It’s a great title and a great sentiment, certainly preferable to the oft-repeated “Laughter is the best medicine,” which is an overstatement.

At age 90 McLaughlin enjoys few things more than doing the waltz during midday dance sessions at the Union County Senior Center.

“I like the rhythm of the dance. I feel like a swan gliding over water,’’ McLaughlin said.

A swan who moves better than people many years her junior.

A step that likely was controversial — one taken in 1912 by Rev. T.A. Schoenberg, then the new pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church in La Grande.

It was a move that revealed Schoenberg’s foresight and is one of many steps taken by La Grande Zion Lutheran church leaders and congregation members that will be commemorated this weekend as the church celebrates its 120th anniversary beginning Friday.

Jake Merriman, above, smiles on the deck of the Pacific Dream, right, July 31. Merriman and four other paralyzed men were part of a charter fishing boat group that participated in the Oregon Tuna Classic in Ilwaco. Tom Merriman, Jake’s uncle, owns the Pacific Dream and made arrangements to take the group fishing.

The ocean spray misted everyone on board, and it was cold, but he gamely sat at the railing, trying to catch an Albacore tuna.

DOGGED BY THE PINKERTONS, the James-Younger Gang decide to split up and attempt to throw the deputized Pinkerton agents off their trail. From left, are Jim Whitherspoon, Jack Armstrong, Rick Hagen, Frank Edward and Glen Edmondson. - Photos by Jerry Gowins

Screaming Flea Productions, Inc. (formerly Belo Productions) is an award-winning producer of non-fiction and documentary programming for leading networks such as National Geographic, A&E and The History Channel. Its most current film about Jesse James was produced by Sandy Dang-Asher. The re-enactments were directed by 32-year-old Billy McMillin and filmed by his father, Bill McMillin.

4-H Leader Ken Patterson was honored as leader of the year at the recent 2009 4-H Recognition Dinner. - Photos/TRISH YERGES

Ken Patterson, who was named the leader of the year at the recent 2009 4-H Recognition Dinner at the Ag Service Center, has been involved in numerous aspects of 4-H since becoming a leader 15 years ago.

The 4-H leader of the year award is given to a member who inspires others to greater personal achievements and does so by example.

Two years ago Dixie Lund was searching for guidance after being confronted with one of the most difficult decisions of her life.

Lund’s husband, Ed, and a timely message on a football card soon helped her find the direction she needed.

Lund, three years years into retirement after a 31-year career at Eastern Oregon University, was preparing to celebrate her 38th wedding anniversary in July 2007. Suddenly a phone call took the edge off her celebratory mood.

COVE — Northeast Oregonians have a strong sense of place, whether they were born here or relocated to the area intentionally.

The Blue and Wallowa mountains offer boundless recreational opportunities, and the country lifestyle is attractive to many transplants. It’s no wonder Union County institutions like Ascension School Camp in Cove, with the Eagle Cap Wilderness as a backdrop, has attracted several modern day pioneers. The camp is a longstanding Northeast Oregon tradition, having started in 1924.