WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018 COMMENTARY HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A9 Resolving to be more like my dog hat’s the point of though Lucifer and the Gen- making a New eral’s lives are pretty rou- Year’s resolution? tine, they enjoy the sights, Most studies indi- smells and sounds of daily cate the majority of peo- walks. In addition, the Gen- ple that actually make reso- eral’s exuberant yelp when lutions don’t achieve them. he realizes he gets to hang For those who do decide to out with me at work is abso- make New Year’s resolu- lutely priceless. tions, it’s suggested to only While I can’t promise tackle one. And according that I’ll howl with excite- to a recent poll from ment, I’ll look for Marist College in ways to spice up New York, the most routine activities. popular is “being a Although I won’t feel better person.” compelled to mark Studies show that everything along the dog owners can take way, I will attempt a lesson from their to stop and smell the canine kids in regards Tammy fl owers, which is Malgesini to becoming better going to be extremely INSIDE MY SHOES people. So, in 2018 exciting this spring. I will take cues from As one of my Christ- the General, my somewhat mas gifts, John revealed that quirky 5-year-old German he purchased and planted shepherd, and Lucifer, my more than two dozen tulip husband’s majestic 8-year- bulbs. old German shepherd. In the •SIMPLE THINGS: coming year, I will follow Whether it’s riding shotgun their lead by incorporating to the store or getting left- the following into my life: overs from a dinner out, our •RELAX: According dogs are thrilled by little to the American Kennel things. While I thoroughly Club, dogs typically sleep look forward to taking trips about 50 percent of the and going out for special time. While I’m not going occasions, I will take steps to sleep half the year away, to initiate small things that I will further embrace the touch the lives of others — value of naps. Also, relaxing meeting my friends for cof- will include slowing down fee, making a favorite meal and taking time for myself for my husband and regu- — whether that’s reading, larly sending cards or letters taking a walk or engaging in to my parents. other hobbies. •BOUNDARIES: John •EXCITEMENT: Even and I have found that our dogs respond better with structure. It reduces act- ing out and behavioral issues. For me, it’s import- ant to maintain boundaries regarding relationships and workloads. When I’m feeling stress or have too much on my plate, I don’t dig holes in the yard or tear up a news- paper. However, rather than trying to be superwoman while my blood pressure skyrockets, it will be much healthier for me to talk about what’s happening and sometimes say no. •UNCONDITIONAL LOVE: Regardless if I’m happy or sad, my dogs are there for me. They don’t care if I’m having a bad hair day, if I haven’t show- ered or if I’ve put on fi ve pounds. They love me. Period. While I won’t be wag- ging my tail or licking oth- er’s faces, I can certainly take a big lesson from Lucifer and the General in expressing love, care and concern to those in my pack, including my hus- band, parents and my cho- sen sisters. ——— Tammy Malgesini is the community editor. Her col- umn, Inside my Shoes, includes general musings about life. Contact her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian. com or 541-564-4539. resources to many worthy causes throughout the year. • • • Dr. Doug Flaiz recently retired after 42 years of ser- vice to the community at Family Health Associates and with privileges at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston. Flaiz attended Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California and did his residency at Florida Hospital in Orlando. A fam- ily practice physician, Flaiz delivered about 1,500 babies in the area during the fi rst three decades of his prac- tice, which he discontinued due to the increasing costs of medical insurance to con- tinue offering obstetrics. A retirement gathering held last month hinted that Flaiz has plans to spend more time fi shing and hunt- ing in his retirement. • • • Joseph Franell, CEO of the Hermiston-based East- ern Oregon Telecom, was re-appointed to the Ore- gon Broadband Advisory Council by Governor Kate Brown. Franell has been a member of the statewide council, formed by the leg- islature in 2009, since its beginning, and has served as chair for all but the fi rst year. Franell said in a writ- ten statement that it was an honor to serve, calling the council “one of the most effective organizations of its kind in the U.S. (that) continues to have a signifi - cant positive impact on the adoption and utilization of Broadband in Oregon.” • • • For a chance to remember loved ones and honor some- one special, visit Vance John Memorial Hospice’s annual Candlelight Memo- rial Service. The free event, in its 22nd year, is Tuesday, Jan. 9 from 6-9 p.m. at the Hermiston Christian Cen- ter, 1825 W Highland Ave. It will include recognition of veterans and other losses, time for refl ection and a time of fellowship following the service. For more informa- tion, call 541-667-3543. W BTW Continued from Page A1 and more about the Promise campaign, visit www.prom- iseoregon.org. • • • The 2017 Christmas Spirit Awards from the Good Shepherd Commu- nity Health Foundation were recently presented to Kriss Dammeyer and John & Marge Walchli. Recognizing those who exemplify the spirit of Christmas throughout the year, this is the 22nd year the foundation has pre- sented the awards. Dam- meyer is the founder of Made to Thrive. The non- profi t organization seeks to stop the cycle of poverty, child abuse and neglect by offering an opportunity for those at risk to participate in healthy community activ- ities. The Walchlis were rec- ognized for their ongoing generosity to the commu- nity. The longtime farmers lend their time, talents and STAFF PHOTO BY JADE MCDOWELL. City of Hermiston staff, elected offi cials and their families put together 420 food boxes assembly-line style during their annual holiday party at the Hermiston Conference Center in December. The boxes were distributed to needy families via the Hermiston Christmas Express program, along with toys for families with young children. Police Chief Jason Edmiston said Christmas Express purchased $4,000 in turkeys and $6,200 of other food, combined with produce donated from local farms and 13,925 food items collected by local students. HOW BEST TO SAY THANK YOU? The Hermiston Police the same amount last year. Department and city of We had an anonymous $500 Hermiston just concluded cash donation this year and the 48th annual Christmas clubs such as the Uma- Express program. Each year tilla Lodge of Perfection for since I took over in 2004 we Scottish Rite, The Funrun- have tried to fi ne-tune and ner ATV Club, and both the make the operation as effi - Big River Men’s and Ladies cient and effective Golf Clubs donated. as possible with the I’m going to opt not incredible amount to name the individ- of donations that ual donors, but you come from the know who you are community. I have and you know if it ensured a thank wasn’t for each of Police Chief you note is sent to you, our program everyone we know Jason would eventually Edmiston to have donated wither away. money, equipment Each year when or services. I give presentations and talk This year I was about our program, I always approached by a commu- say despite being born and nity member who asked if I raised here, it wasn’t until I ever thought about recogniz- started working this program ing those people who donate that I realized how generous to the program. I was a bit our area farmers are. taken back because I do try Make no mistake, this to recognize the people who program would not be suc- make the machine run. cessful if it weren’t for peo- But the question itself is ple like John and Skip Wal- still a good one. Is there a chli with donations of food best way to recognize and and equipment from both thank people for the good their farms, Troy Betz and they do to make Hermis- Greg Juul of Bud Rich ton a welcoming and diverse Potato, and Alan Cleaver of community? To be quite Columbia Basin Onion. honest, my greatest fear in We have other part- attempting something like ners that donate services that is two-fold: one, some and equipment as well. people may not want to be This includes the Walmart recognized and two, I may Distribution Center, Sani- forget someone. tary Disposal, Living Faith Cash donations for the Church, Hammell Trans- 2017 program came in at port and of course perhaps a staggering $15,651. This our biggest partner, Dave included a $9,000 donation Hughes and his staff at the from the Hermiston Rotary Agape House. International Club (the larg- Presents fl ood the lobby est monetary contributor of the police department and to the program each year) the overwhelming major- and other donations rang- ity of those come from peo- ing from $10 to $3,500. The ple unknown to us, at least gentleman who donated by name. Altrusa Interna- $3,500 this year, donated tional consistently donates an incredible amount of toys and the KOHU staff (to include sports announcer Erick Olson) do a great job of creating competition that goes for a good cause — a child having the oppor- tunity to open a present Christmas morning. The ten- ants at Desert Sage Manor spend all year making doz- ens and dozens of beautiful quilts that are given away during our program. We have received hygiene prod- ucts from local dentists as we know there is a direct correlation between hygiene and self-esteem, especially with our youth. Lastly, I would like to thank Ric Sherman, not only for his 30 years of service as an educator in Hermiston, but the non-stop work he puts into this program each year assisting and remind- ing me about various things. Ric is instrumental in ener- gizing the second group I’d like to thank, that being the students and staff of the Hermiston School District. The amount of food (nearly 14,000 cans) and presents collected during the canned food drives ensures we are able to push out food boxes weighing nearly 100 pounds once all the produce and tur- keys are added. I pray I have not inad- vertently forgotten some- one, but this is my humble attempt to remind people that we here at the Hermis- ton Police Department know the silent majority is out there doing good things for all the right reasons and we appreciate it. Jason Edmiston is the chief of the Hermiston Police Department. EASTERN OREGON marketplace Place classified ads online at www.eastoregonmarketplace.com or call 1-800-962-2819 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, leave a voicemail and we’ll confirm your ad the next business day. Email us at classifieds@ east oregonian.com or fax: 541-278-2680 East Oregonian Deadline is 3 p.m. the day before publication 211 S.E. Byers Ave. 333 E. Main St. We accept: Pendleton, OR 97801 Hermiston, OR 97838 See www.eastoregonmarketplace.com for classified ads from all over Eastern Oregon EAST OREGONIAN • HERMISTON HERALD • BLUE MOUNTAIN EAGLE • WALLOWA COUNTY CHIEFTAIN 104 Special Notices PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD ON THE FIRST DAY OF PUBLICATION. While we are happy to make any necessary corrections, we can not be responsible for errors appearing for mul- tiple days. Thank you! CLASSIFIED LINE AD DEADLINES East Oregonian 3pm the day prior to publication Hermiston Herald 10am Tuesday 1-800-962-2819 classifieds@eastoregonian.com 110 Announcements 184 Personals Contact Dayle or Grace at classifieds@eastoregonian.com 1-800-962-2819 to place your classified ad! 502 Real Estate Attention Sellers, Winter can be a great time to sell as you avoid the Spring Time surplus of com- petition. Call Matt Vogler for a free Market Analysis. John J. Howard & Assoc. (541) 377-9470 Turn Here Realty & Travel for Reliable Representation and Fascilitation of your home sale or Search. ACCESS all infor- mation and properties with one agent of your choice. Our prop- erties are all multiple listed for your convenience. Call 541-377-6855 today for your new home SOLD SOLD SOLD Congratulations to all the new home owners and Happy Travel- ers-- Thank you to everyone for working with me. Best wishes for a Happy New Year! 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