Letters and Comments for August 13, 2009

Grende, Patterson

Quick action saves life

To the Editor:

This letter is in recognition of an incident that occurred Saturday at the Union Grassroots Festival and Car Show.

We would like to thank one of the car show participants for coming to the aid of a child stuck at the dam in the Catherine Creek swimming area at Union Park.

Michael A. Johnson from Ontario was taking his two kids to wade in the water when he saw a little girl. She was stuck in the dam and could not move.

He immediately responded by going in and got her free and back to land safely.

Jennie and I and the rest of the car show crew would like to thank him again for his efforts to save the child’s life.

Just a reminder to all parents and children: anybody can drown in just a little bit of water.

Ernie Grende, North Powder

Jennie Johnson, Union

Record-setting Shrine event 

To the Editor:

Wow! All records were broken July 31 when Union County Shrine Club served a free barbecue to the East-West Shrine players, coaching staff and their families at Riverside Park.

We served more than 550 people — the most ever. The donation jar for the Shrine Hospital for Children contained $1,385.25 — the most ever.

And we could not have hosted a better group than those outstanding (and hungry) 60 Shrine football players and their families. Many Shriners from all over Oregon also attended, including the Divan from Al Kader Temple in Portland.

While the actual Shrine Football Game is in Baker City, the players are only there the day of the game. They are in La Grande for a full week staying at EOU and having daily practices. Some parents take their vacation time and spend it in Union County during that time, taking day excursions around Union and Wallowa counties, while others come up for the last couple of days. All were at the barbecue and were impressed with the friendliness and warm hospitality they received in

La Grande.

Thanks to Janet Dodson and Union County Tourism’s Traeger-barbecued chicken and local merchants who continue to encourage and support this annual event. You are very much appreciated because we couldn’t do this without you.

From being active with the game committee for more than 25 years, I personally know this experience in Eastern Oregon results in young people choosing EOU for their college education, and of families choosing to relocate or retire to our wonderful Eastern Oregon.

In case you were unable to attend or missed this very exciting game televised on FOXNW, the score was East 17, West 13.

Next year’s game will be July 31. Mark your calendars now to watch the players practice at EOU the week before.

And if you know of a child who needs medical help, please contact our local Shrine representative, Jim Voelz, at 963-3881.

Donna Patterson

Union