OPINION / LOCAL
Wednesday, august 21, 2019
HeRMIstOnHeRaLd.COM • A7
HHS class of ‘74 enjoys reunion activities
Bulldogs from the Hermiston
High School class of 1974 recently
gathered to celebrate 45 years since
turning the tassel.
The July 26-27 event including
an informal meet-and-greet and a
potluck meal and time of visitation.
According to Bruce Wilcox, who
served on the reunion committee,
Susan Bennett Parks traveled more
than 1,600 miles, which was the fur-
thest distance to attend the event.
Wilcox said Parks and her husband
live in Nash, Oklahoma.
“Fun times were had while recon-
necting with those in attendance,”
Wilcox said.
For more information about
the class of ‘74, join the Face-
book group “HHS Classmates 1974
on Facebook” or call Wilcox at
541-567-9027.
Photo contributed by Lori Harkenrider aasrud
Members of the Hermiston High School class of 1974 held its 45-year reunion July 26-27. Pictured are (back): Sonny Liebe, Bill Reuter, Bruce Hall, Robin Conboy, Paul Burns, Wil Phinney, Mark
Davis, Jeff Newman, Randy Lemmon, Bob Thomas; (middle): Rosie Rodriguez Whiteley, Susan Bennett Parks, Tricia Barnes Murphy, Sharon Louthan Hayes, Glynis Gettman Newman, Ed Snyder,
Lori Harkenrider Aasrud, Cathy Pettey Zinter, Suzie Arnold Stacey, David Trump, Mike Castellaw, Tom Themelis, Bill Reed, Jackie Brangham Myers, Bob Mullay, Steve Carper, Mark Ainslie, Rick
Jewett, Joe Faretta; (kneeling): Bruce Wilcox, David Raines, Guy Brown, Jim Stout, Ronna Seavey, Sharla Grover Dance.
COLUMN
LETTERS
Canine kids complete our pack
A
s National Dog Day
approaches I would be in the
doghouse if I didn’t brag
on our canine kids — both German
shepherds.
Lucifer, my husband’s almost
10-year-old dog, is mostly black; and
the General is my tan/black (with a
hint of ginger) 7-year-old. My pops
trained sentry dogs in the Air Force
— so it’s no surprise that I fell in love
with German shepherds. Many people
equate the breed as working dogs with
the military and police departments.
One time while walking Lucifer
someone asked John if he was a police
dog. “Yes, he’s a German shepherd,”
he replied. The person pressed further,
again asking if he was a police dog.
“He’s not currently employed,”
John responded with a straight face.
John and I got tired of carrying
water for the dogs while hiking, so
we purchased a doggie backpack. We
were a bit surprised the General took
to it right away. I think it made him
feel important to carry his own stuff.
Also, maybe he thought he was being
just like mommy as I often wear a
waist pack with my camera and extra
lenses.
Although incredibly smart, the
General also is a bit quirky. He can’t
help some things. He has big ears. I
mean really big — like Yoda ain’t got
nothing on him. And they’re always
getting dinged up.
I felt horrible when I accidentally
rolled the Jeep window up on one of
staff photo by tammy Malgesini
Three-quarters of the Malgesini pack
— the General, Lucifer and John — race
down the McNary Tunnel Trail above
the Columbia River near Plymouth,
Washington.
his ears. Honestly, I don’t know how
it happened — it was like the perfect
storm — but his ears, they’re so dang
big.
I also had a window incident with
Lucifer at the bank drive-through. I
turned my head when the teller said
something and in that split second
I caught his head. He didn’t make a
peep. I noticed when I went to hand
him a treat from the teller.
I’m happy to report that I’ve never
rolled any of my husband’s append-
ages in the window. And now I always
watch it go up all the way up.
The General was quite willful from
the beginning. His attitude was, ‘We
don’t need no stinkin’ leash.” Being
an experienced German shepherd
mom, I knew I had to be firm with
him. We practically wore a path in the
backyard from me dragging him on
the leash.
After being deemed winner of the
leash wars, I ventured into the neigh-
borhood with him. Knowing he would
grow to be strong, I taught the General
to sit down whenever I stopped. He
mastered this with ease — sometimes
even anticipating as I slowed down
approaching a curb.
I realized how well he acquired the
stop-sit technique when my husband
returned after a morning walk. Foot
surgery had John moving at a slug-
gish pace. In fact, it was so slow that
the General kept sitting down every
few steps. I couldn’t help but laugh
thinking how that must have looked to
passersby.
During John’s convalescence, I had
my own experience with Lucifer. One
morning while walking him behind
Good Shepherd Medical Center, I let
him off the leash. He trotted ahead
and before I knew it he had triggered
the automatic door and entered the
hospital — evidently he had ambitions
of being a therapy dog.
If you aren’t a “dog person” you
just won’t understand. But those of us
fortunate enough to become part of a
pack are forever changed.
———
Tammy Malgesini is the community
editor. Her column, Inside my Shoes,
includes general musings about life.
Contact her at tmalgesini@eastorego-
nian.com or 541-564-4539.
NEW 2019
NEW 2019
TUNDRAS!
HIGHLANDERS!
$
7 000
,
New 2019 Toyota Tundra models in stock with up to $4000 rebates available from TFS plus $3000
Rogers discount. Stock #19H693. MSRP $53,175, sale price $50,175. On approved credit. Plus
tax, title and $75 doc fee. See dealer for details. Expires 9/3/19.
OFF MSRP
$
$
6 000
,
New 2019 Toyota Highlander models in stock with up to $3000 rebates
available from TFS. Stock #19H725. MSRP $49,469, sale price $46,469,
plus $3000 Rogers discount available. On approved credit. Plus tax,
title and $75 doc fee. See dealer for details. Expires 9/3/19.
NEW 2019 SEQUOIAS!
8 500
,
OFF MSRP
New 2019 Toyota Sequoia models in stock with up to $4000
rebates available from TFS. Stock #19H313. MSRP $60,539,
sale price $56,539, plus $4000 Rogers discount available. On
approved credit. Plus tax, title and $75 doc fee. See dealer for
details. Expires 9/3/19.
Reunion enjoyed by all
To the editor:
The three-day Umatilla High School all-
school reunion ended July 28 and was a tremen-
dous success! On behalf of the alumni associa-
tion and the reunion committee, we would like
to acknowledge the individuals and groups that
contributed to this success.
Some of these groups were the Umatilla
School District and staff, including UHS cheer-
leaders, baseball team, robotics team, G&G
Smokehouse Catering, Java Junkies catering,
Umatilla Banner Bank, Ron Burg and the Herm-
iston Airport staff. They were all instrumental in
making this a memorable gathering.
We especially want to thank those that par-
ticipated in the fundraising raffle which helps
sustain our ability to award scholarships every
spring. The main purpose of our nonprofit
organization is to award scholarships to students
who desire higher education. For additional
information regarding the Umatilla High School
Alumni Association, you may contact Janet
Nagy, president, at 541-567-3968 or write to
P.O. Box 1144, Umatilla, OR 97882. The annu-
al meeting is Aug. 23 in the conference room
at Desert Lanes Bowling Alley, Hermiston, at
5:30 p.m.
Betty Nobles
Umatilla
OFF MSRP