baskets, a live auction and raffle drawings for prizes such as a cord of wood and an American Ruger rifle.

All proceeds benefit Grant County’s senior citizens, with residents of area nursing homes receiving a care package with toiletries, towels and sheets, along with a few goodies from their Christmas lists. Vulnerable seniors living independently get deliveries of firewood or heating oil, plus gift certificates for groceries.

The event started small and has grown steadily, raising more than $80,000 each of the last two years. To donate or volunteer, call Lucie Immoos at 541-620-2098 or email her at laimmoos@gmail.com.

Adventist churches erect Bethlehem village

HERMISTON — An immersive experience that shares the biblical story of Jesus’ birth is featured during Journey to Bethlehem.

The outdoor event opens Friday, Dec. 6, and continues through Sunday, Dec. 8, on the grounds of the Hermiston Seventh-day Adventist Church, 855 W. Highland Ave.

The 20-minute guided tours run nightly from 5-8 p.m. Admission is free.

It features the sights, sounds and smells of a bustling village from more than 2,000 years ago, including outdoor structures, live animals, costumed guides and special actors. Also, the Idaho Singers will perform throughout the event inside the church.

While walk-ins are welcome, people can schedule their tours at Eventbrite via bit.ly/3OdgEuL. For questions, call 541-567-8241.

Craft classes create holiday spirit

HERMISTON — Get into the holiday spirit with holiday craft classes offered by Hermiston Parks & Recreation.

The first session, for teens and adults, is Tuesday, Dec. 10, 5-7 p.m., and a class for youths ages 5-12 is Saturday, Dec. 14, from 1-3 p.m.

Both will be held at the Harkenrider Senior Activity Center, 255 NE Second St. The cost is $30 via bit.ly/hermistonrecreation. For questions, call 541-667-5018.

Community ensembles present Holiday Music

PENDLETON — The Oregon East Symphony will bring together a variety of community music ensembles for the Holiday Music Festival.

The annual ecumenical celebration of the holidays through music features one concert at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Vert Auditorium, 480 SW Dorion Ave.

Performers include the Hermiston Brass Quintet, Pendleton High School A Cappella Choir, Sisters in Song and the Pendleton Men’s Chorus.

Free tickets for any unreserved, floor-level seat can be picked up from downtown Pendleton businesses and organizations listed on the symphony website, www.oregoneastsymphony.org.

Reserved seats for the balcony or floor-level can be purchased at the symphony office, 345 SW Fourth St., by calling 541-276-0302 and the website.

Santa flies into Baker City Dec. 7

BAKER CITY — The Baker City Kiwanis Club will offer Santa photos on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Baker County Event Center, 2600 East St.

Photos are $10 per session and include two 5×7 or three 4×6 prints. Prints are normally available for pickup within 15 minutes. There will also be an opportunity to write Santa a letter.

Proceeds support Kiwanis community service projects, which focus on children and youth.

EOU’s Holiday Music Festival is Dec. 7 & 8

LA GRANDE — The 32nd rendition of The Observer’s Holiday Music Festival, sponsored by Koza Family Dental Care, is happening this weekend with two performances: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at Eastern Oregon University’s McKenzie Theater

Admission is $12 adults and $10 for students and seniors.

Tickets are available at Red Cross Drug, the EOU Bookstore or online tickets ($12 for everyone) at eou.edu/music. Advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended.

Both concerts feature the same program with the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra, the EOU Chamber Choir, EOU’s 45th Parallel Ensemble, EOU African Drumming Group, EOU Fiddle Ensemble and the Grande Ronde Music Association Community Band and Choir.

Festival of Trees and more in Baker City

BAKER CITY — Baker City Downtown’s Festival of Trees opens Thursday, Dec. 5, with a preview night at the Baker Heritage Museum, 2480 Grove St. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at bakercitydowntown.com (under “Events,” select “Twinkle in Time”), and at the door. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the evening includes hors d’oeuvres and a no-host wine and beer bar.

Saturday, Dec. 7 is the festival’s Family Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum. Admission is free. Visitors can see the decorated trees and participate in art activities organized by Crossroads Carnegie Art Center.

Another BCD event, the Cookie Crawl, is Saturday from 3-5 p.m. in downtown Baker City. Boxes will be sold for $10 each during the festival’s Family Day from 10 a.m. until they sell out. BCD is selling 300 boxes, one per household.

Wreath workshop planned in Athena Dec. 10

ATHENA — Athena will host the annual wreath-making workshop at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10 in the historic Stahl Building, 259 E. Main St.

The cost is $40 per person and includes all supplies, light refreshments and snacks. Bringing gloves is highly recommended.

This is a fundraiser for the Athena Mainstreet Association, which was founded in 2013 as a nonprofit volunteer group to revitalize the historic downtown core of the community.

In 2017, the organization purchased the historic Stahl Building on Athena’s Main Street. They are managing the restoration of the 120-year-old building as a local event and gathering space.

Workshop space is limited. Register by emailing athenamainstreet@gmail.com.

Applications open for Summer Fishtrap scholarships

ENTERPRISE — Fishtrap is accepting applications for 2025 Summer Fishtrap Scholarships and Fellowships now through Jan. 1.

Summer Fishtrap is scheduled for July 7-13, 2025, at Wallowa Lake. Thanks to support from foundations, individuals, and local businesses, Fishtrap offers a limited number of need-based scholarships that cover the cost of Summer Fishtrap registration. There is no application fee.

Summer Fishtrap Fellowships are designed to provide new and emerging writers with an opportunity to connect with a community of writers as they pursue their professional writing aspirations. A fellowship covers Summer Fishtrap registration plus meals and lodging for the week. There is a $25 application fee.

For more information about Summer Fishtrap and these financial resources, visit fishtrap.org or contact Program Director Mike Midlo at mike@fishtrap.org.

Festival of Trees offers holiday fun in Hermiston

HERMISTON — Although tickets for the Hermiston Festival of Trees’ gala are sold out, people can still enjoy the festive holiday event during Family Day.

Join the fun and view the magnificently decorated trees on Sunday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hermiston Community Center, 415 S. Highway 395. Admission is free and includes lunch and a picture with Santa Claus.

Coordinated by Soroptimist International of the Greater Hermiston Area, Family Day features live entertainment with the Hermiston High School choir, Jr. Jam Annex and Generation Cloggers. Also, Christmas crafts for the kids include jingle bracelets, spin art, cookie decorating and more.

In addition, a special Storybook Corner will be presented by HHS Education Pathway students.

Jackalope Jamboree announces 2025 lineup

PENDLETON — Jackalope Jamboree is preparing for the sixth annual Americana and country music festival June 26-28, 2025, at the Happy Canyon Arena.

Daily headliners are 49 Winchester, Paul Cauthen and Midland. In all, 30-plus acts will perform across three stages. The ticket pre-sale began Dec. 2 and general sales started Dec. 3 — both via www.jackalopejamboree.com.

The festival also features free pre-party and after-party events on Main Street in downtown Pendleton. For the full festival lineup and more information, visit the website or search Facebook or Instagram.