COMMUNITY
Saturday, July 30, 2022
East Oregonian
Hermiston Altrusa sees declining membership
By TAMMY
MALGESINI
East Oregonian
HERMISTON — When
Altrusa International cele-
brated its centennial year in
2017, the Hermiston club,
with 53 members, was one of
the largest in District Twelve
— which encompasses
Oregon, Washington, Idaho,
Montana, Alaska and British
Columbia, Canada.
Altrusa International of
Hermiston currently has
33 registered members.
However, membersh ip
numbers don’t provide the
whole picture, said Debbie
McBee, District Twelve
governor-elect. McBee, a
member of Altrusa Interna-
tional of Pendleton, sent an
urgent email to the Hermis-
ton club’s membership.
“O n ly ab out eig ht
members are keeping your
club alive,” McBee wrote.
“As you can imagine, that is a
huge undertaking for a small
group.”
McBee and Cathy Lloyd,
newly-installed president
of the Hermiston club, said
the problem isn’t unique
to Altrusa International.
Many service clubs and
organizations, they said,
are experiencing dwindling
memberships.
Some members have died,
while others have moved
away or are traveling more,
Lloyd said. Also, other orga-
nizations and commitments
are vying for people’s time.
“We see more and more
families where both part-
ners are working,” Lloyd
said. “They have to choose
A7
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
HERMISTON
ALTRUSA MEET-
AND-GREET
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 2.
TIME: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hermiston
Starbucks, 990 S.
Highway 395.
WHO: Men and women.
WHAT: Opportunity to
get involved.
QUESTIONS: 458-206-
6337, clloyd10@msn.com.
East Oregonian, File
Members of Altrusa International of Hermiston spread bark
chips May 1, 2021, in the landscaping at Hermiston’s Belt
Park. People can learn how to join and get involved with the
service club during a meet-and-greet Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022,
at Hermiston Starbucks.
what their priorities are and
where to spend their time and
energy.”
Reengaging inactive
members and recruiting
new ones, McBee said, are
key to increasing Altru-
sa’s membership. She urged
Hermiston Altrusans to reach
out to potential members.
What is Altrusa?
Originally called Altrusa
Institute, Mamie L. Bass
founded the service orga-
nization in 1917 in Nash-
ville. The name “Altrusa”
is derived from combining
altruism and USA.
Altrusa was originally
established for female busi-
ness owners, managers and
professional women. It later
expanded to include all
women, as well as men.
McBee said Altrusans
share their talents in “exem-
plifying the tradition of
neighbor helping neighbor.”
The Hermiston club, she said,
has a long history of impact-
ful projects, even during the
pandemic.
Seeking an opportunity
to participate in community
service, Lloyd joined Altrusa
a decade ago. A bonus, she
said, is the camaraderie
among members.
“Anytime we get together,
it’s pretty fun,” Lloyd said.
“It doesn’t seem like work
when we get together and do
a project.”
Altrusa’s goal is to make
a positive difference both
locally and across the globe.
Lloyd said they focus on such
things as literacy, education,
environmental concerns and
fundraising to provide support
to projects and programs.
Donating time and money,
Altrusans work together to
benefi t others, she said.
The majority of the Herm-
iston club’s efforts, Lloyd
said, are focused on the local
community. Everything
from providing financial
support or in-kind donations
for a multitude of commu-
nity programs to hosting
fundraisers and engaging in
manual labor — park clean-
ups, sewing projects and
painting rooms — the list
is extensive in all the ways
Altrusans have impacted
the community. In turn, the
community has supported
Altrusa by donating to and
attending fundraisers.
And now, more than ever,
Altrusa needs the commu-
nity, McBee said. People
interested in joining their
eff orts to make the world a
better place are encouraged
to learn more about the orga-
nization and consider joining.
“Members can give as much
or as little time as they want,”
McBee said. “It’s a flexible
organization that can accom-
modate anyone’s age, needs,
schedule, skills and budget.”
Tammy Malgesini/East Oregonian
Madison Pollock, along with her children, Clarabell, 4,
and Lane, 1, pose for a photo on Wednesday, July 27,
2022, at the Oxbow Trail in Hermiston.
Hermiston woman
unearths bounty
in treasure hunt
East Oregonian
HERMISTON — Super
sleuth Madison Pollock
found the hidden medallion
after just two clues during the
National Night Out treasure
hunt. Inside a small treasure
chest, the bounty was hidden
at a makeshift rock trading
post under an information
board at the Oxbow Trail.
After discussing the
clues with her mother-in-
law, Tracey Pollock, and
her grandmother, Connie
Ferranti, the Hermiston
woman, along with her
children, Clarabell, 4, and
Lane, 1, headed out early in
the morning on Wednesday,
July 27, 2022, to search.
As the winner of the
treasure hunt, the Hermis-
ton Police Department and
city of Hermiston will host
an ice cream social block
party in her grandmother’s
East Quince Avenue neigh-
borhood on Tuesday, Aug. 2
during Hermiston’s National
Night Out festivities.
O t he r c om mu n it y
members are encouraged
to organize neighborhood
parties, cookouts or gather-
ings during National Night
Out, an initiative that aims
to connect communities
with their neighbors and
law enforcement. As avail-
able, city personnel and
fi rst responders will stop
by and mingle.
Those planning a gath-
ering are invited to provide
time and location informa-
tion to Cpl. Tim Miears at
541-667-5112 or tmiears@
hermiston.or.us.
Alexander William Jackson
October 13, 1943 - July 25, 2022
M-F festival features Pro-West rodeo, live music
By BRITTANY
ANDERSON
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
MILTON-FREEWATER
— The Milton-Freewater
Pioneer Posse on Satur-
day and Sunday, July 30-31,
hosts its second annual
Pro-West Rodeo at the Posse
grounds off Highway 11
in Milton-Freewater. The
rodeo is among a variety of
events taking place during
the Weekend at the Blues
festival.
At the rodeo, the Cook
Shack will be open serving
classic concessions like burg-
ers and hot dogs and Dragon’s
Gate Brewery will host a beer
garden.
The FrogHollow Band
is slated to play at the after-
party following the rodeo,
which will feature drinks
from Dragon’s Gate Brew-
ery and food by Kelly’s
Restaurant and Lounge.
The coinciding festival
at Yantis Park is planned for
July 29-30 and will feature
musical acts and vendors.
This is a community
aff air, and the weekend will
be full of fun activities for the
whole family. A soccer tour-
nament and camp and a city-
wide yard sale are planned
in addition to the Weekend
at the Blues Parade, which
starts at 11 a.m. July 30.
Sign-ups for these events
and a map of yard sales can
be found at the Weekend at
the Blues website.
The Pro-West Rodeo is
a lot like the one that takes
place each year at the Walla
Walla County Fairgrounds,
but it features a different
level of competition from the
Professional Rodeo Cowboys
Association, or PRCA. Locals
and kids as young as 14 can
enter this rodeo, so there
will be lots of local compet-
itors along with professional
cowboys you may recognize
from the pro rodeo.
Some competitions are
best left to the locals — the
Calf Panty Pull is still open to
entries, but a limited number
of teams will be selected
to compete. The rules are
simple: the fi rst team of two
to drag the calf to the line,
put on its panties, and bring it
back to the starting line wins.
The Pro-West Rodeo took
place at the Posse grounds
for the fi rst time in 2021 and
was a standalone event. The
plan is to expand each year
and make Weekend at the
Blues Milton-Freewater’s
new annual family festi-
val. So far it’s shaping up to
be a success, with several
additional events this year
and even more mapped out
through 2025.
Putting on a Pro-West
rodeo is no small task, so
the community has come
together to make it happen.
The McLaughlin High
School FFA and Athe-
na-Weston alumni are among
the groups pitching in to
make the rodeo a great expe-
rience. Proceeds from ticket
sales go to local school clubs
and programs, like sports and
Mac-Hi FFA.
Tickets for the rodeo
and after party are avail-
able online and prices vary
depending on which events
are included in the ticket
package. There are discounts
for current military, veterans,
and fi rst responders. Children
5 years and under can attend
the rodeo free.
To fi nd tickets and read
more about the festival, go to
pwposserodeo.com or week-
endattheblues.com
Alexander William Jackson of
Hermiston, Oregon, passed away
in Hermiston on July 25, 2022, at
the age of 78.
He was born Oct. 13, 1943,
in Seattle, Washington, the son
of Larry and Ruby (Soboleff)
Jackson. Alexander grew up in
Angoon, Alaska, completing high
school at Juneau Douglas High. He
served in the U.S. Army and National Guard, receiving
an honorable discharge.
He began working in Juneau, Alaska, as a mail
carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. He then moved his
family to Oregon where there was more opportunity
and he could attend college.
In the early 1970s, he chose a career with the
Northwest Iron Workers. He then located to Irrigon,
Oregon, where he worked as an ironworker until later
retiring in Hermiston, Oregon, in 2006.
Alexander was a talented musician and guitar player.
He enjoyed fishing, traveling and spending time with
his family.
He is survived by his wife, Judy; daughters, DeAnn
(Marty) Kristo and Cheryl Jackson.
No services will be held. A private burial will be in
Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
SATURDAY,
Roma Lee Alder
JULY 30 TH
December 7, 1935 - July 25, 2022
Roma Lee Alder, former longtime
Hermiston, Oregon, resident of Kennewick,
Washington, was born on Dec. 7, 1935, in
Beaver, Utah, to parents, Albert and Myrtle
Mary Woolsey Powell. She
passed away peacefully on
July 25, 2022, in Richland,
Washington, at the age of 86
years.
Her two older brothers,
Albert and Gene, adored
her. She was sickly much of
her early life as well as her
later life. Their family later
adopted a little girl named
Barbara, so she finally had
a sister.
Roma was very active
in high school. She took
Hawaiian guitar lessons and voice lessons.
She performed in operettas and music
festivals and preferred singing in small
groups and trios. She loved to dance and
enjoyed dance festivals as well as youth
church dances.
Roma and Allan Alder have been
friends ever since they were young. They
would play together while their mothers
were at ward choir practice. They started
officially dating in high school and did so
until he left on his mission.
It might be considered scandalous today,
but Roma and Allan’s sister and mother
went and picked him up from his mission.
Roma and Allan were soon married on Oct.
30, 1957, in the Idaho Falls Temple. They
have seven children: Robert (Debbie),
Michael (Sharon), David, Diana (Jed),
Karen (Aaron), Eric (Nova) and Steven
(Cher). They have 36 grandchildren, 48
great-grandchildren and one great-great-
grandchild.
Roma loved her service in the church.
She was a great teacher and enjoyed
teaching children and youth. Her most
rewarding ward calling was when she
taught early morning seminary. She loved
it when past seminary students called
or visited. Roma was always a faithful
visiting teacher. She knew
how to minister to others.
Roma and Allan served
a mission together in the
Family History Salt Lake
City Mission for 15 months
and soon thereafter were
called as ordinance workers
in the Portland Temple. In
2001, they were called to be
president and matron of the
newly constructed Columbia
River Washington Temple
by President Gordon B.
Hinckley where they served
for three years, which was one of the
highlights of their lives.
Roma enjoyed life. She loved being
around her children and grandchildren.
She made birthdays and holidays fun and
memorable. She even made getting new
shoes special and would sing to us and
our children the “Brand New Shoes” song
every time. She had a great sense of humor
and we spent lots of time laughing and
playing together. She loved playing games,
telling stories and found lots of ways to
share her testimony of the gospel of Jesus
Christ.
A funeral service will be held on
Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 2 p.m. at The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, 1035 E. Ninth St., Hermiston,
Oregon, with viewing from 1-1:45 p.m. at
the Relief Society room.
Burial will follow at the Hermiston
Cemetery, Hermiston, Oregon.
Please share memories of Roma with her
family at www.burnsmortuaryhermiston.
com. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston,
Oregon, is in care of arrangements.
ALL DAY FESTIVITIES AT
The Irrigon
Marina Park
KIDS ACTIVITIES
FOOD FOOD FOOD
Lots of games (with prizes).
The National Guard
Climbing Wall & More.
Sheriff Boat Rides
Face Painting
Lip Sync Contest
Teen Dance and light show in the grass
Hamburgers, Hot Dogs & French Fries
9-Midnight
Hosted by Community Women
Fresh Cut Watermelon & Cantaloupe
from Sponsor Bellinger Farms
Pies & Ice Cream
hosted by Family Worship Center
BBQ Chicken, Corn, Baked
Potatoes and Coleslaw
sponsored by NW Metal Fabricators and Hosted by
Irrigon High Cheerleaders
BREAKFAST 6:30-9:30 hosted by: Columbia View Church
Coffee, Juice, Pancakes, Biscuts & Gravy, Ham,
Sausage, and Eggs
DOWNTOWN pARADE
@ 10AM
BEER GARDEN
4-8:30PM
MAIN-STAGE
ENTERTAINMENT
Gems & Gents Cheerleading
Irrigon High Cheerleaders
Community Lip Sync Contest
Zach Grooms | Olivia Harms
The Sky Dogs
Street Dance with
Desert Sounds Entertainment
ANNUAL
CAR sHOW
at the PARK
Sponsors: Umatilla Electric, Tillamook & Calbee American
Entertainment Sponsored by: Morrow County Unified
Recreation Disctrict & Huwe’s Rentals
Melon Sponsor: