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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 4, 2018)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2018 HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A7 OPINION Discovering new places, seeking out backroads Weston, Tollgate, Elgin, Wallowa, Lostine, Enterprise, Joseph, Pilot Rock, Ukiah, Long Creek, Whenever I’ve had the Mount Vernon, John Day pleasure of moving to a and La Grande. I still have new town, I’ve Irrigon, Boardman, always tried to be Helix, Heppner, very receptive to Lexington, Baker the good advice City and other offered by folks towns on my who have lived to-visit list. there for awhile Each and know the ways community and customs of usually hangs its Chris Rush their community. proverbial hat on That is certainly PUBLISHER something that true of my first few sets it apart. For weeks here in northeast instance, I now know Oregon. that watermelons play I relocated here in an important part of May after spending three Hermiston’s branding years on the west (and identity: “Where life is wetter) side of the state sweet.” in Coos Bay/North Bend. Prior to that, my 26-year newspaper career has taken my family to small cities like Bentonville, Ark., Aberdeen, Wash., and Bartlesville, Okla. Although dramatically different in climate, culture and economic fortunes, each of the communities in which I have lived and worked shared something in common: They are all fiercely proud of their unique heritage and the niche they occupy in the world. I have discovered Chris Rush, Publisher this to be true here in northeast Oregon as well. In the brief time I have been here, I’ve Of course, everyone had the opportunity to identifies Pendleton with visit numerous towns in a bronc-riding — “Let ‘er the region: Pendleton, Buck” — cowboy image, Hermiston, Stanfield, but as Mayor John Turner Umatilla, Echo, Milton- pointed out to me recently, Freewater, Athena, the actual city seal honors By CHRIS RUSH PUBLISHER, HERMISTON HERALD “But beyond the cities and towns, it is clear to me that the land of Eastern Oregon is a special place.” SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the Editor is a forum for the Hermiston Herald readers to express themselves on local, state, national or world issues. Brevity is good, but longer letters should be kept to 250 words. No personal attacks; challenge the opinion, not the person. The Hermiston Herald reserves the right to edit letters for the city’s woolen products heritage with an image of a sheep. I see that the hamlet of Athena honors its 19th-century Scottish settlers with the annual Caledonian Games “to preserve and perpetuate Scottish social manners and customs.” The event is scheduled for July 13-15 this year, by the way. According to Wikipedia, Wallowa County’s Lostine was named after a short-lived place by the same name in Cherokee County, Kansas. Further down the road, the tourist town of Joseph, originally named Silver Lake or Lake City, eventually adopted its name for the legendary chief of the Nez Perce. In Grant County, John Day takes its name for a member of the famous 1811 Astor Expedition. A renowned hunter and fur trapper, his name is well remembered in the state as it is attached to multiple river branches in Oregon as well as the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. But perhaps my favorite name so far is the quaint hamlet of Echo, “Where History Blooms.” It was named by one of the town’s founding fathers, J. H. Koontz, for his then three-year-old daughter in 1880. Her Victorian image, as an adult, still adorns the city’s signage and marketing materials. But beyond the cities and towns, it is clear to me that the land of Eastern Oregon is a special place. I’ve taken the opportunity on weekends to steer my four-wheel drive down some unpaved and unmarked roads in the beautiful Blue Mountains that surround us. The views from a mountain meadow at 4,000 feet in elevation can be breathtaking. Most recently, I discovered the joy of taking the slow route from Deadman Pass down Cabbage Hill via the narrow and winding Poverty Flat Road (now, there’s some interesting names for you!). If you’re not in a hurry and the weather is clear, I highly recommend it. Once down the mountain and back onto the gently rolling plains of golden wheat fields, the drive through the Umatilla Indian Reservation is enlightening. The Confederated Tribes are doing some extraordinary things with their facilities and services. And I truly believe I’m getting closer every day to the correct pronunciation of “Tamastslikt.” It’s clear that we live in an incredibly rich and diverse area and I can’t wait to continue my education and exploration here. Here’s to a safe and happy Independence Day holiday to everyone! ■ Chris Rush is the new regional publisher of the East Oregonian, Hermiston Herald, Wallowa County Chieftain, and Blue Moun- tain Eagle newspapers. length and for content. Letters must be original and signed by the writer or writers. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Writers should include a telephone number so they can be reached for questions. Only the letter writer’s name and city of residence will be published. LETTERS TO THE EIDTOR Fundraising effort supports Ellwood family On behalf of the Ellwood Family we wanted to say thank you to everyone who donated to the Jasmine Ellwood Fundraiser on June 2, 2018. We had so many generous donation from individuals and businesses including the Hermiston Police Association, Umatilla County Fire District 1, Hermiston School District, Teri Allstott, Tom Spoo and Cooking Spoo Style Catering, Blue Mountain Enforcement Narcotics Team, Filipino Society of Hermiston, Dorothy Cofelt, Premier Designs, Eastern Oregon Correctional Institute, Two Rivers Correctional Institute, Main Stylin’ Nook, Good Shepherd Gift Shop, Hermiston Cinema, Pilar Portrait Studio, Good Shepherd Auxiliary, Alive and Well, Norma Kightlinger, Catholic Daughters of America, Simply Divine, Kandie Jensen, Mike Botti, Hermiston Parks & Recreation, Buttercreek Salon, Carrie Marcum, Scott Miller, Nookies/Hermiston Brewing Company, Eastern Oregon Mobile Slaughter, city of Hermiston, Hermiston Vet Clinic, RDO, Lularoe with the Littles, Defining Details Photography, Angling Oregon, Wraptor Rods, Stahl’s Guide Service LLC, Bookagami by Jamie, Greg and Sherri Smith, Jermey Kile, Farmhouse 73, Hales, Ford Bonney, Balance Chiropractic, Ken and Gale Gorrod, Diane McClure, NW Metal Fabricators, Smitty’s Outpost, Breckyn Mecham, Last Supper Dining, 26 Mile by Whitney Knowles, Seattle Seahawks, Les Schwab Tire Factory, O So Kleen, James Simpson, Banner Bank, Neighbor Dudes, Terry Cummings, Desiree Balli Photography and to our other very generous anonymous donors. We also want to thank everyone who took the time out of the busy graduation weekend to attend. The family is very grateful for the all of the support from the community! SINCERELY, JESSICA MARCUM, QUIDA GENTRY AND CAROLINE JOURDAN Special Olympics appreciates news coverage The Hermiston/Pendleton Special Olympics Local Program #510 would like to express our appreciation for the wonderful news coverage our athletes and coaches have received through the past many years from the Hermiston Herald. On this 50th anniversary of Special Olympics, we appreciate having the light shine on not only our local program but also on Special Olympics International, which grew from one track meet to a worldwide program serving over one million athletes. Our area athletes and coaches have always felt strong support from our local communities. We know that one of the reasons for this support is due to the positive coverage we have received highlighting our program and activities in the Hermiston Herald. The local board, made up totally of volunteers, is incredibly committed to bringing sports training and competition to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Thank you for helping us in this worthy effort. Angela Schneider, program coordinator, and program board members HERMISTON/PENDLETON SPECIAL OLYMPICS LOCAL PROGRAM #510 GoodHealth LIVE WITH JENNIFER POSTE, M.D., ENDOCRINOLOGIST Ecdocricology & You Connecting you with the perfect match. RDO DOES THAT. The perfect match for your lawn is waiting. Get the features, performance and cut you want with our full-line of residential lawn equipment. Stop by today, talk to an expert and SAVE $350* on a Z500 Zero-Turn Residential Mower or SAVE $300* on a Select Series™ Lawn Tractor with the purchase of a MulchControl™ Kit. Join Dr. Jennifer Poste as she shares common conditions she cares for right here in Hermiston. 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