UNION — The Union City Council will meet Dec. 12 for a work session and its regular monthly meeting.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. for the work session. The city’s deer problem will be discussed at the session. The council will meet at 7 p.m. for its regular monthly meeting. The work session and meeting will be at Union’s city hall.

Fire destroys workshop near Tollgate Thursday morning

TOLLGATE — A workshop fire near Tollgate completely consumed a building Thursday morning.

The East Umatilla County Rural Fire Protection District received the call at 10:02 a.m. and was later joined by the Pendleton Fire Department.

Juan Avila, the firefighter-in-command for the district, said the building owner was trying to put out the fire with an extinguisher when authorities arrived.

The fire was already in the walls by the time firefighters arrived, and because there was another call in Weston they were tending to, Avila said firefighters focused on protecting some of the surrounding buildings while letting the fire burn itself out.

No one was hurt and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Christmas bells will ring twice Monday downtown

Glenda Mielke’s kindergarten class at Heidi Ho Christian Kindergarten is presenting two bell choir mini-concerts Dec. 12 in downtown La Grande. The mini-concerts take place at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the Potter’s House Christmas Market Place, located in the La Grande Market Place Underground at 1101 Washington Ave.

The performances are free and open to the public. Mrs. Mielke is retiring this year after 29 years at Heidi Ho, and teaching her kindergartners to play Christmas bells has always been a passion of hers.

Christmas music highlights Historical Society gathering

The Union County Historical Society will have a meeting and potluck at noon Dec. 10 in the log cabin at the fairgrounds. The Blue Mountaineers will present a musical holiday memorial to Dottie Brown and will lead Christmas carols.

Holiday vendor fair raises funds for scholarships

The proceeds from Saturday’s Holiday Vendor Fair will benefit scholarships for local high school students. The vendor fair will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 10 in the La Grande Masonic Hall, upstairs at 1303-1/2 Adams Ave., and is sponsored by Order of the Eastern Star’s Hope Chapter #13.

Featured items include chef-quality cookware by Pampered Chef, sanitizing and cleaning products by H2O at Home, gourmet mixes and seasonings by Tastefully Simple, and totes, purses and jewelry by Thirty-One.

Women military veterans group meets Saturday

The women military veterans group will meet at 11 a.m. Dec. 10 at Local Harvest Pizza on Island Avenue in La Grande. For more information call Bobbie at 541-963-5830.

Hit the slopes as Anthony Lakes opens tomorrow

Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort will open for the season Dec. 10. Lifts will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Starting Dec. 17, Anthony Lakes will be open daily during the Christmas break, except for Christmas Day.

‘Christmas with Horses’ event is tomorrow

SUMMERVILLE — Christmas with Horses, a free family event, will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at Summerville Stables, 66967 Hunter Rd., Summerville. The festivities will include horse and pony rides, miniature horse sleigh rides, pictures with Santa, Christmas cookie decorating, ornament making, a bake sale, a petting zoo and hot cocoa and s’mores by the fire. For more information call 541-910-8383 or go to www.summervillestables.com.

Seniors in Union and Cove invited to holiday dinner

UNION — All senior citizens in the communities of Union and Cove are invited to a homemade turkey and ham dinner with all the trimmings at the Catholic Church in Union. The meal will be served from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 11 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 340 10th St., Union.

Meet next year’s CJD court at Christmas party

JOSEPH — The annual Chief Joseph Days Christmas party will begin at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Outlaw Restaurant, 108 N. Main St., Joseph. Those who attend are asked to bring a dish or two to share plus an unwrapped gift or items for the food bank. The 2017 Chief Joseph Days court will also be there.

EOLS directors meet Tuesday in Union

UNION — The December Eastern Oregon Livestock Show Directors meeting is scheduled for Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse located on East Delta Street in Union.

Library’s book club won’t meet this month

The Page Turners Book Club will not meet in December. The book club will resume its regular schedule in January, meeting on the second Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. in the Archives Room at Cook Memorial Library. New members are always welcome.

Commission in La Grande welcomes new members

The City of La Grande’s Community Landscape and Forestry Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Parks & Recreation administrative offices, 2402 Cedar St.

The meeting will include time for public comment. New business on the agenda includes welcoming new commissioners and orientation as well as approving the Tree City Growth Award criteria.

Island City Elementary hosts Retired Educators group

The Union County Retired Educators will meet at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 14 at Island City Elementary School for lunch and entertainment. The group will be hosted by Principal John Tolan, students and staff.

Help kids cope with divorce, separation

Learn how divorce or separation impacts your children and what you can do to help them at a workshop offered from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 15 in the Misener Conference Room, 1001 Fourth St., La Grande. This is for adults only; do not bring your children.

The workshop is facilitated by Mary Lu Pierce and sponsored by the Family Law Advisory Committee. Cost is $30 per person (cash or check only). Support persons and community members may attend free of charge. For more information call 541-962-9500, ext. 2228.

La Grande School Board to meet Dec. 14

The La Grande School Board will meet Dec. 14. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. in Room 11 of La Grande High School. LHS’s tennis courts will be one of the subjects discussed at the meeting.