Around & About: 6.10.10

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, June 9, 2010

A WALK THROUGH THE BACK ALLEYS of Enterprise is an eye opener. The front yards and porches one sees from the street are tidy because all the junk is out back. Well, not in every homeowner’s case, but in many.

Things aren’t much different in Joseph.

Maybe it’s time for a countywide spring cleaning project?

The Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce has sweetened the pot for residents who contribute toward the cost of Fourth of July “Shake the Lake” fireworks. All contributors of $25 or more will be entered into a drawing for a Snake River jet-boat trip for two.

So far, $4,150 has been raised, with $5,350 to raise toward the program’s $9,500 cost.

The chamber, Joseph Chamber Business Association and the county are the major donors as usual, but each year it takes individual contributions to finance the family-friendly Fourth.

To contribute: Shake the Lake, Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 427, Enterprise, OR 97828.

Also for the Fourth, organizers of the county’s Fourth of July parade in Wallowa are seeking entrants – and everyone is eligible. Because the Fourth is on Sunday, the parade has been moved to 1 p.m., to be followed by a community barbecue.

Anything that rolls, walks or otherwise can move can participate – horses, tractors, cars, trucks, bikes, tricycles, dogs and humans all have been in past parades. Musicians especially are needed.

Entrants will assemble at the Wallowa High School football field at noon.To register: Kathy, 541 886-3140, or Linda, 541 263-2883.

YUM! The countywide summer programof free lunches for kids 1 through 18 opens Monday, June 14. Lunch will be served weekdays on this schedule:

Lostine Park – 11:15 to 11:45 a.m.

Wallowa City Park and Enterprise City Park – noon to 12:30 p.m.

Joseph, behind City Hall – 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

The program is conducted by?Community Connection with grant funds and donations. Volunteers are needed to serve and provide kids’ activities such as music and crafts.?For information: Lorri, 541 426-3840.

Joseph artist Lisa Arquette is a thousand bucks’ worth of hardware richer. Her name was drawn from among more than 2,000 who entered from March through May to win the Joseph Hardware “$1,000 Shopping Spree.”

She picked out a tool chest, shop vacuum, chain saw and a treasury of other tools.

“It feels like family at this store,” she said. “They are so great in there. I’m in there sometimes three times a day, and they’re always helpful.”

A LONG RIDE: Eleven members of the Wallowa Assembly of God youth group (and maybe a few more) will be cycling 100 miles from the head of Wallowa Lake to Lewiston starting Friday, June 11, as a fundraiser for church missionaries.

Each youth has raised at least $100 in sponsorships. Adults and other assistants totaling 26 will be on the ride.