Dance to The Beatles on April 5

BAKER CITY — Powder River Music Revue, which organizes a summer concert series in Baker City, is planning a Beatles-themed dance party on Saturday, April 5, from 7-10 p.m. at the VFW, 2005 Valley Ave. Admission is free, although the suggested donation is $5, which also earns a ticket for door prizes.

Raffle tickets will be sold — $5 each or $20 for five — and prizes are various items with The Beatles theme. The evening also features contests, including dance and costume.

Information about volunteering with Powder River Music Revue will be available, as well as memberships, which are $35.

The dance party is open to all ages, although those younger than 21 must enter through the back door of the VFW hall accessed off First Street, and minors must be accompanied by an adult to the restroom area, which is located in the bar area.

Monthly dance is March 29 in La Grande

LA GRANDE — The BlueMountaineers will have their monthly dance on Saturday, March 29, 6-9 p.m. at the Union County Senior Center, 1504 N. Albany St.

Admission is $5 or free for ages 12 and younger. The evening includes a finger food potluck.

Gardening classes set in Baker City

BAKER CITY — The OSU Extension Master Gardener program in Baker City is offering several classes that are open to the community at the OSU office, 2600 East St.

Agriculture Agent Will Price will teach about pesticide use and weed basics on Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $15.

Price will present consumers and the public with information on pesticide safety and pesticide hazards. This class provides users with the knowledge to understand if a pesticide is the best choice, what type of pesticide should be used and when to apply it.

On Saturday, May 3, Master Gardener Terry Carter will lead “Let’s Go Plant Shopping!” with classroom time from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and time in the field from 1-3 p.m. Cost is $15.

Carter will talk about what you should know before you purchase plants for your garden or landscape. Learn how to stick to a budget, avoid impulse purchases, read tags and choose the right plants with confidence!

The Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener program educates Oregonians about the art and science of growing and caring for plants. OSU Extension Master Gardeners are volunteer educators, neighbors, and on-the-ground researchers who serve their community with solid training in science-based, sustainable gardening and a love of lifelong learning. For more information about Baker County Master Gardeners, call 541-523-6418.

Athena celebrates citizens on April 4

ATHENA — The Athena Mainstreet Association is hosting the annual Athena Citizen of the Year Banquet.

This year’s celebration will be Friday, April 4, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Historic Stahl Building, 259 E. Main St.

Honorees include Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year and the Sue Friese Lifetime Achievement Award. Past and present winners will be celebrated.

Event tickets are $40 per person for the catered dinner. Contact the association at 541-969-4810 or email athenamainstreet@gmail.com.

Spring term starts for La Grande music groups

LA GRANDE — The Grande Ronde Community Band and Community Choir are starting spring term soon.

The band welcomes all woodwind, brass and percussion players — amateur and experienced, students through retirees — to join in making music. Rehearsals begin Monday, March 31, from 7–9 p.m. at Groth Recital Hall (Room 126) in Loso Hall on the EOU campus.

The choir is open to singers of all experience levels. Rehearsals start Thursday, April 3, 7-9 p.m. in Loso Hall, Room 123, at EOU.

Participation fees for the groups are $50 per person, $75 per household, and $10 for students. College credit is available through EOU, with band fees waived for credit-earning students. Scholarships are also available.

To register for band: www.zeffy.com/ticketing/2025-spring-term-grcb.

To register for choir: www.zeffy.com/ticketing/2025-spring-term-grcc

The term concludes with a free community band concert on June 2 and a community choir concert on June 5. For more information, email Kathryn at k_kathryn@hotmail.com.

Writing workshop planned for April

Fishtrap will offer an online workshop titled “Writes of Spring: April Fools” on three Tuesdays — April 1, April 8 and April 15 — from 6-8 p.m.

Amy Minato leads the course. Registration is $120 or $110 for Fishtrappers. Register at fishtrap.org.

Participants will glean stylistic techniques from sample writing of various genres, and prompts will promote imagination, humor and love. All ages, genres, and experience levels are welcome.

Minato has written a memoir “Siesta Lane,” and two poetry collections, “Hermit Thrush” and “The Wider Lens.” She teaches writing through Literary Arts, Multnomah Art Center, Fishtrap and at Breitenbush Retreat Center.

M-F Community Leadership Program starts April 4

MILTON-FREEWATER — The Sherwood Trust Community Leadership classes start on April 4 in Milton-Freewater.

Held at the Milton-Freewater Public Library, 8 SW Eighth St., the class is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 4, April 25, May 23, June 27, July 25 and Aug. 22.

The program is provided at no cost and includes light breakfast, lunch, and all materials needed. Support is available upon request for childcare, technology and translation.

Classes will help develop essential leadership skills unique to rural settings — personal strengths, the ability to collaborate, explore local priorities and drive positive change.  The program is perfect for emerging and experienced leaders alike.

Thirty participants are being accepted with preference given to those who live and/or work in Milton-Freewater.  Register for the no-cost classes at rdiinc.org/leadership.

For more information or registration assistance, call/text Christine Gilmore at 208-631-1734 or email cgilmore@rdiinc.org.

EGGcellent race in Milton-Freewater

MILTON-FREEWATER — The Milton-Freewater Kiwanis Club is bringing back the EGGcellent race. Club members will hide a special egg around town each day from March 24-28 and begin posting clues, each day of the hunt, at 9 a.m. on their Facebook page “M-F Kiwanis Club.”

All children and their families in the community are invited to participate.

The person locating the special egg will find a note inside with a telephone number to call, and then can choose from several prizes.

Kirkman House Museum reopens for 2025 season

WALLA WALLA — A special exhibit featuring vintage bonnets and hats are on display as Kirkman House Museum reopens for the 2025 season on Saturday, March 29, at 214 N. Colville St.

Visitors can tour the 1880 Victorian mansion and view the vintage collection, which includes elegant bonnets, sophisticated cloches, chic pillbox hats and many other remarkable styles from the 1900s to the 1960s. The display will be available for viewing until May 25.

The museum’s spring hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $10/adults, $5/youths and free for veterans and children 6 and under.

For more information, search www.kirkmanhousemuseum.org. For questions, call 509-529-4373.

Friends of the NRA hosts fundraiser in Hermiston

HERMISTON — Join the Blue Mountain Friends of the NRA for dinner, games, auctions and a chance to win exclusive NRA gear, guns, decor and collectibles.

The group’s annual dinner and auction fundraiser is Saturday, March 29, at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 Airport Road, Hermiston. General admission is at 4:30 p.m.; sponsors may enter at 4 p.m. Single tickets are $75, couples are $150 and a table for eight is $600.

The Friends of the NRA supports Second Amendment rights and is interested in preserving America’s hunting traditions. Anyone interested is invited to attend and consider joining or making a donation to the Friends of the NRA to support the future of shooting sports.

For more information or to purchase tickets, search www.friendsofnra.org/events. For questions, call Jayson Steele at 503-358-0144 or email bluemtnfnra@outlook.com.

Steak feed funds program for seniors

PENDLETON — A steak feed fundraiser will support a free program for seniors 55 and older coordinated by Pendleton Community Connections.

Enjoy a steak dinner on Monday, March 31, at the Knights of Pythias Lodge, 11 SE Eighth St. Time slots are available at 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at the Pendleton Chamber of Commerce or online at www.pendletonchamber.com.

Pendleton Community Connections will host a free lunch on the first Tuesday of the month for seniors 55 and older at BackFire Station, 911 S.W. Court Ave. For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/4bEWCEm or call 541-962-5843.

Learn about missionaries at the museum

WALLA WALLA — Fort Walla Walla Museum’s After Hours will present “Early Missionaries in the Pacific Northwest” on Thursday, March 27, 5-6 p.m.

The museum is at 755 N. E. Myra Road.

Presenter Robert Heacock is from Kennewick, Washington.  He is a member of the Washington, Oregon and Idaho chapters of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Inc., past president of the Washington Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, and is a member of the Foundation Board of Directors and committee member.  Heacock is also an officer and historian of the Spokane Westerners Corral and a member of the Ice Age Floods Institute.

For more information, visit fwwm.org or call 509-525-7703.

 

Plan now for the Pendleton Street Fair

PENDLETON — The Pendleton Street Fair, set for Saturday, May 17, is looking for vendors and volunteers.

In the early 1900s, Main Street merchants hosted the Pendleton Street Fair. This day consisted of booths in front of each business, performing artists and other local organizations.

Eventually, this street fair became the Umatilla County Fair and was relocated to a larger area.

The Pendleton Downtown Association, the city of Pendleton’s Historic Preservation Commission and the Umatilla County Historical Society are bringing back this historic street fair to help promote Pendleton’s downtown historic district.

Interested in volunteering or participating? To connect with the planning committee, send an email to HPC@pendletonor.gov.

Registration for businesses, booth space, entertainment, volunteers and sponsors is now open at www.pendletondowntown.org/street-fair. Additional event information will be posted by the Pendleton Downtown Association and Heritage Station Museum.

Round-Up announces kick-off concert

PENDLETON — Chart-topping country stars Tracy Lawrence and Rodney Atkins will headline the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Kick-Off Concert on Sept. 6, 7-10 p.m. at Happy Canyon Arena. The gates open at 6 p.m.

Ticket prices for rows 1-40 range from $55 to $71; box seats are $75 and the Let ‘er Buck Zone is $94. In addition, VIP standing (includes dinner and malt beverages) is $162.

Tickets went on sale March 14 via www.pendletonroundup.com. They also can be purchased by calling 541-276-2553.

Bookminders to discuss psychological thriller

HERMISTON — “The Heiress” by Rachel Hawkins is the featured selection during the upcoming Bookminders, the Hermiston Public Library’s book club.

The story delves into such themes as greed, abuse, power and family dynamics. It is described as Gothic fiction and a psychological thriller.

The club will meet on Tuesday, April 8, 1:30 p.m. at Hermiston City Hall, 180 NE Second St. All adults are welcome to attend. There is no fee to participate.

A limited number of copies of “The Heiress” can be checked out at the library. For more information, call 541-567-2882.

Adams Library launches Teen Book Challenge

ADAMS — The Adams Public Library is holding a Teen Spring Book Challenge until May 30.

Teens can grab the list of books — it is also posted on the front door of the library.

Every book read gets a raffle ticket and two winners will be drawn on May 30.

The library is located in Adams City Hall, 190 Main St. Hours are 1-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Friday.