PHOTOS BY EILEEN LARAMORE
When the Tom Denchel Ford Country shuttle bus pulled into the empty SAGE Center parking lot in Boardman on the evening of June 14, it looked like the new high-tech museum was closed.
But as people stepped off the bus, the SAGE Center doors opened and a smiling Kalie Davis, SAGE Center manager, welcomed the Tour of Knowledge.
Once inside, the group took a few minutes to orientate themselves, and then hopped in the simulated hot air balloon for a virtual flight over Morrow County. After that, everyone went their separate ways, checking out the exhibits that were of particular interest to them.
“We had a mom and her two boys with us and I think they had a pretty exciting evening,” said Eileen Laramore, executive director for the Tour of Knowledge. “The Tom Denchel Ford Country shuttle bus was a big hit and the hands-on interactive red tractor kept them real busy. Later the boys tested the SAGE Center playground equipment and when we got back to Hermiston they were dropped off at their front door!”
Originally scheduled for April, the tour had to be rescheduled until after the SAGE Center opened.
“But it worked out really well,” said Laramore. “Some people that were signed up for our tour decided to visit the SAGE Center on opening weekend.”
Those on the Tour of Knowledge visit had the center to themselves.
“We had a wonderful time and were able to get the most out of our experiences,” Laramore said. “Great transportation, a great hands-on experience at the SAGE Center – it doesn’t get any better than that.”
The Tour of Knowledge would like to thank Kalie Davis and her staff at the SAGE Center, Cyndie Driscoll with Tom Denchel Ford Country in Hermiston and a special thanks to Michael Warren, who drove the shuttle bus.
The Tour of Knowledge hits the road again on July 9 at 4 p.m. when it visits the Bureau of Reclamation’s Water Exchange Project. The Bike the Bridge event takes place on July 25 and on Aug. 17 at 10 a.m., the tour will be at the CTUIR Native Plant Nursery.
The Tour of Knowledge, which partners with the West Umatilla Chapter of the League of Women Voters, is also in the process of adopting a section of the Umatilla River located on the Oxbow Trail site. Volunteers will be needed to help with site evaluation and cleanup.
For more information on Tour of Knowledge events or the Adopt-a-River program, contact Laramore at (541) 561-8979 or e-mail hermistonleo@yahoo.com.
– Eileen Laramore submitted this post
