COMMUNITY
A2 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
THREE MINUTES WITH …
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2021
HERMISTON HISTORY
Methodist church nears completion in 1921
25 YEARS AGO
Oct. 8, 1996
AUSTIN SAINES
Hermiston
What is your job?
I was a cashier at Safeway. My last day was a cou-
ple of weeks ago. I’m moving to Kelso, Washington,
soon.
How long had you been at Safeway?
I was there three years.
What did you like about it?
I loved helping people, especially the older folks
I don’t feel like they get treated as fairly as other
people.
How did the pandemic changed your work
environment?
We had to wear a mask the whole shift, had our tem-
perature checked and asked if we have any symp-
toms. From my experience, I was just very warm all
the time because of the mask. Also it was diffi cult for
me to understand the customers and vice versa.
You’re a big wrestling fan. What do you like
best about wrestling?
I think what I love about wrestling is the technique
that it takes and the precision. One false move and
somebody can get really hurt. Also the persona
that somebody can put on can be odd, yet, after the
match or after the show, they’re really just people.
Most the time they’re really cool people.
Have you attended a wrestling show in
Hermiston?
Yes.
Who were your favorite wrestlers at those
shows?
I would say when Chavo Guerrero came down to
Hermiston, that was a dream come true. I remem-
ber watching him with the big companies and watch-
ing his uncle wrestle so it was a really big honor to
meet him. He was a really really nice guy and really
felt like he wanted to talk to you, not like you were
a nuisance. One other person I would say would be
“Filthy” Tom Lawlor. He’s very intense and really
appreciates and respects the wrestling business. But
when you’re talking to him as a fan he’s a really
good guy.
But you also like the team C4, right?
The reason I like C4 is because they have such great
chemistry in the ring. You know that’s really diffi -
cult to fi nd with somebody that you probably haven’t
grown up with or were great friends with to begin
your career with. Also I just think they’re really tech-
nically sound performers. They seem like the guys
that will take the time to talk to you and make you
feel special.
What is best in life?
Honestly I think friendship is something we take for
granted sometimes. But for me working three years
at Safeway I’ve made some memories that I hope
I never forget because I’ve met some really great
people. Also family of course at the end of the day
through all the ups and downs of life they’re all you
have. So try to cherish them and spend as much time
with them as you can. Because you don’t know when
you’re going to lose them, I know that well.
Five Hermiston residents were
recently honored in the 10th annual
Awards and Volunteer Recognition
Banquet for Oregon Special Olym-
pics: Michael Scott Davidson,
Hermiston Police Department Lt.
Jerry Roberts, Spike Piersol, and
Don and Lori Armstrong.
Davidson, who was recognized
as the “Special Olympian of the
Year,” has competed in the Spe-
cial Olympics since 1981. He par-
ticipates in track and fi eld, bowl-
ing, skiing and golf — and if that
isn’t impressive enough, he hasn’t
missed a single sectional or sum-
mer games since starting.
Roberts was honored as an “Out-
standing Volunteer” for his partici-
pation in the Law and Enforcement
Torch Run, a charitable campaign
for Special Olympics). He’s been
the community coordinator for the
event for six years and carries the
torch during the run.
Piersol also received the “Out-
standing Volunteer” award. Being
an EMT, he provides emergency
medical services for the Ore-
gon Trail Special Olympics sec-
tional and East State bowling
tournaments.
The Armstrongs, who own
McDonald’s, won the “Outstand-
ing Business/Corporate Support”
award for providing McDonald’s
food to the Oregon Trail Special
Olympics bowling tournament,
which they’ve done for 10 years.
In addition to providing food and
beverages, the Armstrongs have
provided employment to Special
Olympic athletes at their Herm-
iston and Pendleton McDonald’s
locations.
Hermiston Herald, File
Cub Scouts from three Hermiston troops invaded the Hermiston Fire Department
in October 1971 to inspect the new equipment and listen to Fire Chief Bob
Russell giving safety pointers and emergency instructions in observance of Fire
Prevention Week.
50 YEARS AGO
Oct. 7, 1971
• The people of Umatilla County
have had enough of mosquitos —
they’ve been a major nuisance in
the area and are suspected of caus-
ing several local encephalitis cases
in people and horses. One proposed
solution is establishing a West
Umatilla Vector Control District,
which the Umatilla County Court
will hold a public hearing at the
CRC building. If established, local
bodies of water would be stocked
with gambusia — fi sh which eat
mosquito larvae.
• In a recent meeting with the
Merchant’s Committee of the
Hermiston Chamber of Commerce,
along with city and school offi cials,
a policy was released to address
misconduct by Hermiston students,
which typically occurs during the
lunch hour. All matters concern-
ing crime (shoplifting, vandalism,
etc.) will be reported to the Hermis-
ton Police Department. Non-crim-
inal activities that create a bad
image will be reported, including
names of the students while keep-
ing the reporting merchants anon-
ymous, to the school principals. If
merchants are suspicious of future
trouble — such as students threat-
ening each other, planning undesir-
able activities — they’re instructed
to notify the appropriate people at
the schools or police department.
Hermiston Herald, File
Eleven-year-old Guy Stephens of
Armand Larive Middle School plays
at Hermiston’s Funland Park after
school in October 1996. The park is
due for some general maintenance
and will receive a coat of sealer before
winter hits.
Work on the church is proceed-
ing favorably, with all doors and
windows ordered and planned to
come in by Oct. 15. The windows
are of beautifully stained glass,
with the largest and fi nest going in
the back of the pulpit. The furnace
has already been shipped and will
be installed in the near future — a
good sign as winter draws nearer.
Folding chairs will take the place
of pews until they get ordered,
and when they do, the church will
have seating capacity for about 300
people.
Bishop W. O. Huges, head of
the church in a region covering
nearly all of Oregon, Washington
and Idaho, will give the dedication
address — probably in both the
morning and evening services. Dis-
trict Superintendent H. F. Pember-
ton of The Dalles also will be there
for the dedication.
———
McKenzie Rose, a sophomore
at Echo High School, searched
Hermiston Herald archives to
compile these article summaries.
local school personnel. Mrs. Bill
Helmick and Mrs. Ray Tolar of
Echo are co-chairs of te event, and
have appointed committees from
Ordnance, Boardman, Echo, Cold
Springs, Columbia, Umatilla, Stan-
fi eld, Irrigon, Pine City and Herm-
iston to contribute numbers for the
program. Following the program,
refreshments will be served and
there will be dancing, games and
cards.
This is the fi rst attempt by the
adult program committee of the
CRC to carry out a wide community
event, which was recommended by
the USO when they visited. Not
only will the party give people the
opportunity to become familiar
with the teachers of their respec-
tive communities, but also with the
CRC building and its advantages.
75 YEARS AGO
Oct. 10, 1946
100 YEARS AGO
Oct. 6, 1921
Forget waiting for Teacher
Appreciation Week in the spring,
let’s celebrate them now!
The adult program commit-
tee of Hermiston is planning an
adult party at the CRC in honor of
A new Methodist church is
almost fi nished being built and is
planned to be dedicated on Oct.
23. Though it won’t be complete
by that date, it will be ready for
occupancy.
Hermiston Herald, File
Hermiston resident Michael Scott
Davidson received the “Special
Olympian of the Year” honor in
October 1996.
BY THE WAY
By the Way: Provide your scary stories for a chance to win
The Hermiston Herald is running a true
scary story contest on its Facebook page
through Saturday, Oct. 30, at noon.
Maybe you lived in a house you believed
was haunted. Maybe you had a run-in with
someone who turned out to be a notorious
criminal. Maybe the bump in the night was
not your spouse but something else. We’re
seeking the scariest real-life stories from res-
idents in the Hermiston area. In no more
than 300 words, tell your real-life stories
under the contest post at www.facebook.
com/HermistonHerald.
After the deadline, we’ll pick the story
we think is the scariest and print that in the
paper after Halloween. The writer of that
spooky tale will receive a $20 gift card to
a local coff ee shop and a copy of the news-
paper that has their story.
Coarse language and graphic imagery
will disqualify entries. And please adhere
to the 300 word limit. Anything more also
will not qualify.
Now, tell us something really scary.
• • •
After taking a year off , Echo Oktober-
Fest is set for Saturday, Oct. 16, 4-10 p.m.
at Echo Ridge Cellars. Beer, brats, burgers,
dogs and Echo Ridge wines are all on the
menu. Organizers are also planning a vari-
ety of activities.
There is a raffl e, silent auction, and baked
goods sale under tents and inside the Echo
Ridge winery building. Live music starts at
4 p.m. by Margaret Mayer and Alan Feves
in traditional style and lederhosen. At 6:30
p.m, The Brass Fire Band plays.
Admission is $20. Pre-sale tickets
include a $5 bonus token. Tickets are avail-
able at the event or pre-sales at H&P cafe,
Echo Ridge Cellars, or Hermiston branch
of Columbia Bank.
Young people’s activities and food and
drink start at 4 p.m. A mule-team taxi is free
for getting around town or over to the cafe,
corn maze or back to Echo Ridge.
In addition, the historic St. Peter’s Cath-
olic Church will be having an open house
1-4 p.m. at 33208 Marble St., Echo.
• • •
The Hermiston Chamber of Commerce
has its new sign up on its building at 1055
S. Highway 395. High Performance Signs
& Graphics installed the new, cleaner look
on Sept. 29.
• • •
Speaking of chambers, the Irrigon
Chamber of Commerce on Thursday,
Sept. 30, held the grand opening of its
new offi ces and visitors center. Amazon
Web Services sponsored the event. State
Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, posted on
his Facebook page that members of his
team enjoyed the event, especially the deli-
cious baked goods provided by Nathan
Wedam, a senior at Irrigon Junior/Senior
High School.
• • •
The Hermiston Linebackers Club
invites football fans to be on their special
teams roster. A no-host luncheon meeting is
Thursday, Oct. 7, noon to 1 p.m., at Desert
Lanes Family Fun Center, 1545 N. First
St., Hermiston.
Coach David Faaeteete will discuss the
team’s recent loss against the Walla Walla
Blue Devils and share the game plan as they
take on the Southridge Suns at Kennison
Field (Friday, 7 p.m.). For more informa-
tion, contact Flora Larson at 541-567-5215
or fl ora@barnettandmoro.com.
• • •
The Harkenrider Senior Activity Cen-
ter menu for Thursday, Oct. 7, is beef
stew, biscuit, fruit and dessert. The menu
for Tuesday, Oct. 12, is barbecue chicken,
macaroni salad, baked beans 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 Herm-
iston, 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.