Terry Hughes, owner of Farmers Insurance and the president of the Blue Mountain chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, talks about NAIFA and its mission Tuesday to MaryEllen LaBerge and Teresa Crouser of Shelter from the Storm. Hughes presented a check for $1,000 in support of Shelter’s 3 Rivers Race. BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH / The Observer

A key Shelter from the Storm fundraiser got a big boost this week from the Blue Mountain chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

With the 3 Rivers Race coming up June 2, Terry Hughes, NAIFA chapter president and owner of Farmer’s insurance in La Grande, handed over a $1,000 check to Shelter from the Storm in support of the event.

Andrew Stubblefield (foreground) and his father Gary Stubblefield of Stubblefield Construction share a laugh as they take some measurements during work at La Grande’s Market Place in the New Town Square building last Thursday. Local contractors are being used exclusively on the massive interior remodel. BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH / The Observer

Remodeled building to serve as indoor retail community, business incubator, educational facility 

When Al Adelsberger gets to talking about La Grande’s Market Place, his enthusiasm quickly builds to a fever pitch. Big dreams about giving small business owners a hand up, and even bigger dreams about giving the city something to be proud of, come through loud and clear. He’s got a motto, one he repeats often: “Keep it local, think global.”

Looking Glass Books owner Greg Bogard opens a box of World Book Night books for Ashley Cogburn, a student teacher at Stella Mayfield Elementary School in Elgin. Cogburn said she planned to distribute the free books, including copies of “The Hunger Games,” to students in her current class and in one she taught earlier at La Grande High School. World Book Night gave away 1 million books on April 23, the possible anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth and death. BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH / The Observer

There’s a little confusion over William Shakespeare’s date of birth. Historians like to say it was April 23, 1564, but they don’t know for sure. 

It is known the bard was baptized April 26 of that year, and it’s tidy to believe — whether it’s true or not — that he was born a few days earlier, say, on April 23.

That adds a little poetry to the poet’s life, since he died April 23, 1619.  

Jim McClure of Legacy Ford (left) has been donating his own time to help stranded motorists Robert and Marion Killans resume their journey to California. The elderly couple have been staying in their motor home at the Walmart parking lot the past week. McClure has been assisting with repairs. BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH / The Observer

Parts and service worker at local Ford dealer comes to aid of pair after their Chevrolet RV breaks down and leaves them stranded at Island City Walmart 

Sojourners Robert and Marion Killans found out recently that Union County isn’t the worst place in the world to end up in times of trouble.

The elderly couple set out from Sweet Home on March 26, bound for Yucca Valley in California by way of Burley, Idaho. They were traveling in an older Chevrolet motor home and hauling a Grand Torino automobile, a gift for the daughter of a friend in Burley.

GARY BOTTGER, who plays Captain Hook in the Elgin Opera House production of “Peter Pan,” poses for a picture along with his wife, Kate.

ELGIN — The red carpet was rolled out March 14 for the annual Elgin Chamber of Commerce Awards banquet.

A full sell-out crowd descended on the Elgin Community Center to honor the men and women who contribute to the community, but also to honor the upcoming 100th birthday of the Elgin Opera House.   

RUSSEL HUNT, OWNER of RAH manufacturing, runs some tests during a Water Pal training session in West Virginia with Dr. Lynell Braught. In La Grande, Hunt is manufacturing the Water Pal water softening device that Braught designed.

Summerville couple turns out device that makes water softer, better tasting

TAYDIE McANDIE takes her turn on the runway during the fashion show portion of Saturday’s N.E. Oregon Bridal Show Saturday at the Blue Mountain Conference Center in La Grande. CHRIS BAXTER / The Observer photos

Brides-to-be connect with local businesses at Northeast Oregon Bridal Show 

Diana and Scott Thatcher, owners of the Ace hardware store in the La Grande Town Center, employ five people in their new sporting goods section and 20 people throughout the store. BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH / The Observer

Ace Hardware in the La Grande Town Center on Island Avenue is growing, and in a way that should please people who love the great outdoors.

On March 1, owners Scott and Diana Thatcher opened their new sporting goods department, a store-within-a-store that looks and feels like the outdoor emporiums shoppers find in much larger towns.  

Jeni Kayoa, left, and Jeff Clark were two of about 30 people who joined a “Cash Mob” last Friday, marching on Bella Mercantile on Adams Avenue and spending $1,100 in an hour of shopping. Cash Mobs are cropping up all over the United States and Canada, encouraging people to shop local. BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH / The Observer

About 30 people who feel passionately about shopping local let their wallets do the talking last week, marching on Bella Mercantile in downtown La Grande and doing over $1,000 worth of business there in about an hour. 

Together, the participants were a “cash mob,” taking part in a “Shop Local” movement that seems to be sweeping the nation. 

AT GRANDE RONDE HOSPITAL’S open house for its newly-opened Regional ENT (ears, nose and throat) Clinic and Regional Orthopedic Clinic, Rob and Chris McNeil receive a guided tour of the clinic from nurse and moonlighting tour guide, Pam Canavan. In this procedure room, Canavan provides information about some of the latest cutting-edge equipment available for patients visiting the clinic’s recently-hired MD, otolaryngologist Dr. Brian Affleck. CHRIS BAXTER / The Observer

The Grande Ronde Hospital Foundation hosted an open house at the hospital’s Regional Medical Plaza Friday, unveiling the new ear, nose and throat clinic and orthopedic clinic for the public, and introducing the clinics’ physicians.