Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 31, 2018)
A4 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018 COMMUNITY IN BRIEF Deadline looms for young citizen nominations STAFF PHOTO BY TAMMY MALGESINI Students in Kendra Scott’s ABLE Classroom at Rocky Heights Elementary School create nautical-themed decorations Tuesday for the Hermiston Education Foundation’s Beach & Beef Fundraiser. The event is coming up Saturday at the Hermiston Community Center. Education foundation fundraiser cruises for cash By TAMMY MALGESINI COMMUNITY EDITOR Students in Kendra Scott’s ABLE Classroom were busy with a special art project Tuesday morning at Rocky Heights Elementary School. The kindergarten through third graders were creating nautical-themed decorations for the Hermiston Education Foundation’s annual Beach & Beef Fundraiser. “Wow, it’s beautiful,” one young student said as he held up his drawing for oth- ers to see. The community is invited to “Come Sail Away With Us” as the nonprofit foundation raises money to help enhance the educa- tional experience of students throughout the Hermiston School District. Proceeds are used to award grants to staff for projects or equip- ment that fall outside the district’s budget. Also, a scholarship program started this past spring provided $2,500 scholarships to six graduating seniors. “They are creating oppor- tunities that we wouldn’t be able to do without their support,” said Lori Mills, Sandstone Middle School principal. In its ninth year, the fund- raiser features a cruise ship theme. Be sure to grab a boarding pass for Satur- day’s event at the Herm- iston Community Center, 415 S. Highway 395. The doors open at 5 p.m., offer- ing guests a chance to bid on silent auction items and mingle. The all-you-can-eat crab and steak kabobs din- ner starts at 5:45 p.m. The live auction kicks off at 7 p.m. Also, there will be a no-host bar. Although it’s not required, foundation trea- surer Tori Espinosa said people are invited to have fun and be creative in dress- ing up for the event. Live entertainment will be pro- vided by the high school jazz band. In addition, all hands will be on deck as stu- dent groups assist with serv- ing, acting as auction run- ners and other tasks. Foundation funds student opportunities Since 2003, the education foundation has disbursed $300,000 in grants that help support such activities as field trips, providing items for drama performances and purchasing musical instru- ments, technology equip- ment or other supplies for special projects. Rob Doherty, science teacher and Armand Larive Television advisor at Armand Larive Middle School, has requested numerous grants over the years. In addition to equipment for the ALTV program, he’s received fund- ing for registration fees for the Student Television Net- work Convention in 2016 in Atlanta and 2017 in Anaheim. Attending the confer- ences, Doherty said, includes workshops with industry professionals and competi- tions with top students from across the United States. An honorable mention in the Anchor Team contest during the 2017 event has inspired students, Doherty said. “I have found that the stu- dents who make the com- mitment to work hard and prepare for the convention come back with a higher level of confidence in them- selves,” he said. “When I see what the students bring back home with them, the feeling is exhilarating.” While student fundraising helps, Doherty said it’s insuf- ficient for the trips. Receiv- ing a grant for registration fees, he said, removed the financial burden from fam- ilies — ensuring that each student who had signed up could attend. Foundation board mem- bers and district educators credit community members for reaching into their wal- lets to provide additional support to the schools. Mills said some programs or proj- ects come up after the district budget has been approved. Community support through the education foundation, she said, enables them to take advantage of those situations. “We’re in a community that is very supporting of education,” said Karen Sher- man, HEF grant commit- tee facilitator. “They want to see our kids have as many opportunities as they can.” Jerad Farley, Rocky Heights principal and a member of the HEF board, agreed, saying the commu- nity recognizes that they are good stewards of money received. “We’re not just sitting on a big pile of cash,” he said. “As quickly as it’s coming in, it’s going out to provide opportunities for students in the Hermiston School District.” Tickets for the fundraiser are $35 each. They are avail- able at the district office, 305 S.W. 11th St.; the Hermis- ton Chamber of Commerce, 1055 S. Highway 395, Suite 111; and at www.squareup. com/store/hef. If available, tickets will be sold at the door. ships with his new neighbors is the topic of a book club discussion in Stanfield. The public is invited to discuss “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman during the upcoming Book Talk. The gathering is Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Stanfield Public Library, 180 W. Coe Ave. Treats will be served. A New York Times bestseller, the story unfolds after the neighbors crash into the curmudgeon’s mailbox. It leads to a heart-warming and comical tale of crazy cats, unexpected friendship and the art of backing up a U-Haul. Multiple copies of the book are avail- able at the library. For more information, call 541-449-1254. Altrusa International of Hermiston is seeking nominations for young people that are under the age of 21 who demon- strate commitment, personal responsibil- ity and a positive attitude. The person selected will be recognized as the outstanding young citizen during the upcoming Distinguished Citizens Awards Banquet in Hermiston. The youth, along with two guests, are invited to join the Altrusans for the banquet, which is Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Herm- iston Community Center. Nomination forms are available at the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce (1055 S. Highway 395, Suite 111), local schools and churches. They are due by Monday, Feb. 5. For more information, contact Altrusa at hermistonaltrusa@gmail.com. For more about the awards banquet, visit www.hermistonchamber.com or call 541-567-6151. Town hall features senior planning All area veterans and seniors are invited to attend a Town Hall meeting, which included representatives from Legal Aid Services of Oregon. The free gathering will feature infor- mation about wills, trusts, estate planning, bankruptcy and referrals to attorneys who can assist with specific needs. The meet- ing is Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. at the Irri- gon branch of the Oregon Trail Library District, 490 N.E. Main St. To arrange for transportation, call 1-844-676-5667. For more information or to RSVP, call Morrow County Veterans Services at 541-922-6420. Gathering encourages sharing gospel What if we followed God with perse- verance instead of insecurity? That is the focus of a faith-based gath- ering of women in Texas that is being live-streamed across the globe. Women are gathering in churches, homes and community centers to participate in the event. In Hermiston, New Hope Com- munity Church is coordinating IF: Gath- ering Hermiston to participate in a pro- gram that includes a large gathering and then break-out groups to facilitate deeper conversations. IF: Gathering Hermiston is Friday, Feb. 9 from 5-9 p.m. at New Hope Com- munity Church, 1350 S. Highway 395. It continues Saturday, Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in 30 host locations. A sug- gested donation of $1 for the registration is requested to offset costs for the live- stream. Childcare for kids through age 5 is available by donation. The focus is on Paul’s letters to Timo- thy as he reminded him of the power and responsibility of sharing the gospel. The gathering will also serve as a celebration and encouragement to share about God’s work. To register, visit https://register. ifgathering.com/event/ifhermiston. For more information, contact Heather Beal at if.hermiston@gmail.com or search Facebook. Good Shepherd offers babysitting class Youths interested in learning general childcare techniques are invited to attend Babysitting Basics 101. Participants will learn about children’s developmental stages, basic first aid and infant/child CPR. The next class is offered Saturday, Feb. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Good Shepherd Medical Center, 610 N.W. 11th St., Hermiston. Open to ages 10-15, the fee is $40, which includes lunch and all class materials. Those who plan to attend need to pay and register in advance. The class also will be offered April 7 and May 5. For more information or to register, call 541-667-3509. Special service features singing hymns Food, fun and fellowship are featured during an upcoming special service. The Hymnspiration is Sunday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Victory Baptist Church 193 E. Main St., Hermiston. Everyone is invited to show up and sing old hymns. For more information, contact Chris Finley at johnchris_1@msn.com or 541-571-2516. Book Talk features ‘A Man Called Ove’ A feel-good story about a cranky old man who gets a crash course in relation- Toyota Safety Sense now standard on most Toyota models! Toyota Safety Sense-P includes: • Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection • Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist • Automatic High Beams • Dynamic Radar Cruise Control All New 2018 Camry % 0.9 APR / 72 mos. Every new Toyota comes with NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating 2018 RAV4 Gas or Hybrid 0.9 APR / 72 mos. % PLUS $ 500 TFS AWD Subvention Cash 2018 Tundra CrewMax 1.9 % 4x4 APR / 72 mos. excludes TRD Pro OR $ 1,250 Cash Back Lease a New 2018 Highlander XLE Dave Hughes, left, of Agape House accepts a check from representatives of the Columbia Basin Board of Realtors, including Donn Walls, president Linda Andreason, Shirley Parsons, Heidi Carver, Sherie Britt, Debbie Brandt, Mike Boylan, Stephanie Hughes, Dean Kegler, Tracy Hunter and Maggie Rodriguez. Realtors donate to Agape House During the Christmas party of the Columbia Basin Board of Realtors, people dug deep to help support Agape House. Affiliate members of the Realtors board brought table centerpieces that were auc- tioned, with proceeds of $1,017 donated to Agape House. Representatives from the board — including president Linda Andreason, Mike Boy- lan, Debbie Brandt, Sherie Britt, Heidi Carver, Steph- anie Hughes,Tracy Hunter, Dean Kegler, Shirley Par- sons, Maggie Rodriguez and Donn Walls — presented the checks to Dave Hughes, Agape House executive director, during the board’s Jan. 17 general membership meeting. Agape House provides assistance to people in need in Hermiston and the sur- rounding area. For more information, including ways to support the nonprofit organization, call Hughes at 541-567-8774. $ 299 mo. / 36 mos. AWD All financing on approved credit through TFS. All vehicles subject to prior sale. All prices plus tax and title. $150 dealer doc fee. Offers end 1/31/18. For more details call 1-888-21-TOYOTA. (541) 567-6461 or 800-522-2308 ToyotaOfHermiston.com Mon-Fri 8:30a - 7:00p Sat 8:30a - 7:00p • Sun 10:00a - 5:00p