Editorial
Would You Pay to Play Feed-The-Crow-To-The-Reporter?
Several weeks ago, we ran my opinion on the old Armory renovation. My comment was short and unkind. The comment doesn’t bear repeating but the basic gist of it was that the old Armory is not the most attractive building and an expensive renovation won’t really change that fact. When I made that comment, I didn’t understand what this facility means to the people of our fair county. Allow me to explain.
After writing that opinion, I had a conversation with my mom warning her to expect the comment in the paper (I do this when I know there will be something in there she may not like). As I tried to explain to her about the barb I’d shot at the volunteers of the Fair Board, she cared to hear nary a word I was saying. Without a blink of her eye she took on an excited tone of voice and began to tell me about the plans her quilt club has for their annual quilt show this summer and how nice it will be to have the old Armory freshly renovated and ready to go. This was the first time I started to realize that most people held about the same opinion as she does, an opinion that was about 180-degrees from my opinion and the comment I put my name to.
The value this community places on that old Armory and its renovation can also be measured in the high number of calls the Fair Board has received from parties looking to book the joint for their gig, from weddings to quilt-shows.
Two weeks ago all I could see was an old armory bunker. After talking to my mom I started to see the level of anticipation the Armory renovation has caused. I’ve also realized the amount of effort and work put in by local volunteers. The amount of corporate foundation sponsor dollars and grant funding toward the project has been phenomenal. Community programs looking for advice on grant writing and fund raising would be wise to consult with the Baker Co. Fair Board.
I’ve measured the community opinions, need and value placed on a newly renovated armory providing a convention/events facility and reassessed my opinion to some degree. May I suggest to the Fair Board another possible fund-raising project toward their renovation project; instead of pinning earrings to a pig, maybe the public would pay for a chance to win prizes playing feed-the-crow-to-the-reporter. (BA)Letter
All Animals Are Good For Something
To The Record-Courier:About 1956 some meetings were held.
Hunters complained of Porcupine quills in their dogs noses.
Cattlemen complained of quills in their cows noses.
Timber industry complained of porky eating new growth pine in spring (true).It was decided to kill all porcupines. F.S. furnished ammo, vehicles and paid their people to hunt them at night.
Some places paid 50 cents per nose bounty. No porcupines. In came the tussock moth, bark beatles and other bad insects. Millions was spent spraying tussock moth and cutting and burning beetle infected areas.
I have examined the stomachs of several porky’s. In spring they did eat new growth pine because there was nothing else to eat. In summer and fall I found evidence of insect larvae and possible bark beetles. In winter stomachs were pretty empty because of no food.
I say that all critters are good for something. Event the rattlesnake eats mice.
Wayne HydeRetired USFSBaker City
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