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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 12, 2018)
A14 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 FROM A1 CENTER Continued from Page A1 through a speech without that,” Drotzmann said. Several speakers at the dedication ceremony dis- cussed the history of the new building, starting five years ago after Umatilla County sold the former fairgrounds (where the old senior center was located) to Hermiston School Dis- trict. The district agreed to let the seniors lease the property until 2016, but the senior center board began looking for a path forward to a new center. Dennis Doherty, who was a county commissioner at the time, told the audience that it soon became clear that the BTW Continued from Page A1 STAFF PHOTO BY E.J. HARRIS A bronze statue of Pendleton Round-Up flag bearer Will Jons has been created to commemorate Jons’ 100th ride-in ceremony at this year’s Pendleton Round-Up. RIDE Continued from Page A1 he said, adding that he’s leaving the door open to coming back. In honor of his 100th Grand Entry, a group of Jons’ friends got together and commissioned a bronze sculpture. The statue, called “Reign of Freedom,” is almost 30 inches tall, and depicts Jons riding a horse and carrying an American flag. The pieces were made by Rip Caswell, a bronze sculptor based in Troutdale. Caswell will make 50 pieces. The initial price is $9,850. Jons’ friend Kyran Miller said the sculptures are highly detailed. “Right down to the types of spurs and shoes he wears, and the horse blanket,” he said. He added that those who have seen the sculp- ture recognize Jons, as well as Toes, the horse he has rid- den for seven years. Miller said Jons was involved with every step of the process in order to get the details right. He added that Jons puts in a lot of work throughout the year to prepare for the event. “He starts in April to get the horse ready for Septem- ber,” Miller said. Jons said that has changed over the years. When he was still work- ing as a cowboy, he said he wasn’t as diligent about pre- paring for the Grand Entry. Now that it’s a hobby, he spends several months get- ting the horse ready. The Round-Up Associ- ation was not involved in the commemoration, but publicity director Randy Thomas said they are proud of all their volunteers. “Will is among those amazing volunteers, and what he’s done is truly worth appreciating,” Thomas said. Jons said he was hum- bled by the sculpture, and has enjoyed his time with the Grand Entry. “It was an opportunity to help out in a very unique way.” Jons said he’ll continue to volunteer. “I’ve been there since I was 13,” he said. The Pendleton Round-Up runs through the rest of the week. For more information see pendletonroundup.com. bump in fuel sales to cus- tomers who followed them to Hermiston. • • • Construction will once again start up at the East- ern Oregon Trade and Event Center after the city council voted to put out a request for proposals for construction of new offices and storage space for the Umatilla County Fair staff and improvements to the RV park there. City manager Byron Smith said the new build- ing is part of an agree- ment the city made with the county when it took over full responsibility of EOTEC. Improvements to the “very limited infra- structure” at the RV park could also lead to year- round use and, by exten- sion, increased revenue for the center. The city will use a bid- design-build process that brings in the contractor at the beginning of the design process instead of after the project is designed. Smith said he believes that method will save money and time in completing the two projects. • • • A quilt hanging in the lobby of the Hermiston DMV this week is meant to remind people of the life-saving power of organ donation. Each square represents someone in Oregon who had their life saved by organ donations. Phil Weitz, a Hermiston resi- best chance the seniors had at raising enough funds for a new building would be to apply for a federal Commu- nity Development Block Grant. The city agreed to be the governmental spon- sor for that, and parks and recreation director Larry Fetter took point on the project. Fetter said the grant came with a huge amount of strings attached, and dealing with the bureau- cracy of that had been his biggest focus the last few years, along with work- ing with multiple groups involved in the project who had strong and often differ- ing opinions. “In the end it was worth it, because our seniors are worth fighting for,” he said. He told the audience that the Harkenrider Center would be the seniors’ home “forever,” not just the five years required by the grant money. Doherty called it the premier senior center of Oregon. Senior center board president Irene Miller thanked the many peo- ple involved in making the project happen, and encouraged all seniors in the community to par- ticipate in the meals and other activities that will be offered there. “It’s our dream that every senior will want to be a part of what’s going on here,” she said. “We need new hands, new ideas and new bodies — lots of new bodies.” dent who received a heart transplant in 2012 after a heart attack at age 56, is featured on the Threads of Life quilt, which is created annually by Donate Life Northwest. He said 20 people die each day waiting for an organ donation. To register as a possible organ donor, visit the DMV, log on to donatelifenw.org or call 1-800-452-1369 to request a paper form. • • • Colby Lerten, 11, of Hermiston made a lot of fans during the Uma- tilla County Fair. A fifth- grader at Rocky Heights Elementary School, he volunteered his time to pass out fans for the East Ore- gonian/Hermiston Herald. The grandson of Jeanne Jewett, longtime multi-me- dia consultant at the EO/ HH, said he pitched in because he wanted to help others. Colby’s parents are Kris and Stacey Lerten of Hermiston. The fans, which included the company’s logo, were part of the swag being given away to fair-goers, said Bonny Tuller, the EO/HH circu- lation manager, who was in charge of coordinating the company’s fair booth. Tuller was especially appreciative of Colby’s efforts, which included spending time outside during triple digit tempera- tures. She said his selfless act of kindness made a big difference to many people at the fair. On behalf of the East Oregonian/Hermis- ton, she thanked Colby for giving of his time. “You have a beautiful heart and it shows,” Tuller said. “We are your biggest fans!” • • • The Aug. 20 Ameri- can Red Cross blood drive held at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Herm- iston met its goal of 36 units. Patti Perkins, a Red Cross volunteer, said the donations came from 43 donors. She expressed appreciation to members of Altrusa International of Hermiston, who provided the canteen. “We appreciate all of our service groups who have furnished our can- teen for many years,” Per- kins said. “Our community should be very proud.” Citing statistics, Perkins said it’s estimated that 38 percent of the population are eligible to give blood, but only 8 percent actually do. She urges people to considering giving — stat- ing that each blood dona- tion can save the lives of up to three people. The next blood drive at Good Shepherd is Mon- day, Sept. 17 from noon to 6 p.m. at 610 N.W. 11th St., Hermiston. While walk-ins are welcome, appointments assist with scheduling. To make an appointment, call 1-800- 448-3543. For more infor- mation, including require- ments for blood donors, visit www.redcross.org. ——— You can submit items for our weekly By The Way column by emailing your tips to editor@hermiston- herald.com. CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT CLASS Valid in Washington OREGON CAPITAL S EPTEMBER 18 TH • 6 PM INSIDER eomediagroup.com Best Western The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. 2255 S Hwy 395, Hermiston $80 multi-State, OR included no-fee. $45 Oregon-only Thank you to the following businesses for supporting Newspapers in Education Required class to get an Oregon or multi-State Required class to get an Oregon or multi-State permit. 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