Fire Danger
Fire danger is climbing across Oregon as August brings hotter, drier weather. Forecasters warn that continued heat and lightning could trigger more natural fire starts, adding to the 53 large fires already fought across the Pacific Northwest since late May. Four major wildfires are currently active on National Forest lands, prompting campfire bans on 15 national forests. Fire danger levels are High to Extreme nearly everywhere—except the Siuslaw National Forest. However WLFEA Chief Michael Schick says that does not mean that extreme caution is not necessary.
“If you look at history around here there’s been some major fires on the coast so it can happen, I think we’re even drier than we were a hundred years ago on the coast so I think you have to expect that it could happen.”
Officials urge the public to double down on fire safety, with 93% of wildfires nationwide this year caused by human activity.
Culinary Academy Offers Classes
Inspire Culinary Academy in Florence has several hands-on cooking classes lined up for adults. While the Essential Knife Skills class on August 9th is already sold out, spots remain for the Family Pizza Building Workshop on August 23rd, the Fall Baking Class on August 30th, and a Cake Decorating class on September 13th. Instructors include Graham Ross, Donna Riani, and Chef Jamie Goodrich. Classes are open to all skill levels and include everything from pizza dough to pastry decorating. To register, visit inspireculinary.org or call 541-590-0351.
Mapleton Hall of Fame
The first-ever Mapleton Athletic Hall of Fame induction will be held this Saturday at Mapleton High School. The first class of inductees includes six individuals and three teams. Leo Pennell from the class of 1949 heads the list along with the woman who would eventually become his wife and longtime physical education teacher and coach Marguerite “Sky” Pennell. The third name on the list has great credentials according to Hall committee member Zach Burtt.
“Sharon Shephard is, maybe, the greatest athlete ever to come out of Mapleton. In the 1950s she was considered maybe the best female shot putter in the nation while she was in high school. Went to, I think, two Olympic Trials, didn’t make the Olympics ever, but she did make the national team. She ended up going to Linfield and was the first ever woman inducted into the Linfield Athletic Hall of Fame.”
Rounding out the individuals will be Lew Dahlin (duh-LINN) from 1965, Tiffanie Lydick of 1995 and Dustin Moore from the class of 1997. Because Mapleton is a small school, Burtt said they’ve combined the team inductees. The Football, Basketball, Track and Field, and Baseball teams from the 1948-49 will be honored, as will the 84-85 Boys Basketball team. The outstanding 2005-2006 Girls Volleyball and Basketball teams round out the inductees. The induction ceremony will be held in conjunction with a barbecue dinner and fund-raising auction to benefit Mapleton athletics Saturday. Doors open at four at the high school gym. Tickets are still available for $25, but need to be purchased in advance by calling Carrie Dean at 541-991-9934.
