A4 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
MLK Day event celebrates visions of civil rights activist
By TAMMY MALGESINI
Community Editor
An event to honor the
life and dreams of Martin
Luther King Jr. is planned
in Hermiston.
Coordinated by the
Black International Aware-
ness Club, the event in-
cludes a community walk,
special speakers and music.
John Carbage, president
of the Hermiston group,
said it’s important to bring
awareness to King’s ac-
complishments and the
work that he began years
ago. In addition, Virgin-
ia Rome-Garcia said in
today’s political climate,
it’s crucial now, more than
ever, for people to unite to-
gether in solidarity.
“It’s a very important
time that we need to build
a positive community,” said
Rome-Garcia, who serves
on the club’s board of di-
rectors. “We need to make
a difference in our commu-
nity by being involved.”
The event is Monday,
Jan. 16, from noon to 2
p.m. People are invited
to gather at 11:45 a.m. in
front of the First United
Methodist Church, 191 E.
Gladys Ave., Hermiston.
From there, people will em-
bark on a short Peace Walk,
FILE PHOTO
Rose Johnsongale of Umatilla leads a group in singing “Lift
Every Voice and Sing” during the 2016 Martin Luther King Jr.
Day celebration in Hermiston. This year’s event is Monday,
Jan. 16, near Hermiston City Hall.
which ends at Hermiston
City Hall, 180 N.E. Second
St.
Rome-Garcia will intro-
duce Mayor Dave Drotzmann
before the group returns to the
Methodist church.
The ceremony begins at
12:30 p.m. in the church’s
sanctuary. It will include
opening remarks by Jody
Frost and an introduction
of the keynote speaker by
Jesus Rome.
Carbage and Rome-Gar-
cia are excited about hav-
ing Jordan Chaney making
the presentation. An au-
thor/poet and community
activist, he resides in the
Tri-Cities. In addition to
sharing his personal expe-
riences while growing up,
Rome-Garcia said Chaney
encourages a positive and
nurturing environment.
“With his poems, he
brings people together,” she
said. “He’s a very phenom-
enal speaker.”
The ceremony also in-
cludes prayers by Rev. Rob-
ert Edie of Greater Faith
Baptist Church and Rev.
Albert Wilkins of Morning
Star Missionary Baptist
Church, both in Pasco.
In addition, an open mic
will provide an opportunity
for people in attendance to
briefl y share their thoughts.
Carbage will conclude with
closing remarks. Refresh-
ments will be served in the
church’s fellowship hall.
Upwards of 100 people
usually attend the annual
event, which is in its 17th
year in Hermiston. It cele-
brates King’s work in civil
rights for all minorities.
King, who received the
Nobel Peace Prize in 1964,
was a pastor, author and
civil rights advocate. In
1963, King delivered his
famous “l Have a Dream”
speech with more than
250,000 people present in
Washington, D.C.
He was fatally shot while
on the balcony of a motel
April 4, 1968, in Memphis,
Tennessee.
The Black International
Awareness Club meets the
second Saturday of each
month at 2 p.m. at Star-
bucks, 1235 N. First St.,
Hermiston. People of all
races and cultures are invit-
ed to attend.
For more informa-
tion about the event or
club meetings, call Car-
bage at 541-701-7073 or
Rome-Garcia at 541-720-
6895.
Course trains 15 emergency responders
Hermiston Herald
More than a dozen vol-
unteers recently completed
a 50-hour Emergency Med-
ical Responder course pre-
sented by Umatilla County
Fire District No. 1 in con-
junction with the Echo Fire
Department.
The 15 participants were
from UCFD 1, the Echo
Fire Department and the
Umatilla Fire District. The
students participated in
training two evenings per
week and several Saturdays,
said J.W. Roberts, UCFD
1 EMS coordinator. The
training allows students to
become licensed emergen-
cy medical responders by
the state of Oregon.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY J.W. ROBERTS
Emergency Medical Responder students take a test during
a course presented by Umatilla County Fire District No. 1 in
conjunction with the Echo Fire Department.
“Most people don’t re-
alize the time commitment
and dedication that fi rst re-
sponders go through in or-
der to provide vital services
Petsense opens Jan. 19
Hermiston Herald
Petsense is opening its
doors in Hermiston on Thurs-
day, Jan. 19.
The pet supply store will
hold a grand opening celebra-
tion, including raffl e drawing,
on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 9 a.m.
Petsense is a national re-
tailer that carries a wide vari-
ety of supplies for household
pets including dogs, cats,
fi sh, reptiles and birds. It also
provides grooming services,
training services and vet clin-
ics.
The Hermiston location at
1930 N. First St. (constructed
next to Big 5) is 5,400 square
feet. The store, managed by
Nikki Johnson, plans to em-
ploy about eight associates,
including groomers. Appli-
cations for sales associates,
groomers and trainers can
be fi lled out online at pet-
sensellc.com.
West Coast market man-
ager Nikki Cordray said in
an email that Petsense is a
“place for pet lovers” that
works to promote responsi-
ble pet ownership through
community involvement and
education.
“Our mission is to oper-
ate stores that are exciting
and fun, staffed with friend-
ly, knowledgeable associates
passionate about making the
pet lover’s shopping a world
class experience,” she said.
to the community,” said
lead instructor Rob Tooley.
An EMR, which is one step
below an EMT, is able to
provide basic treatment and
care to patients at emergen-
cy scenes and provide ad-
ditional manpower to help
ambulance crews when
they arrive on the scene.
“Placing EMTs and
paramedics in all parts of
our rural county is not pos-
sible,” Roberts said. “The
EMR course has provided
critical lifesaving training
to our fi rst responders.”
The EMR course was
funded by the Apple a Day
Grant Program under the
Oregon Offi ce of Rural
Health. The money cov-
ered the cost of most of
the books and instructors.
The course, Roberts said,
wouldn’t have been possi-
ble without the grant.
Applications being accepted
for Oregon Century Program
Hermiston Herald
The Oregon Century
Farm & Ranch Program is
now accepting applications
for 2017 to honor farms and
ranches in continuous fam-
ily operation for 100 years.
To date, 1,175 families
have formally received the
century farm or ranch des-
ignation, while 33 others
have received the sesqui-
centennial award, mark-
ing 150 years. There are
74 century or sesquicen-
tennial farms and ranches
in Umatilla County, and
27 in Morrow County.
Century
farms
or
ranches must be in con-
tinuous family operation
to qualify for the program
and generate a at least
$1,000 gross annual in-
come for at least three out
of the past fi ve years pri-
or to application. Family
members must also live
on or actively manage the
land to this day.
A committee reviews
documentation
provid-
ed with each applica-
tion, which may include
photos, original deeds or
other historic records. All
documents are archived
for public access, provid-
ing a glimpse of Oregon’s
agricultural history and
settlement patterns.
Successful applicants
will receive a personal-
ized certifi cate with ac-
knowledgment from the
governor and Oregon De-
partment of Agriculture,
as well as a metal roadside
Printed on
recycled
newsprint
VOLUME 111 ● NUMBER 2
Gary L. West | Editor • gwest@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4532
Tammy Malgesini | Community Editor • tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4539
Jayati Ramakrishnan | Reporter • jramakrishnan@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4534
Jade McDowell | Reporter • jmcdowell@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4536
Jeanne Jewett | Multi-Media consultant • jjewett@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4531
Shannon Paxton | Offi ce coordinator • spaxton@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4530
Audra Workman | Multi-Media consultant • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4538
To contact the Hermiston Herald for news,
advertising or subscription information:
• call 541-567-6457
• e-mail info@hermistonherald.com
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The Hermiston Herald (USPS 242220, ISSN
8750-4782) is published weekly at Hermiston
Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR
97838, (541) 567-6457.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017
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TAI CHI - MOVING FOR
BETTER BALANCE
FREE class to work on balance, strengthen muscles,
IN BRIEF
Weather forces
meeting changes
Several area organi-
zations are canceling or
rescheduling upcoming
meetings due to inclement
weather. Among the can-
cellations are:
• The Hermiston School
board canceled its Monday
meeting. They will recog-
nize educators of the year
during its work session
Monday, Jan. 23, at 5:30
p.m. at the district offi ce,
305 S.W. 11th St. For more
information, contact Maria
Duron at 541-667-6036 or
maria.duron@hermiston.
k12.or.us.
• The Jan. 11 meet-
ing of Safe Communities
meeting is rescheduled for
Wednesday, Feb. 8.
The group focuses on
many areas, including
domestic violence, child
abuse, teen violence, bully-
ing, homelessness and safe-
ty regarding guns, fi re, com-
puter use, traffi c and water.
It meets the second Wednes-
day of each month at noon
at Good Shepherd Medical
Center in Hermiston.
For more information,
contact Juli Gregory at
541-667-3506 or jgrego-
ry@gshealth.org.
• The SAIF Corporation
has postponed a pair of ag-
riculture safety seminars
scheduled for Jan. 10-11 in
Hermiston. The free sem-
inars are rescheduled for
March 6 (in English) and
March 7 (in Spanish) at
the Hermiston Conference
Center. Anyone working in
the agricultural industry or
interested in ag safety and
health is welcome to attend.
For more information
or to register, call 800-
285-8525 or visit www.
SAIF.com/agseminar.
Trivia event focuses
on Harry Potter
There’s still time to
brush up on Harry Potter
facts for a special teen
event at the Hermiston
Public Library.
All youths in grades
6-12 are invited to the
Teen Trivia Get Together,
which is Tuesday, Jan. 17
from 4-5 p.m. at 235 E.
Gladys Ave. Refreshments
will be served. There is no
admission fee.
For more information,
call 541-567-2882 or visit
www.hermistonlibrary.us.
MEDICAL
DIRECTORY
MENTAL HEALTH
LET US BE THE ONE THAT HELPS!
• Adult, Child and Family Therapy
• Psychiatric Evaluation and Treatment
• Mental Health and Crisis Services
• Confidential and Professional Care
LIFEWAYS PENDLETON Crisis Phone: LIFEWAYS HERMISTON
331 SE 2nd St.,
595 NW 11th St.,
866-343-4473
Pendleton, OR 97801
Hermiston, OR 97838
Office: 541-276-6207 WWW . LIFEWAYS . ORG Office: 541-567-2536
URGENT AND FAMILY CARE
541-567-2995
GIFFORD MEDICAL
Columbia
and Family Care
Professional • Urgent
Weekdays 8am-6pm
Plaza
Saturdays 9am-3pm
1050 W. Elm Ave. Ste 110
Hermiston, OR 97838
Walk-Ins Welcome
Joseph
Joseph
R. Gifford,
Gifford, M.D.
M.D.
Milton J. Johnson, Jr., M.D.
David
P. Martinez,
M.D.
Angie
L. Hays, FNP
Angie
Hayes, FNP
Candace L. Degenstein,
FNP
Michele
Davies,
FNP
Milton J. Johnson, Jr., M.D.
• In-House X-Rays
• Adjacent Lab
FAMILY DENTISTRY
Family Dentistry
~ N ew Patients Welcome~
541-567-8161
995 W. Orchard Ave., Hermiston
Ryan M. Wieseler, D.D.S .
PEDIATRIC DENTISTY
Call Today!
541-289-5433
1060 W. Elm, Suite #115,
Hermiston, OR
(across from Good Shepherd Medical Center)
www.apd4kidz.com
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm
VISION CARE
Eye Health & Vision Care
Robert D. Rolen , O.D., LLC
Optometric Physician
115 W. Hermiston Ave. Suite 130
541-567-1837
improve posture and core strength. Great for all ages!
Monday & Wednesday Starting January 16th
Basic/Beginners class: 9-10am
Advanced Class: 10-11am
GSMC Wellness Center (behind the hospital)
URGENT AND FAMILY CARE
HERMISTON FAMILY MEDICINE &
Call 541-567-2185 or 541-667-3509 to register
URGENT CARE
BODY & BALANCE
Sports & Dot Physicals • Minor Injuries • Family Care • Minor Surgeries
We accept Medicare & some Advantage Medicare plans
FREE class using the Bal-A-Vis-X approach to
safely improve balance, movement, and strengthen
body control. Great for all ages and fitness levels!
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
HOURS: Mon.-Sat.
7:30am-7:00pm
541-567-1137
236 E. Newport, Hermiston
(across from U.S. Bank)
Monday & Wednesday Starting Jan. 4th
11:00 - 12:00pm
Call 541-567-2185 or 541-667-3509 to register
COUNSELING
BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE
BANDS CLASSES:
Strengthen & improve flexibility and overall health
& balance.
Tuesday & Thursdays Starting January 3rd
Beginners class: 8:15-8:45am
Intermediate Class: 9-9:30am
GSMC Wellness Center (behind the hospital)
Call Kathy Thomas, 541-667-3400 x3050
Information or to register
call (541) 667-3509
or email
healthinfo@gshealth.org
www.gshealth.org
To advertise in the
Medical Directory, please
call Jeanne at 541-564-4531
or Audra at 541-564-4538