Buck boosters make splash with dinner, auction

PENDLETON — Fresh cracked crab, salmon and tri-tip beef are on the menu during the Pendleton Buckaroo Booster Club’s annual Land & Sea Dinner Wednesday, Feb. 5, 5:30 p.m. at the Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate. The fundraiser also features live/silent auctions.

The cost is $45 per person, which includes dinner, complimentary beer and entry into the Heads/Tails game for a chance to win $500. Tickets can be purchased in Pendleton at Big John’s Hometown Pizza, Dave’s Food Mart & Chevron Gas, the dental office of Dr. Robert Alan Pratt, the Pendleton High School main office and from booster club board members.

The Buckaroo Booster Club supports and promotes PHS athletics and co-curricular activities. For more information, visit www.buckboosters.org or search Facebook via bit.ly/40xdZ5V.

Art classes start soon in Joseph

JOSEPH — Steve Arment will lead a series of wood carving classes on Wednesdays in February, starting Feb. 5, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N. Main St. Preregistration is required, and the cost is $140. This workshop is for ages 14 and older. Tools will be provided. Both beginning and experienced wood carvers are welcome.

Cheryl North Coughlan will lead a workshop in handbuilding mugs with the theme of hearts and love. Build day is Friday, Feb. 7, 3-5 p.m. and glaze day is either Feb. 14 from 3-5 p.m. or Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $50.

Julia Allen encourages students to choose a project for a handbuilding ceramics class with build day on Feb. 11 from 5:30-8 p.m. and glaze day on Feb. 25 from 5:30-8 p.m. Cost is $65.

All classes have limited space and require preregistration. Register at josephy.org or stop by the center.

Dance lessons planned in Spray

SPRAY — The Spray General Store is planning a series of free dance classes starting Feb. 8 and continuing March 22, April 12 and May 10. Sessions are from 10-11:30 a.m.

Dances include the two-step, salsa, swing and more. Beginners are welcome, as are couples and individuals. Space is limited to 30. Call 503-381-6398 to reserve a spot.

These classes are sponsored by a Roundhouse Foundation grant.

Booster Bash supports Stanfield youth programs

HERMISTON — The Stanfield Booster Bash will raise money for the Stanfield Booster Club on Feb. 8, 5:30 p.m. at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road.

Cookin’ Spoo Style will prepare tri-tip beef and chicken for dinner. The fundraiser also includes live/silent auctions. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased from booster club officers or at Stanfield City Hall, 160 S. Main St.

Also, Cory Peterson, a dry-land wheat farmer from Eastern Oregon, will perform live music. The singer-songwriter officially released his debut EP, “Where the West Winds Blow,” during Music on the Mountain, a New Year’s Eve gathering that ushered in 2025 at Tollgate Crossing near Weston.

The booster club re-booted in 2022 to serve youth programs in Stanfield. For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/4iUhyub or email stanfieldboosters@gmail.com.

BHS drama presents ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’

BAKER CITY — The Baker High School drama department will present “The Play That Goes Wrong” over two weekends: Jan. 30 and Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 2 at 3 p.m., and Feb. 7-8 (7 p.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday). All performances are in the BHS auditorium, 2500 E St.

Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for seniors/students and free for kids.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” debuted in London in 2012 where it won best new comedy.

The Gathering raises money for Campus Life

HERMISTON — An evening of live music, live/silent auctions and a catered dinner are featured during a fundraiser for Hermiston Campus Life. Also, youths will share their testimonies about how the faith-based organization impacts their lives.

In its sixth year, The Gathering is Feb. 21, 6 p.m. at the Hermiston Community Center, 415 S. Highway 395. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. Single tickets are $35 each or a table of eight is $275 via www.hermistoncampuslife.squarespace.com.

Campus Life offers mentorship, provides a safe place for youths to hang out and coordinates activities and outings throughout the year. For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/3woxg9P or call/text 541-969-1017.

Emergency preparedness fair set for Halfway

HALFWAY — An emergency preparedness fair is planned for Friday, Jan. 31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Halfway Lions Hall.

This is a free event, and everyone is invited. Participating partners include Pine Valley Rural Fire Protection District, Halfway-Oxbow Ambulance Service, Pine Eagle Clinic, Bureau of Land Management, Baker County Emergency Management, Oregon Department of Human Services, Idaho Power, American Red Cross, Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office and Life Flight Network.

The event sponsors are the Halfway Lions Club, United Community Partners, Pine Valley Firewise, Ford Family Foundation and Idaho Power. The fair includes raffles and other free items. For more information, visit www.pinevalley2050.org or call 541-604-1151.

Backcountry Festival is Jan. 31-Feb. 2

EASTERN OREGON — The Wallowa Avalanche Center’s 13th annual Backcountry Festival is Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 with events in both La Grande and at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort.

Also, an online auction is live and bids are accepted through Feb. 2. View and bid at www.32auctions.com/EOBF2025.

The festival begins Friday, Jan. 31, with a pie auction and screening of “Calm Beneath Castles,” a ski film produced by Matchstick Productions.

Doors open at 6 p.m. at HQ, 112 Depot St. The pie action is at 6:30 p.m., followed by the film at 7 p.m.

Admission is $10 adults and $5 for kids younger than 10. Any bakers who would like to donate a pie can email rex@wallowaavalanchecenter.org.

Activities move to Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort for Feb. 1 and Feb. 2. The Kip Rand Memorial Backcountry Race starts on Saturday at 8 a.m. Find the registration link at wallowaavalanchecenter.org.

Free clinics are planned for Saturday and Sunday (check the website) and Wanderlost will play music from 3-6 p.m. Saturday in the Starbottle Saloon.

Celebrate Chinese New Year in Walla Walla

WALLA WALLA — Fort Walla Walla Museum is presenting “Lunar New Year’s Dragon Dance in Walla Walla” Museum After Hours on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 4 p.m.

Located at 755 N. W. Myra Road in Walla Walla, Washington, the museum staff notes that the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations have intrigued locals since its earliest days.

Pei-lin Yu and Susan Monahan will describe the colorful Lunar New Year rituals of the town’s Chinese community over time, sharing historic photos, newspaper accounts and residents’ memories of holiday happenings.

And what about that Dragon Dance that was the showpiece of Walla Walla parades in bygone days?

Come hear about the recent discovery of the location of the actual dragon — he has a name and still exists — that danced in the streets over 100 years ago.

Lunar New Year celebrations are happening in Walla Walla in January and February.

Susan and Pei-lin will share local opportunities for the community to participate in this colorful holiday.

Need a book? Check out this sale

MILTON-FREEWATER — In need of a book? Head to the Milton-Freewater Community Building, 109 NE Fifth St., on Friday, Jan. 31 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Saturday, Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Each child will get a free book, and the sale ends with the chance to fill a bag for $5 on Saturday from 1-3 p.m.

Proceeds go to the Friends of the Milton-Freewater Public Library.

Senior group offers YOLO activities

HEPPNER — South Morrow County Seniors Matter offers a variety of activities through its You Only Live Once program.

YOLO activities on Thursday, Jan. 30, include chair exercises at 8:30 a.m.; a social hour at 9:30 a.m.; a Tech Savvy for Seniors class at 10 a.m.; and yoga at 4:30 p.m. The activities are held at St. Patrick’s Apartments & Senior Center, 190 N. Main St.

A nonprofit organization, South Morrow County Seniors Matter received the Oregon Rural Quality Excellence Award for a community-based program during the 41st annual Oregon Rural Health Conference held Oct. 3, 2024, in Bend.

The group also hosts movie nights, craft activities and holiday parties. For more information, contact jconklin692@gmail.com, 541-314-3185 or search Facebook via bit.ly/3Vmia1y.

Small Business Success Days planned

ENTERPRISE, LA GRANDE — Aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in La Grande and Enterprise have an opportunity to kickstart and grow their ventures at the upcoming Small Business Success Day event.

These free events, which require an RSVP, promise to equip attendees with essential tools and knowledge to thrive in the competitive business landscape. Interested individuals are asked to register by Feb. 7 to assist with planning.

In Enterprise, the event is Feb. 10 from 1-7 p.m. at Fishtrap, 107 W. Main St. Register at www.neoedd.org/event/sbsd-enterprise.

The La Grande Event will be Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cook Memorial Library, 2006 Fourth St. Register at www.neoedd.org/event/sbsd-lagrande.

Participants will gain insights into effective marketing strategies to boost their business’s visibility and learn about AI tools designed to save time and streamline operations. Additionally, the sessions will cover various funding opportunities and guidance on accessing them, along with other valuable business development resources.

For those unable to attend the entire event, session times can be reviewed in the registration links. Business advisors will be on hand throughout the event to offer one-on-one support, ensuring personalized assistance for all attendees.

Refreshments will be available, but participants are encouraged to bring a more substantial lunch if desired.

This initiative is brought to the community by NEOEDD, Oregon Frontier Innovation Hub, La Grande Economic Development Department, Reinventing Rural, Foundry Collective, Oregon Community Foundation and U.S. Bank.