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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2017)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017 HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A7 COMMUNITY Tassie retires (sort of) after 37 years on call By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN Staff Writer For Kevin Tassie, fighting fires was a family thing. “When I was three or four years old, my dad was a vol- unteer firefighter,” said the Umatilla County native, who retired on Jan. 30 after 37 years as an on-call firefighter with Hermiston’s fire district. “I remember going to the sta- tion with my dad — he was one of the first career fire- fighters for the city of Herm- iston.” Tassie, now 55, followed in his footsteps: in 1979, he joined the department as a volunteer, and has been at fire stations within Umatilla County ever since. “I actually got to go into my first structure fire with my dad,” Tassie said. “That was pretty fascinating.” Though he’s retiring from fighting fires, Tassie plans to stay on part-time, driving the water tender and the ambu- lance when he can. “Thirty-seven years is hard to leave,” he said. “I’ll miss the camaraderie the most. Getting up at 2 a.m. — I don’t miss that.” Scott Stanton, Umatilla County Fire District 1 chief, said Tassie’s presence will be missed at the department. Though Tassie spent the last few decades balancing a full-time job — he works at Two Rivers Correctional Institution, Umatilla — and working on-call for the fire department, he admits he’s seen a drop in the number of volunteers for the department. He thinks it comes down to time commitments. “Before, when I started in 1979, it was just basic train- ing you had to go through to fight fires and respond to emergency scenes,” he said. “As the years passed, they started to require just about the same (amount of training) for volunteers and paid staff.” The job can take an emo- tional toll, too, Tassie said, something he thinks may keep people away. “It’s not for everyone,” he said. “Motor vehicle ac- cidents, finding a body in a burning building — you have to handle all that.” But Tassie said he’s found it to be rewarding. “It’s an adrenaline rush,” he said. “You can’t really ex- plain it, you’ve got to experi- ence it.” tinted pink and special pink-themed jerseys will be auctioned off. The Pink Ice Night match-up is Friday, Feb. 24 at 7:05 p.m. at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. Tick- ets are $17 for adults, $11 for teens and $9 for youths ages 3-9. To order tickets, visit https://secure.goemer- chant.com/secure/custom- payment/tricityamerican- shockey/4340/default.aspx. Things will heat up as the Portland Trail Blazers take the hardwood against the Phoenix Suns during Hermiston Parks & Rec Night at the Moda Center. The special event is Sat- urday, April 1 at 7 p.m. in Portland. Ticket prices are $36, $72 or $85. In addition, there’s a $5 handling fee. To get the reduced-price, tick- ets must be ordered by Fri- day, March 3. Visit www. rosequarter.com/Hermiston and click on “find tickets” to select seats. Be sure to enter the promo code (HERMISTON) to access the group pricing. Also, as part of the spe- cial Hermiston event, 20 kids will have a chance to take the floor for an hour in the afternoon to exchange high-fives with their favor- ite players. For more information, call the parks department at 541-667-5018 or stop by the office at 180 N.E. Sec- ond St., Hermiston. Those interested in the opening scramble need to register by Thursday, March 9 by contacting the golf course at 541-922- 3006, megan@golfbigriver. com or stop by the club- house at 709 Willamette Ave., Umatilla. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SCOTT STANTON Kevin Tassie, right, puts out a fire. Tassie retired Jan. 30 after 37 years as a volunteer and on-call member with Hermiston’s fire district. IN BRIEF Library party features Valentine’s fun Cookie decorating, a craft table, games, refreshments and a story time are all includ- ed is a free Children’s Valen- tine Party at the Hermiston Public Library. The free event is Friday from 4:30-6 p.m. at 235 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. Par- ents are encouraged to bring their kids for a fun evening of free activities. For more information, call 541-567-2882 or visit www.hermistonlibrary.us. Tooth Wisdom provides oral health info Whether people have den- tures or their own teeth, a free class about oral health care is being offered by Good Shep- herd Medical Center. Tooth Wisdom is available Tuesday, Feb. 21 or Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 10-11 a.m. in the hospital’s medical plaza, 620 N.W. 11th St., Hermiston. Participants are invited to bring a lunch or make their own arrangements to purchase one at the hospital cafeteria prior to the meeting. The ses- sion will include a chance for people to ask questions and everyone will receive a free goody bag. For more information, call Helena Wolfe at 541-561- 5443. Folklife network seeks traditional artists To help ensure tribal, cul- tural, religions and occupa- tional traditions are passed on, traditional artists are be- ing sought to teach their art form to others. The Oregon Folklife Network is looking for peo- ple accomplished in tradi- tional folk arts, including American Indian basket weaving and storytelling, old-time fiddling, working cowboys, saddle makers, Norwegian cooking and baking, African-American gospel singing, southeast Asian dancing and more. The Traditional Arts Ap- prenticeship Program offers a $3,000 stipend to teach their art form to apprentic- es. Oregonians engaged in living cultural traditions are encouraged to apply. The program does not fund his- toric re-enactments, do-it- yourself crafts or those who practice traditions that are not part of their own cultur- al heritage. Applications are due Wednesday, March 1. For eligibility information, contact Brad McMullen at ofn@uoregon.edu, 541- 346-3820 or visit http://ofn. uoregon.edu. Recreation department teams up with Americans, Blazers Hermiston Parks & Rec- reation is teaming up with a pair of regional sports teams to offer families an opportunity to attend games at discount prices. Get ready for some fast action on pink ice as the Tri-City Americans take on the Seattle Thunderbirds during an ice hockey game that will include a benefit to help the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation. During the game, the ice will be Ladies league gets ready to hit the links Shopping center announces youth scholarships The opening golf scram- ble for the Big River Ladies Golf Club is open to all women interested in joining the club. The event is Saturday, March 11 at 9 a.m. at Big River Golf Course in Uma- tilla. A brief informational meeting will provide de- tails about the club, dues and season. The shotgun start is at 10 a.m. The cost is $15, plus green fees and cart rental, if desired. The Big River Ladies golf club plays each Tues- day from April through Sep- tember, with both morning and evening groups. Ladies of all skill levels are invited to play 9 or 18 holes. High school seniors who live in the service area of a Simon mall property are eligible to apply for the Simon Youth Community Scholarship Program. Due to the proximity of the Columbia Center Mall in Kennewick, students in Umatilla County can submit an application for $1,500. Students must be United States citizens, demonstrate academic promise, par- ticipate in extracurricular activities, community in- volvement and have finan- cial needs. In addition, they must plan on enrolling in a college, vocational of tech- nical school program in the fall of 2017. Along with the appli- cation, students need to submit responses to essay questions. For more infor- mation, including an online form, visit syf.org/scholar- ships. The deadline is Wednes- day, March 1. For ques- tions, contact Erin Brown, public relations for Co- lumbia Center, at 206-971- 0707 or erin.brown@cura- torpr.com. Hermiston Kiwanis offer scholarships The Hermiston Noon Kiwanis Club is accepting applications for its Perry Johnson and Russell Dor- ran post-secondary edu- cation scholarships. Current seniors at Hermiston High School or graduates of Hermiston who are attending college in academic programs are eligible to apply for the scholarship awards. Applications are available at the HHS counseling office or the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce, 415 S. High- way 395. Important fac- tors in the evaluation of applicants includes aca- demic record, community service, leadership quali- ties and financial need. The scholarships are given in memory of a pair of past Kiwanis members. Johnson also was a Bap- tist minister, who cham- pioned youth services and supported education. Dor- ran was a charter member of the club, as well as the Hermiston Elks Lodge, Hermiston Development Corporation and Blue Mountain Community College board, and served on many other area boards and committees. He was recognized at the cham- ber awards banquet in 1963 and again in 1990. The applications must be submitted by Friday, March 31. Interviews with potential scholarship recipients will be sched- uled. For more information, contact George Clough at 541-567-6024 or Hermis- ton Noon Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 375, Hermiston, OR 97838.
