OPINION
A12 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
LETTERS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019
COLUMN
Community center sale
a poor decision
If the city of Hermiston
follows through with the
sale of the Hermiston Com-
munity Center, then Bryan
Wolfe and Tim Mabry
need to dust off their dona-
tion list and see that the
city return that $665,000
in donations received from
community and business
donors.
This is a community
building run by the city, not
an asset the city can sell
off at their leisure. Another
poor decision being consid-
ered by our city council and
mayor.
Gary Quick
Hermiston
Hermiston schools
in need of updates,
expansion
To the editor:
When I came to Herm-
iston as superintendent of
schools in 1991, we had
about 3,500 students in six
schools. Today, 28 years
later, we have almost 6,000
students in seven schools.
Though some remodel-
ing has been accomplished,
four replacement schools
built and many tempo-
rary portable classrooms
brought in, our student pop-
ulation is almost 2,500
more than in 1991, with
only one additional school.
Classrooms are needed, and
schools are over capacity.
As I recall, Rocky
Heights Elementary is
sneaking up on 60 years
old. By the way, 60 years
is the average lifespan of a
school in America. A school
gets a great deal of wear
and tear from its use by stu-
dents as well as the many
community groups who use
the schools well into the
night. I can assure you that
the maintenance needs of
old schools are a money pit,
not to mention the unmet
safety needs for students,
staff and the community. To
draw an analogy, I don’t see
many of us driving a 1959
car as our daily driver.
Our schools are in need
of more capacity for our
present student population
and some room for future
growth. Plus, our schools
need to be safe, up-to-date
and effi cient.
As an educator in Ore-
gon since 1967, I have seen
a great many school bond
plans presented to the pub-
lic by superintendents and
school boards. This is a
very good plan. I urge you
to vote for capacity, safety
and effi ciency in our Herm-
iston schools.
Jer Pratton
Hermiston
The most valuable and
respected source of local news,
advertising and information for
our communities.
www.eomediagroup.com
I’m dialing in my inner ghostbuster
of our room. Glancing
around, she pulled back
the curtain and picked up a
blanket from the recliner.
With a puzzled look on her
face, she asked if we had
seen her e-cig.
Although it wasn’t
there just moments prior,
the bright pink device
was now on the window-
sill. Also, an incident in
the hotel’s gift shop left
us scratching our heads.
Carol had just examined
an hourglass-type device
without any problems. Yet,
when Cassie tried to see
how it worked, it was like
the bottom was glued on
tight.
Other unusual occur-
rences included my ful-
ly-charged laptop bat-
tery draining while sitting
unused for an hour, a low-
level buzzing sound at
night and dramatic fl uc-
tuations in the room
temperature.
Sidway said for the
most part Geiser Grand’s
ghostly encounters aren’t
scary in nature. The stories
she’s heard depict friendly
and jovial encounters. Sid-
way said hotel staff has
fun with its reputation
— blaming ghosts when
someone misplaces or
breaks something.
I ain’t afraid of no
ghosts — well, maybe just
a little.
———
Tammy Malgesini is
the community editor. Her
column, Inside my Shoes,
includes general musings
about life. Contact her at
tmalgesini@eastoregonian.
com or 541-564-4539.
By TAMMY MALGESINI
COMMUNITY EDITOR
A
bit of an adrenaline
junkie, I like things
that get my heart
pumping — including scary
stories and even ghost
hunting. A couple of recent
trips with friends have fea-
tured things that go bump
in the night.
I wouldn’t say I’m an
all-out believer, but I enter-
tain the possibility that
the spirits of someone or
something can linger.
Of course, with friends
like Carol Greene and
her daughter, Cassie, the
seemingly sinister activ-
ity might just be a twisted
sense of humor.
Last summer, we took
the Spirits of Seattle
Ghost Tour. Jake Jacob-
son, owner of Private Eye
Tours, showed us the sites
and shared spooky stories
about the Emerald City.
We stayed at a funky
Airbnb in Bothel. Housed
in the bottom level of a
house, I think Carol and
Cassie were a bit unnerved
that the homeowner had
access to our quarters.
However, I think the dude
was pretty harmless.
I did get unnerved after
returning from the ghost
tour. While getting a Pepsi,
I felt something tap my
shoulder. After looking
around, I pondered whether
I should alarm my friends.
Standing around the cor-
ner, Cassie suddenly burst
into laughter. Seriously, I
was freaking out thinking
a ghost followed us back
— Cassie really could have
Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini
Members of Big River Paranormal descend the staircase
at Geiser Grand Hotel to try to determine where music is
coming from. The team regularly leads investigations at the
historic Baker City landmark.
played that up longer.
There were a few odd
occurrences during the tour,
including my camera mal-
functioning while in The
Pine Box — an old funeral
parlor turned bar/night-
club. But, even weirder
things happened when we
stayed at the Geiser Grand
Hotel earlier this year.
We specifi cally went to
participate in a tour with
Big River Paranormal. The
Boise-based group leads
investigations in the his-
toric Baker City landmark.
Built in 1889, the struc-
ture sat derelict for more
than two decades when
Dwight and Barbara Sid-
way purchased it in 1993,
reopening it fi ve years
later. After a lot of curios-
ity about the possibility of
it being haunted, Barbara
contacted the paranormal
group — inviting them to
lead regular investigations
at the hotel.
Serena Hinojosa, Big
River’s managing part-
ner, said they don’t always
obtain solid evidence of
paranormal activity at the
Geiser Grand. However,
that’s not to say it isn’t
regularly occurring, it’s
just that they don’t have
scientifi c evidence to cor-
roborate it. Team members
and hotel guests, she said,
have seen and heard things
and been touched.
While anticipation of
the investigation could
have played on our senses,
Carol, Cassie and I expe-
rienced a few bizarre hap-
penings during our stay.
After dinner, Carol was
pacing along the far wall
EASTERN OREGON
marketplace
Place classified ads online at www.easternoregonmarketplace.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@ eastoregonian.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.easternoregonmarketplace.com for classified ads from all over Eastern Oregon
EAST OREGONIAN • HERMISTON HERALD • BLUE MOUNTAIN EAGLE • WALLOWA COUNTY CHIEFTAIN
104 Special Notices
104 Special Notices
CLASSIFIED LINE AD
DEADLINES
East Oregonian
2:30PM the day prior to
publication
Hermiston Herald
10am Tuesday
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!
1-800-962-2819
classifieds@eastoregonian.com
181 Lost & Found
Lost at Hat Rock on October
27: Brand new red 4 propel-
ler camera drone. Wind took it
away,daughter is very sad!!
Please call
(503)347-8156
CLASSIFIEDS ARE the place to
but it, sell it or find it...
check us out for what you need!
You can
find your
dream home
Check out our
Real Estate Listings
in the Classifieds
184 Personals
Use an attention getter,
color, or border to make your
ad stand out!
Contact Rowan or Chloe at
classifieds@eastoregonian.com
1-800-962-2819
to place your classified ad!
SELL IT! BUY IT! CLASSIFIEDS!
Find your new home in Classifieds
Your Dream Home
Could Appear at any
MOMENT!
DONT LET THAT MOMENT SLIP AWAY!
CHECK CLASSIFIEDS FOR LOCAL PROPERTY LISTINGS!
207 SUVs
504 Homes for Sale
504 Homes for Sale
504 Homes for Sale
HONDA CRV EXL
2013, Excellent condition, 49k,
Dark grey, grey leather
$17,250/OBO
5419805874
Never been a better time to sell.
Get a FREE market analysis call
RMLS#18381851
Pendleton Property 3 br 2 bath
manufactured home on a big
lot with small 2 b/r 1bath rental
house on same lot. Priced to sell
at $145,000. Call Cathy for more
info. (541) 215-0103.
Garton & Associates
541-276-0931
REDUCED to $175 000 Storage
Galore! Move in Ready with
fresh beginnings-1780 Sq ft
2 level home- 3 bed 2 bath,
detached garage & sheds
#19641273
Call your Realtor to tour
TURN HERE REALTY &
TRAVEL
305 SW Court Ave Pendleton
360 Garage Sales
Antiques/Garage Sale
Friday-Saturday 9-4
4203 SW Broadlane Pendleton
covered area.
Glass ware, tools, antique
items, clothes and trinkets.
LARGE INDOOR SALE
237 S Main in Pendleton
Right next to OMG Burger
Friday, Saturday from 9:00
to 3:00 then 10:00 to 3:00 on
Sunday
Numerous antiques and collect-
ables, musical instruments, vid-
eo games, vintage video game
systems, fine China, Pendleton
blankets, antique dining room
table and chairs, tools, bunk
beds, gold and silver jewelry,
comic books, large assortment
of collectable knives, hunting
and fishing, compound bow,
collectable cowboy spurs,
saddles, vintage wooden file
cabinets, cowboy boots, high
end purses, branding irons,
native baskets; beadwork and
tips. Assorted lamps, castiron,
numerous display cases, fine
artwork - multiple Doo Little,
televisions, bose stereo system,
enamel ware, vintage bar-
ber chair, Multiple collectible
scales, and SO MUCH MORE!
541-561-6875
Looking for a new place to
live? The classified ads offer
a complete section of homes,
apartments, and mobile
homes to fit your needs.
Check daily for new listings!
502 Real Estate
TURN HERE REALTY-- One
Realtor accessing all prop-
erties--Prompt, Courteous,
Reliable service to find your
New Home
Call Kerry 541 377 6855 or
drop by the Office at 305 SW
Court Ave Pendleton
How Much is your Home Worth?
Call Matt Vogler, The Week-
end and After Hours Realtor,
for a free Market Analysis.
541.377.9470. More Listings
needed to meet current buyer
demand!
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
Call for your classified ad today! 800-962-2819
Garton & Associates
541-276-0931
Current MLS listings include
several 3 and 4 bedroom, 2 bath
homes for sale in popular loca-
tions. Call Matt Vogler, “The
Weekend and After Hours Re-
altor” for addresses and pricing.
John J. Howard & Assoc.
541.377.9470
New Listing 712 SE Court . Car
wash or Espresso shop on a very
high traffic intersection. $ 94950
Priced to Sell RMLS#19111739
Call Kal for more info (541) 969-
7358
Garton & Associates
541-276-0931
How Much is your Home Worth?
Call Matt Vogler, The Week-
end and After Hours Realtor,
for a free Market Analysis.
541.377.9470. More Listings
needed to meet current buyer
demand!
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
ADDING a room to your home?
Furnish it with items advertised
in the classifieds.
$239,999- RMLS #18081947
New Listing 4 b/r 1 3/4 bath
North Hill. Freshly painted,
beautiful hardwood floors just
refinished. Great family home.
Call Shane for more info (541)
379-7802.
Garton & Associates
541-276-0931
If you have an eye for real
value, you’ll eye the
classified ads daily!
$245,000
One level spaciousness. 2032
sf(m/l). 3 bed, 2 bath, fami-
ly room. Newer HVAC. Large
fenced lot. Shop. Call Vicki
541-969-9441cell. #19156847.
Coldwell Banker Whitney &
Associates
541-276-0021
$119,000 – 2 Bedroom 1 Bath
Log Cabin near tollgate. Ap-
proximately 2 acres. 100 yards
from Snowmobile trail entrance.
Cash only, will not finance.
MLS# 19024843
Rocky Mikesell
Blue Jeans Realty
“Our office is wherever you
are”
541-379-8690
Keep up to
date on all your
local news
hermistonherald.com
$387,500 – 4 Bedroom 3 Bath
3754 sq. ft. Mid-Century Mod-
ern, Panoramic View. Private
setting. Wonderful home for
privacy or entertaining. MLS#
19205109
Rocky Mikesell
Blue Jeans Realty
“Our office is wherever you
are”
541-379-8690
$295,000 - 4 Bedroom 3
Bath Tri Level. Very nice
throughout. Large fenced yard.
Updated kitchen. Large deck
and nice city view. Close to
shopping. MLS# 19655891
Rocky Mikesell
Blue Jeans Realty
“Our office is wherever you
are”
(541-379-8690)
$89,000
Nicely updated office/retail
space, could easily be 2offices.
Break room, bathroom and stor-
age. Phone and internet wiring
in place, exterior signage. Jef
541-969-9539cell. #19359362
Coldwell Banker Whitney &
Associates
541-276-0021