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THREE MINUTES WITH …
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021
HERMISTON HISTORY
Hermiston’s Dan Hane climbs
Mount Imja Tse 25 years ago
MARGARET
ANDERSON
Irrigon mayor
Hermiston Herald, File
When did you fi rst move to town?
Dan Hane, sitting front center, climbed Mount Imja Tse in Nepal in 1972.
I moved to the area in 2010 for a job for the Inter-
Mountain ESD. I work as an autism consultant. And
I moved into Irrigon because it had a lot of trees.
I’m from Idaho, the northern part, so I’m used to
trees. Irrigon, then, is the place that felt most at
home for me.
You’re an outdoors person. Do you like
camping?
Yes, camping, fi shing, all of that.
How was this past fi shing season?
This past fi shing season, I did not catch a thing. But
that’s pretty normal for me. I caught a hat one time.
I was really a better fi sher in Idaho. Maybe I’m still
using Idaho bait. I might need some suggestions.
What else do you like to do?
I like being around my grandkids, joking around
with everybody.
Why did you fi rst get involved in government
25 YEARS AGO
Dec. 31, 1996
Hermiston research agronomist
Dan Hane had the incredible chance
to climb one of Nepal’s famous
mountains, and he got all the way to
the top!
His group of 12 fellow climbers
spent four weeks in the steep moun-
tain range in Nepal. They carried all
their own personal gear during the
climb, and though they were con-
ditioned for the excursion, the lack
of oxygen made the pace slow and
tedious. “I’d take a step or two then
stop,” explained Hane. They perse-
vered, getting up at 3 a.m. to complete
the fi nal leg, and reached the 20,302-
foot summit. It was only 10 degrees,
but “we were lucky,” said Hane, “It
was a clear, sunny and windless day.”
Seven out of the 12 attempted the
hike, with two turning back — mean-
ing fi ve reached the top.
This climbing trip was Hane’s
fi rst one outside the U.S., and now he
can add Mount Imja Tse to his list of
accomplished climbs, which includes
Mount Hood, Rainier, Shasta and
Adams. The cost, including airfare,
reached approximately $5,000. How-
ever, “that’s what I do for entertain-
ment,” Hane said.
50 YEARS AGO
Dec. 30, 1971
Girls throughout Umatilla County
service?
are encouraged to consider partici-
pating in the Miss Umatilla County
Beauty Pageant, which will be expe-
riencing some improvements.
Ron Stevenson, Hermiston Jay-
cee chairman for the pageant, said the
Jaycees intend to be more inclusive
by welcoming areas not previously
represented, increase the $2,500 bud-
get and award a $250 scholarship and
$150 wardrobe to the winner. Miss
Umatilla County of 1971-72, Janet
Hopkins, is a 20-year old sophomore
and speech pathology major at the
University of Oregon. She said her
reign consisted of speaking to booster
clubs and cutting ribbons, claiming
that “speaking, especially to boost the
Miss Umatilla County Program, was
the best part.”
The 1972 Miss Umatilla County
Beauty Pageant is scheduled for
7:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 in the Hermiston
Junior High School Auditorium. Any
single girl between ages 18 and 28
living in Umatilla County is eligible-
and encouraged to join in the contest.
75 YEARS AGO
Jan. 2, 1947
The federal civil services
announced job off erings as radio
mechanics for Puget Sound, with sal-
aries ranging from $10.56 to $11.52
per diem (quite a lot in 1947).
People desiring this position must
pass an examination, which will lead
to probational appointment. If they’re
When I fi rst moved here, I saw some things that, as
a person who was paying taxes, I didn’t appreciate.
So I started going to city council meetings, and I got
on the planning commission. Then, when they had a
position on city council, I got on the city council.
What future do you see for Irrigon?
When we fi rst got here, this town was so far in debt,
it couldn’t even see straight. Now, we’re build-
ing things. We have people coming in. We have new
Hermiston Herald, File
businesses, and we’re going to have a lot more com-
ing in because of a change of culture.
Winners of the 1971 annual Moore & Ripley Drug Store Boys and Girls Contest,
Robbie Walling with 48,244 votes (left) and Starla Coy with 40,160 (right).
Customers were permitted to nominate a child of their choice, and then the
nominees were voted on with each cent of purchase.
hoping for a permanent position,
they’ll have the opportunity to fi le for
a civil service examination leading to
probationary appointments with per-
manent classifi ed civil status. Appli-
cants must be between ages 18 and
62, and have to turn in their applica-
tion by Jan. 8, 1947.
According to Postmaster Wm.
E. Logan, the amount of Christmas
mail nearly doubled from last year.
Approximately 60,000 letters, cards
and other fi rst-class mail was pro-
cessed at the Hermiston Post Offi ce.
Imagine how stressful that was for
the postal workers! The amount of
Christmas parcels was about the
same as last year, and overseas pack-
ages were quite a bit fewer — which
makes sense in wartime.
100 YEARS AGO
Dec. 29, 1921
Arlington and Boardman have
proposed creating a new county by
separating the northern sections of
Morrow and Gilliam counties.
They claim that the counties are
too big to be effi ciently governed,
and the northern ends are so remote
and far from the seats of government
that they aren’t represented prop-
erly. For instance, the Boardman
hay section was upset because the
remainder of Morrow County, being
invested in livestock, was interested
in cheap hay.
Arlington is approximately 38
miles from Condon, the seat of Gil-
liam County, and Boardman is about
43 miles from Heppner, Morrow
County’s seat of government. Arling-
ton believes it should be the seat of
government for the new county,
claiming it has superior location and
is the largest town in the proposed
new county limits. However, if a
new county is to be established, it is
believed that Boardman would have
strong claims to the county’s seat of
government.
It looks like most of these issues
have been resolved, though, because
both Morrow and Gilliam counties
still reach north to the Columbia
River.
———
McKenzie Rose, a sophomore at
Echo High School, searched Herm-
iston Herald archives to compile
these article summaries.
BY THE WAY
Resolution Run races into the new year
Starting off the year by running and
walking outdoors surrounded by neigh-
bors is one of Timothy Beal‘s favorite
traditions. And he invites people to race
into the new year during the annual Reso-
lution Run in Hermiston.
The 2022 event is Saturday, Jan. 1,
9-11 a.m., starting at the parking lot at
Riverfront Park. There is no fee. There
are no aid stations on the course but water,
high fi ves and a photo booth will be avail-
able at the fi nish line.
Participants are invited to walk, jog
or run the entire Oxbow Trail (about 3.1
miles), or whatever distance they choose.
Strollers, well-behaved dogs on leashes
and kids on scooters are welcome. Be sure
to watch for special rocks that a group of
local artists painted and will hide along
the path.
It’s too late to order a T-shirt, but
some may be available. For more infor-
mation, email timothybeal@gmail.
com or search www.facebook.com/
hermistonresolutionrun.
• • •
With 2022 featuring midterm elec-
tions, parties are blazing a trail into the
new year to get information out about
its candidates. The Umatilla County
Republican Party is hosting a Republi-
can Gubernatorial Forum on Monday,
Jan. 3, 6 p.m. at the Pendleton Con-
vention Center, 1601 Westgate. Light
refreshments will be provided.
For more information about the
local Republican party, contact Suni
Danforth, Central Committee chair,
at 541-215-9389, ucrpchair@gmail.
com or search www.facebook.com/
groups/85685613647.
• • •
Also related to the 2022 election, Rep.
Bobby Levy, R-Echo, invites people to
a meet-and-greet with Rep. Christine
Drazan, R-Canby, who is running for
governor of Oregon.
“In an election where a dozen Repub-
lican candidates have already fi led, you
will fi nd nobody more knowledgeable
about state government or better equipped
to lead Oregon from day one,” Levy said.
“I am honored to support Christine and
introduce her to our community.”
The free event is Thursday, Jan. 6,
6-8 p.m. at Sno Road Winery, 111 W.
Main St., Echo. Those planning to attend
are asked to RSVP by emailing info@
bobbylevyfororegon.com or calling
541-805-2630.
• • •
Mark your calendars for the Crock-
pot Creation fundraiser. Crockpot cooks
are encouraged to enter their culinary
creations — and others are invited to
put their taste buds to the test as judges.
There will be a bake sale, too.
Money raised will help support partic-
ipants in the Elevate Student Ministry
attend Winter Retreat 2022. The tasty
fundraiser is Sunday, Jan. 16, 3-5 p.m.
at Hermiston Church of the Nazarene,
1520 W. Orchard Ave. There is no fee to
enter your favorite concoction — regis-
ter at www.hermnaz.church/events. For
more information, contact michael@
hermnaz.church or 580-919-0575.
• • •
The Harkenrider Senior Activity
Center menu for Thursday, Dec. 30, is
meatloaf, baked potato, vegetables and
dessert. The menu for Tuesday, Jan. 4,
is to be announced. (In-house meals will
be served from noon to 12:30 p.m. Peo-
ple planning to dine in are asked to call
by 11 a.m.)
For a Meals on Wheels delivery in
Hermiston, 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 is
open for dine-in lunches on Tuesdays
and Thursdays, noon at 100 Tatone St.
Meals are $4 for seniors and $5 for oth-
ers. Take-out lunches are available by
calling 541-481-3257.