Relay For Life
The American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life was held in Baker City, July 24-25 at the Baker High School track.
Thirty-eight teams, 500 participants, were involved in this year’s overnight event. The relay is held during the nighttime to symbolize going from the darkness of first learning a cancer diagnosis to the light (at sunrise) when treatments work and cancer falls into remission.
2009 marked the 25th anniversary of Relay for Life and the 5th anniversary of Baker City’s participation during which local friends and family gather to celebrate those they have lost to cancer, those who have survived, and encourage patients in the midst of battling cancer. Baker City’s teams raised approximately $70,000 during this year’s event with additional donations still pending.
The local Relay for Life is co-chaired by Gloria Schott and Kelly Hardy. Nearly 3 dozen volunteers comprise the event’s various committees.
BPA Rate Increase More Than Reported
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) received specific wholesale power rate increase data from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the news is not good.
On Tuesday, July 21, BPA announced that its overall wholesale power rate increase would be 7 percent. BPA’s rate increase specific to OTEC will actually be 7.6 percent. This amounts to an increase of $1,269,883 per year.
Werner Buehler, OTEC General Manager, expressed his frustrations with the ups and downs of the rate increase process. “BPA started out with a proposed 9.4 percent increase, then it was suggested that the increase would be in the high teens to low 20 percent, then they suggested 6.8 percent, then they announced 7 percent in last weeks press release, but the reality is 7.6 percent,” explains Buehler.
(Photo by Bow McEwen)
Gus Thoreson
Elks Bull And Bronc Riding Results
The Baker Elks Bronc & Bull Riding Blowout events took place July 17th & 18th at the Baker County Fairgrounds in Baker City, Oregon for the thirteenth and fifteenth years, respectively. The Friday night bronc riding was loaded with crowd pleasing action as 26 qualified rides came from 36 contestants in the first of the three rounds. The broncs were collectively amazing in their performances, but the riders were a match in their desire to advance to the next two rounds. The top eleven riders by score advanced to the second round, and these included Bold Butler and Joe Heguy with 89 scores; Brian Martinat and Baker City’s own Levi Bunch with 85 scores; Jared McFarlane with an 84; Delano Kjos, Spencer Wright, 2007 Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association World Champion Taos Muncy and Gus Thoreson with 83 scores; and brothers Kayle Gray and Corey Gray with 82 scores. Out of these eleven, six advanced to the championship round based on their second round scores of 87 for Delano Kjos and Kayle Gray, 85 for Spencer Wright, 81 for Bold Butler and Brian Martinat, and 77 for Taos Muncy. In the third and championship round Delano Kjos and Bold Butler each scored an 84 for a tie with Brian Martinat making the only other qualified ride for 76 points.
Durkee Steak Feed Comes To An End
No one still involved remembers what year the Durkee Steak Feed began. It was originally put on as a way to thank the haying crews who spent the long, hot days of summer cutting and stacking winter feed for the valley’s cattle herds. Then, as tractors took over the jobs formerly done by teams of horses, the Durkee Steak Feed evolved into a way to raise funds to maintain the Durkee Grange Hall. For most of its life, the Steak Feed took place in what was known as Hindman Meadows, on the banks of Burnt River; a number of years ago this annual summer gathering of the valley’s ranchers and of townsfolk from the surrounding cities and towns moved to the grounds of the old Durkee School/Grange Hall. It was felt by those who did the work that the Hall, with it’s restrooms and kitchen facilities, would make the job of putting on the Steak Feed a little easier.
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