About OwyheeStar

Pronounced ~ Oh – Y – He – Star

OwyheeStar grew out of a life time of work with dogs and the love of this area. The name comes from combining Owyhee with Star. The Owyhee name is applied to a town, county, a region, a river, and a mountain range. If you wish to read more about the story and the name Owyhee please follow this link:

http://weims4sale.homestead.com/OwyheeStar/Owyhee.html

As the story goes Owyhee came from misunderstand that some local trappers came to the area from Hawaii. The area ranges from far Eastern Oregon to the Nevada border and well into Idaho. The Owyhee Reservoir when full is the longest lake in Oregon–approximately 54 miles. It is the agricultural lifeline of Malheur County Oregon.

The local economy (agriculturally and economically) is tied to the Treasure Valley and Boise market.  Boise has an International airport and many other amenities.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boise,_Idaho
• http://www.boise.org/
• http://www.boise.worldweb.com/
• http://www.peregrinefund.org/world_center.asp

 

The Nielsen farm is comprised of about a 36 acre parcel of land. Cliff’s father bought the farm in 1951. The farm is located on Onion Avenue in prime row crop farm land. The Snake River is close-by. Irrigation water has never been a problem and, the Nielsens have raised a variety of crops. Crops over the years have varied a great deal included these and more: Corn, Barley, Wheat, Oats, Hay, Potatoes, Onions, Sugar Beets, etc.

Cliff’s father (Cliff, Sr.) is the last living parent last living parent.  He resides and works on the farm.  He was born in 1918 so you do the math.  Recently both he and his twin brother Clifton celebrated their 91st birthday.  He still drives, works, takes care of himself, and has a girlfriend.  We are blessed!

Cliff and Shela married in 1969 and soon after that they moved to the family farm.  They built their current home in 1971.  Both are graduates on Ontario High School.  Cliff has achieved several distinctions along the way including Oregon State Farmer Degree, Foster Parent Certification, as well as being a licensed Real Estate Broker (Oregon and Idaho).  Shela completed a business degree from George Fox University and also holds an inactive Oregon Real Estate Broker’s license.

From approximately 1980 to 2000, Cliff and Shela opened their home to troubled teens.  In the 20 years that they did foster care and ran a group home, more than 500 young adults came through their home.  When most of the teens arrived, their goal was not family life.  Instead, they were looking for a mentor-relationship to help them prepare for the future.

Each teen had their specific goals.  These goals varied but included all the basics needed to get out of the system.  Goals such completing their education, getting a  job, maintaining employment,  saving funds for an apartment, and completing any required treatment goals.

During this time frame. Shela also pioneered a non-profit program that helped hundreds of teens (both in the system and outside the system) accomplish the same type of goals.  This was accomplished through a Federal Independent Living Grant as well as other grant funds.  This could never have been successful without the help of countless volunteers.  Some of the adult volunteers were also gaining  job skills and experience while assisting the teens.

Cliff and Shela have been married 40 years (as of August 2009).  They met while in high school.  They have two children–a son and daughter.  Both are married and have children.  Both families live here in Ontario.  In addition, they have five grandchildren ranging in age from nearly 17 down to 4 years old.

After leaving foster care, they decided to work at Real Estate.  In addition, during their entire married life Cliff and Shela had always raised pups.  For many years they raised Labs.  Shela’s parents had raised Chihuahuas too.

About the time they were getting out of foster care Cliff and Shela began adding more Weimaraners to their lives.  This became an addiction or passion–or both in their words.  The Weim numbers grew and eventually the Labs were no more.  Although their own children still have Labs rather than Weims.

More than a decade later they still have the same passion for the breed.  To them it is a joy to spend time doing something you love.  They cite the people they meet and the hands on experience with the Weims worth the hard work.

They hope to continue on with the Weims for many years. Actually the idea of a Weimaraner is not new to the Nielsen family.  Check out our very first Nielsen Weim story………

http://owyheestar.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/the-first-nielsen-weim/