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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 21, 2017)
A4 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2017 Our Community Brushing, fl ossing and other dental obsessions I don’t like the dentist . Not any particular dentist — just going to the dentist in general. Despite what my friends might say, I have a small mouth. That, cou- pled with having anxiety about not being able to breathe be- cause of asth- ma, makes my mouth not very us- er-friend- ly when it comes to Tammy dental work. Malgesini Seriously, INSIDE MY SHOES there’s not very much room in there for my teeth, much less hands, mirrors, suction tubes and various instruments that I prob- ably don’t even care to know what they are called. It seems quite unfair that I brush my teeth sev- eral times a day (I even have a toothbrush in my desk at work) and I have all kinds of funky imple- ments to clean and dis- lodge debris from between my teeth and gums. Yet, I seem to have my share of dental issues. And, don’t even get me started on dental fl oss. Too late. I fl oss with regularity — more in the past fi ve years than ever before. It hasn’t gotten to the lev- el of a social activity, which I get the impression from my dental hygienist wouldn’t be a bad thing. The interesting thing is, I recently came across an article in Time — “How Dental Floss Became a Thing in the First Place,” Aug. 2, 2016 — that sug- gests fl ossing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The article talked about the history of dental fl oss (yeah, I know, a riveting subject). It ends with, “To- day, however, the value of dental fl oss is not so cer- tain.” Another thing I’m in- trigued with is the special- ty areas in dentistry. Back in the day, your regular dentist was one-stop shop- ping. They did it all, from basic care to extractions and root canals. Now that I think about it, maybe there is one den- tist I don’t like. It seems my parents paid for a root canal when I was in high school that I never actu- ally got. I remember get- ting hit in the mouth with a rock and it resulted in a slow and agonizing death of the tooth. The fi x — a root canal and cap. Evidently, the dentist decided to collect the extra cash for the root canal without actually per- forming the procedure. Or he did such a lousy job, the endodontic specialist I saw in the fall couldn’t tell it had ever been done. I recently looked up the dentist’s name on the Ore- gon Board of Dentistry. It seems he had some issues over the years. While I can’t be certain that dentist did me wrong decades ago, I do know I didn’t get the best set of choppers genetically. I won’t hold that against my mom and pops. Before I had braces, I could have left a pretty gnarly bite mark. They did sacrifi ce to give me a straight smile — something I appreciate to this day. ——— Tammy Malgesini is the community editor. Her column, Inside my Shoes, includes general musings about life. Contact her at tmalgesini@eastore- gonian.com or 541-564- 4539. Adult programs continue at Hermiston library Adults are invited to attend specialty groups that meet regularly at the Hermiston Public Li- brary. •Yarn Club meets Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. Lovers of needlecraft are invited to attend •Writer’s Group meets the fourth Thursday of each month. The writing community offers sup- port, encouragement and motivation •Photography Club meets the second Tues- day of each month at 5:30 p.m. The group often par- ticipates in photo-taking fi eld trip. Each of the groups are free and open to the pub- lic. For more information, call 541-567-2882 or stop by the library at 235 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. Printed on recycled newsprint E-mail your community news items to: community@hermistonherald.com Nurse’s aide bids farewell after 46 years Eleanor Hockensmith spends entire career at Good Shepherd By TAMMY MALGESINI COMMUNITY EDITOR When she fi rst started taking medically-related classes nearly fi ve decades ago, Eleanor Hockensmith had no intention of working at a hospital or clinic. “When I took the train- ing, I didn’t intend to work. I took the classes to have the knowledge to take care of my family,” Hockensmith said Friday during a retire- ment celebration at Good Shepherd Medical Center. Hockensmith and her late husband, Charles, had four children, Bill, Mary Lou, John and Michael. The Hermiston woman worked longer than any oth- er employee in the history of Good Shepherd Health Care System. Her 46 years of service, said Kelly Sand- ers, vice president of human resources, will likely never be exceeded. Of the 63 years Good Shepherd has been operating, Hockensmith has worked for the hospital for just over 73 percent of its existence. Hockensmith started her employment as a nurse’s aide March 27, 1971. She initially worked in the OB department in the old hos- pital building located on Or- chard Avenue. In 1983, she transferred to the medical/ surgery department, initial- ly working the night shift, and later the evening shift. Hockensmith, Sanders said, is one of the few remaining STAFF PHOTO BY TAMMY MALGESINI Eleanor Hockensmith is all smiles Friday while people greet her at a retirement celebration in her honor after 46 years with Good Shepherd Health Care System. STAFF PHOTO BY TAMMY MALGESINI Eleanor Hockensmith, right, gets help cutting her cake from her niece, Marjorie Hoagland. employees who made the move from the old hospi- tal to the current facility in 1985. In August 1995, Hock- ensmith transferred to a part-time position in Good Shepherd’s TLC Home Health Care department, which later combined with the Vange John Memorial Hospice. When those de- partments later separated in March 2012, Hockensmith remained with the hospice department as a certifi ed home health and hospice aide until retiring June 2, 2017 — after 46 years and 68 days with Good Shep- herd. “I enjoyed taking care of people,” Hockensmith said. And, people appreciated the care she provided. During Hockensmith’s retirement celebration, which included upwards of 100 people, Ken Free- man shared about the fi rst time he met her in 2013. Hockensmith had entered the room where Freeman’s mom was. “I watched her — that lady took such great care of my mother,” Freeman said. “She was a great fi rst face for hospice. She is one of a kind.” The nurse’s aide even in- spired Freeman. The Herm- iston man started volunteer- ing for hospice about a year ago. Carollyn Robinson, hos- pice clinical liaison, said she always appreciated Hock- ensmith’s willingness to help. She often came in on short notice when someone called in sick. Hockensmith, Robinson said, exhibited loyalty and dedication to the people she worked with, as well as the patients. “Her heart is huge,” she said. Luanne Brownfi eld of Heppner, who worked with Hockensmith for 26 years, said the nurse’s aide was like the Energizer Bunny. “She ran us ragged,” Brownfi eld said as many nodded in agreement. Although frustrated at times with technology and computers, Brownfi eld said Hockensmith was will- ing to learn. Brownfi eld said Hockensmith is proof that “we can teach an old dog new tricks.” However, Brownfi eld said they had to get additional help on a couple of occasions because passwords were lost. “I didn’t lose it. The computer just didn’t go along with it,” Hockensmith explained. Hockensmith loves to sew and cook. In addition to many winning entries over the years at the Uma- tilla County Fair, she has been named Homemaker of the Year on numerous occa- sions. She plans to contin- ue using her talents to help other people, including a current project of making chair backpacks at Hermis- ton Terrace. Umatilla Landing Days expands festival In celebration of the town’s 155th anniversary, Umatilla Landing Days will feature a two-day celebra- tion. The festival kicks off Fri- day from 5-10 p.m. at Uma- tilla Marina Park. Geared towards an adult crowd, the evening offers food ven- dors, a beer garden and live music, including The Out- siders and Grupo Viajero. The event kicks into high gear Saturday, starting with a parade at 10 a.m. in down- town Umatilla. After the parade, the fun moves to the marina park, which will fea- ture a full schedule of en- tertainment and activities. In addition, craft and food vendors will be on hand. Additional displays and educational activities in- FILE PHOTO Umatilla Landing Days offers a variety of vendors at Umatilla Marina Park. The event kicks off Friday evening with food vendors, a beer garden and live music. It continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., including a fi reworks display at dusk. clude boater safety informa- tion, along with boat rides from the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Offi ce marine di- vision, personnel from the Umatilla Rural Fire Pro- tection District and a drunk driving display trailer from the Oregon Department of Transportation. The day also features a salsa making contest (en- tries must be submitted by noon), a soccer tournament and an Instagram photo contest — be sure to use the hashtag #UmatillaLanding- Days2017. Also, Nuketown is the featured evening per- former. There is a $5 parking fee at the gate. Money is used to help cover costs for the fi reworks show, which will fi ll the air Saturday at dusk. For more information, call 541-922-4825 or search Facebook for “Umatilla Landing Days.” VOLUME 111 ● NUMBER 21 DENTAL Itsuratce Gary L. West | Editor • gwest@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4532 Physiciats Mutual Itsuratce Compaty Tammy Malgesini | Community Editor • tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4539 Jayati Ramakrishnan | Reporter • jramakrishnan@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4534 A less expetsive way to help get the dettal care you deserve If you’re over 50, you can get coverage for about $1 a day* No wait for preventive care and no deductibles – you could get a checkup Jade McDowell | Reporter • jmcdowell@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4536 Keep your own dentist! NO netlorks to tomorrol lorry about Coverage for over 350 procedures Jeanne Jewett | Multi-Media consultant • jjewett@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4531 NO annual or lifetime cap o n the cash including cleanings, exams, fi llings, crolns… even dentures benefi ts you can receive Shannon Paxton | Offi ce coordinator • spaxton@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4530 FREE Information Kit Audra Workman | Multi-Media consultant • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4538 1-877-599-0125 Dawn Hendricks | Circulation District Manager • dhendricks@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4540 To contact the Hermiston Herald for news, advertising or subscription information: • call 541-567-6457 • e-mail info@hermistonherald.com • stop by our offi ces at 333 E. Main St. • visit us online at: hermistonherald.com The Hermiston Herald (USPS 242220, ISSN 8750-4782) is published weekly at Hermiston Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR 97838, (541) 567-6457. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES Delivered by carrier and mail Wednesdays Inside Umatilla/Morrow counties .......... $42.65 Outside Umatilla/Morrow counties ....... $53.90 Periodical postage paid at Hermiston, OR. Postmaster, send address changes to Hermiston Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR 97838. Member of EO Media Group Copyright ©2017 MORE HD CHANNELS FASTER INTERNET AND UNLIMITED PHONE. CALL TODAY AND PAY LESS 800-718-0153 • Speeds up to 100Mbps • Unlimited data – no data caps BEST INTERNET OFFER AS LOW AS 34 99 $ /per mo. for 12 mos FREE ACCESS TO WiFi HOTSPOTS UP TO 100MBPS UNLIMITED CALLING Murder is s P Par for the Course DINNER p en & Shrim ck hi C Fettuccine Saturday, July 1st 5:30PM • $25 per Person • Maxwell Siding Event Center Corner C Co o r rn n e of Locust & 1st PI (Behind Nookies) Hermiston, OR * The MOST HD | SUPERFAST Internet | SUPERIOR Voice 125+ CHANNELS www.dettal50plus.com/25 *Individual plan. Product not available in MN, MT, NH, RI, VT, WA. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, NY; call 1-800-969-4781 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150(GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN) 6096C MB16-NM001Gc Triple Play Select $ TV, INTERNET AND PHONE from 89 99 /mo each for 12 mos when bundled* Seating is limited Call Dave for info and tickets 541.567.8774 Purple Ridge Lavender Festival June 24th - 9am to 5pm 2891 Bridge Road, Hermiston Magic in the fields! Come enjoy the backdrop of beautiful blooming lavender and a masterful quilt expo. Listen to live music as you stroll through the fields of lavender. Guests are encouraged to don their favorite storybook consumes and receive $2 off admission! General admission: $10 • Including beer tasting: $12 Gen nera ne n ral admissio Proceeds go to Agape House and Pr Martha’s House