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THREE MINUTES WITH …
COMMUNITY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
HERMISTON HISTORY
HHS band marches in 1996 Westward Ho! Parade
25 YEARS AGO
Sept. 17, 1996
ANDREW MORRIS
Umatilla
What is your occupation?
I’m currently retired and looking for the next life
adventure. Before moving to Umatilla last year, I
was a policy analyst/advisor for the federal govern-
ment in the healthcare sector in Washington, D.C.
Prior to that, I was a lobbyist.
While Mexico celebrated its inde-
pendence over the weekend, so did
Hermiston residents with dancing,
music, food, and a pageant nam-
ing the Mexican Independence Day
queen and princess. The festival, held
at McKenzie Park, lasted from Sun-
day morning into the evening. The
celebration has been held in the park
since 1991 — before then, it was at
Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church.
Contestants in the high school
age group competed for the title of
“Reina Fiestas Patrias” (Queen), as
the fourth through sixth-grade con-
testants were in the “Princess” cat-
egory. The girls were asked to wear
dresses native to their Mexican state
and give a short explanation about
that special place of heritage.
In the princess category, Ana Gut-
tierez came in third place and was
awarded $10, Sonia Sotello also won
$10 with second, and Mayra Guzman
received $30 and the “Princess” title
upon winning fi rst.
Hermiston Herald, File
Pageant contestants wait to be introduced to the crowd at the celebration of
Mexico’s Independence in September 1996 at McKenzie Park.
can Red Cross, $26,450; Blue Moun-
tain Council, Boy Scouts of America,
$15,000; Eastern Oregon Alcoholism
Foundation, $1,100; Milton-Freewa-
ter Camp Fire Girls Council, $2,750;
Oregon Council, Camp Fire Girls,
$13,500; Oregon United Appeal,
$10,000; Salvation Army, $18,000;
What is the most fun thing you have ever done
at work?
The most fun thing I have ever done at work was
attend a White House event that Patti Labelle per-
formed at.
Have you ever met a famous person? What
happened?
Through work in politics, there are opportunities to
meet celebrities who have diff erent causes and what-
not. One of my favorite encounters was riding an
elevator with Sen. Obama during the 2008 election
cycle. He was very friendly and outgoing.
What is the best place you have ever visited in
the world?
My favorite place in the world that I have visited
would have to be the Amalfi Coast of Italy and the
small villages along the coastline there. The fresh
Italian food and wine is absolutely amazing!
What is your favorite place (restaurant, park,
etc.) in the area?
I’m still new to the area and exploring new places to
go. Moving here during the pandemic kind of limited
options of things to do. I enjoy eating at Midway or
going to the park by the McNary Dam.
What is your favorite local annual event?
There are a couple of local events that have been fun
to attend. One is the Juneteenth celebration, which
was a great way to meet new people. The other was
the Umatilla County Fair and Rodeo with relatives.
Hermiston Herald, File
The Hermiston High School Marching Band proudly carries their banner during
the 1996 Pendleton Round-Up Westward Ho! Parade.
The 1996 Mexico Independence
Day Queen, and the accompany-
ing $150, was awarded to Fabiola
Morales. Rosa Elana Ortiz received
$100 with second place, and Janette
Rivera got $50 with third.
50 YEARS AGO
Sept. 16, 1971
The United Good Neighbors cam-
paign leaders for the Hermiston area
had an ambitious goal for 1972: to
raise $14,000.
Umatilla County UGN chairman
Joe McLaughlin announced the 1972
Umatilla County goal is $100,881.39,
to be distributed among the 12 UGN
member-agencies as follows: Ameri-
Hermiston Transient Aid, $300; Mil-
ton-Freewater Transient Aid, $400;
Pendleton Transient Aid Society,
$600; UGN campaign and admin-
istrative expenses, $9,781.39; and
pledge default, $3,000.
The Hermiston Committee chair-
men (with co-chairmen in parenthe-
sis) who will work to put this plan
into action are listed, along with
their responsibilities: Joe Burns,
leadership; Chuck Norris (Chuck
Bailey), payroll; Carlisle Harri-
son (Dick Lowry and John Cer-
mak), north business; Matt Doherty
(Glenn Dyer), south business; Jim
Shropshire, federal government;
Betty Wolcott, Umatilla Army
Depot; Richard Scott, Hermiston
What is your favorite hobby?
My favorite hobby is traveling. I have been able
to have diff erent experiences and live from Asia to
the Middle East. Learning about other cultures and
other people’s lived experiences gives a diff erent
perspective to your life. Reading is another great
way to learn about cultures.
What is your favorite book?
My favorite book is “Between Two Kingdoms” by
Suleika Jaouad. It is her biography of living through
cancer and traveling the country after beating the
disease to fi nd meaning and purpose in her life
again.
Do you believe in love at fi rst sight?
I believe in attraction at fi rst sight. For a small per-
centage of people, there is the possibility of love at
fi rst sight (hopefully after a conversation to make
sure the other person isn’t an ax murderer!). There is
always that possibility…
Hermiston Herald, File
United Good Neighbors members, from left, Matt Doherty, Joe McLaughlin, Chuck
Norris and Charles Stine, discuss fundraising during a September 1971 meeting.
schools; George Jaros, rural; Henry
Frischmuth, fi nance; Anne Metsopu-
los, publicity; Bob Rothermel, Ore-
gon state employees; and Jack Naff ,
Hermiston Ministries.
75 YEARS AGO
Sept. 19, 1946
Those near and far had been
expressing hope for a bridge around
the McNary Dam area that would
facilitate traffi c to Seattle and other
northwest cities. Well, such a bridge
was fi nally becoming a reality.
At a recent Prosser, Wash., meet-
ing, representatives of the McNary
Development Association met with
delegates from chambers of com-
merce from several Washington cit-
ies near the proposed bridge site.
They were all in support of a bridge,
and agreed that it should be made
on top of the dam instead of hav-
ing a separate bridge below it. This
would most likely make it an inter-
state bridge to be fi nanced by the two
states, with the possibility of some
federal aid, too. However, Army
engineers discouraged a crossing on
the dam and instead recommended
building the bridge below it.
Members of the McNary Devel-
opment Association met Sept. 24
at Stanfi eld High School to further
plans for advancing the McNary
Dam Bridge.
100 YEARS AGO
Sept. 15, 1921
The excellent weather and enter-
tainment at the nearby ‘experiment
farm’ drew approximately 700 peo-
ple — from Pendleton to Boardman
and beyond — to come and enjoy a
day fi lled with style, advice and fun!
People began gathering at the
farm around noon, bringing their
own lunches. Some arrived in their
cars and others on horseback, giv-
ing the grounds the appearance of a
county fair.
Just after noon, the regular pro-
gram began with a fashion show
staged by Edith Van Deusen, the
county home demonstration agent.
The dresses were furnished by Alex-
ander’s of Pendleton, with Jane War-
ner and Elizabeth Straw showcasing
the styles for little girls as Miss Ruth
Snow displayed those for young
women.
Following the fashion show were
speakers Professor P. M. Brandt of
Oregon Agricultural College and R.
E. Bean of Umapine, Ore.. Brandt
spoke about the harm the war had
on dairy production, and encouraged
more farmers to utilize that sector.
Moving from the town to the farm
seven years ago, Bean also moved
the audience to laughter and applause
as she entertained the crowd with her
stories and experiences of being a
farmer’s wife.
———
McKenzie Rose, a sophomore
at Echo High School, searched
Hermiston Herald archives to
compile these article summaries.
BY THE WAY
District hires Padilla for head baseball coach
District Athletics and Activities Director Larry
Usher announced Dave Padilla as the new Hermiston
High School head baseball coach.
A former Bulldog baseball player himself, Padilla pre-
viously was an assistant coach and will lead the team this
year. He also helped coach football and is a member of
the softball coaching staff . Padilla has extensive coach-
ing experience ranging from youth to high school, as he
coached his children through athletics. He has coached
sports from youth basketball to soccer to little league.
“The Hermiston School District is very excited to
have coach Padilla back in our baseball program,” Usher
said. “We are looking forward to him building connec-
tions with our community and youth program.”
Padilla raised three daughters in Hermiston who were
multi-sport athletes for the bulldogs. He will replace
Kevin Moore as head coach.
• • •
The Boardman Fire Rescue District announced
that extreme fi re danger has prompted the extension of
its summer burn ban to Oct. 1.
• • •
Southern New Hampshire University named Joc-
elle Quinn of Hermiston and Holly Kress of Hermis-
ton to the summer 2021 President’s List.
Full-time students who have earned a minimum
grade-point average of 3.700 and above are named to
the President’s List. SNHU is a private, nonprofi t insti-
tution with an 89-year history.
• • •
The Boardman Marina & RV Park announced it
has been experiencing issues with its phones. As a tem-
porary solution, call 541-571-4473 or 541-571-6144 to
reach the reservation booth during business hours.
• • •
The Harkenrider Senior Activity Center menu
for Thursday, Sept. 16, is lasagna, garlic bread, corn
and dessert. The menu for Tuesday, Sept. 21, is baked
chicken, stuffi ng, vegetables and dessert. (In-house
meals will be served from noon to 12:30 p.m. People
planning to dine in are asked to call by 11 a.m.)
For a Meals on Wheels delivery in Hermis-
ton, call 541-567-3582 before 10 a.m. to place an
order. To pick up a meal from the center at 255
N.E. Second St., call before 11 a.m. Meals are
$5 and can be picked up between 11:30 a.m. and
noon.
• • •
The Boardman Senior Center now is providing
meal delivery. Meals are $4 paid upon delivery. Call
541-481-3257 to order.