Despite what some people see as the small-mindedness of small towns, there are those minorities who embrace the friendliness that comes from knowing one's neighbors and having safe streets. No more is that found than in La Grande, Oregon.
Ulysses O. Cabug-os is one of those folks who has found his Shangri-La in La Grande. He has lived there for a number of years, happily raising his children and with his extended family running a Travelodge on the main street of the town.
What does Cabug-os enjoy about La Grande? "It's friendly," he says. "But there's more than that. People here are good neighbors. It is a safe place to raise children. I love sports and find many athletic things to do in this town."
Cabug-os proudly displayed the emblems of his racing, as he enjoys running along the roads and trails of La Grande as part of a group of people who enjoy the outdoor activities in the area. The winters may ordinarily be long and harsh, but folks like Cabug-os find enough sunshine both in the weather and the winning ways of the people to make a happy home in Eastern Oregon.
This historic grade school, built in 1906, is attended by many of the town's children, part of the safety and small town ambiance of La Grande, Oregon.
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Those who don't like sports or cold weather enjoy the art galleries and book stores that dominate much of the downtown area or take their children to the movies where Alice in Wonderland was playing at the time of this report.
This movie theater has been in La Grande, Oregon for many decades and was showing Alice in Wonderland when this report was written.
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This bookstore has a fine collection of books from the history of La Grande, Oregon and surrounding area.
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Movie theaters are important for people in small towns. This one has been in La Grande for more than six decades and counting.
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La Grande has its problems, Cabug-os declares. He answered, when asked what the issues are these days in La Grande, "There have been a lot of layoffs. The college has a big enrollment, but there have been cutbacks in the money to run programs. People are looking for jobs. I would say finding jobs is the biggest problem here." He also talked about some of the difficulties found in construction in towns where many homes were built before modern building codes. "Asbestos is a problem in some of the older homes. People have to be careful when they have their homes remodeled."
Many of the older homes, like these on Ash Street in La Grande, have had problems with asbestos that was used in the interior of houses as part of insulation.
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Does he intend to remain in La Grande? Cabug-os smiled broadly and said, "Of course. I love it here. I am happy and have a good life. There's plenty for me to do here and for my family. What else is there?"
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