A2 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
THREE MINUTES WITH …
COMMUNITY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2022
HERMISTON HISTORY
Flooding hit area 25 years ago
MIKE BOYLAN
Hermiston
Could you tell me one interesting thing about
yourself?
As of Nov. 1, I am a business owner. I own my own
brokerage now, my wife and I. It’s Boylan Realty. I
have been in real estate for fi ve years.
Do you work closely with your wife?
Yeah, and right now we have our daughter working
part-time with us.
What’s it like to work with your family?
It’s great. It’s something we’ve done before. My wife
had a website design company several years ago. We
were working together doing that, but some personal
things came up and we weren’t able to continue that
business. That’s when we made this decision to get
involved in real estate. There was a class that came
available, I took it and I got my license. That started
the path that we’re on right now.
What do you like about working with your
family?
We help each other. We know each other’s needs, and
we try to meet those needs.
What are the challenges of working with your
family?
I don’t know if we’ve come across any challenges.
There’s nothing about it that I don’t like. We’ve been
looking to do this for a while, we did it and we like
it. We enjoy helping people too. It’s a big part of
someone’s life to buy and sell property. We get to be
part of that.
You’re also very active in the community,
right?
Yes. My wife and I go to New Hope Community
Church. We teach Sunday school, and we do various
things in the community. I was born and raised in
Hermiston. My wife lived here and has family here.
We met, started a family here.
Was it a love at fi rst sight situation?
Actually, we were set up on a blind date. Our moth-
ers met. My mother was an Avon representative, and
her mother was new to the area. They got to talking
and set us up. Now, I have a daughter and a son, and
that’s where it all began. It was love at fi rst sight.
Where was your fi rst date?
We went to the Tri-Cities for a dinner and a movie.
What can you tell me about Hermiston and
your love of this community that has kept you
here?
I like the small feel of this community. Yes, we’ve
been growing by leaps and bounds, but people still
work together and help one another out.
Hermiston Herald, File
The receding Umatilla River is watched from a bridge near Hermiston High School in 1997.
25 YEARS AGO
Jan. 7, 1997
The snowfall we’ve received
this last week has been quite beau-
tiful and magical, but we can’t for-
get what usually follows — fl oods.
In Umatilla County in 1997 the
fl ooding didn’t do much harm.
Agricultural areas experienced
some erosion, and the roads were
damaged a bit.
“Not too many folks have called
in this time with damage reports,”
said Cindy Asher of Umatilla
County Emergency Management.
Flooding from West Birch Creek
ravaged a city park and closed a
portion of Highway 395 about 3
miles south of Pilot Rock. Mill
Creek, stemming out of the Walla
Walla River north of Milton-Free-
water, recorded water speeds of
2,800 cubic feet per second, which
aren’t as powerful as the previous
year’s 7,000 CFS speeds.
Morrow County, though not far
away, seemed to get the worst of
the fl ooding, with damage totals
exceeding $250,000. Two roads
south of Heppner — one at Rock
Creek and the other at Willow
Creek — washed away.
Culverts were damaged and at
least one resident was left stranded,
though thankfully there were no
reports of fatalities at the time.
Highway 207 reopened with one
usable lane yesterday, after being
closed due to high water 11 miles
east of Ruggs.
With all this damage, the county
commissioners of both counties are
working on obtaining federal aid,
but have to wait until the fi nal dam-
age reports and cost totals come in.
50 YEARS AGO
Jan. 6, 1972
New Year’s Eve is a time for
refl ection and celebration. We think
of all the things we have accom-
plished and experienced in the past
365 days. New Year’s Day is a time
for the new — a fresh start. Well,
what can be newer than a new per-
son brought into the world?
The fi rst baby born in 1972 at
Umatilla County Hospital was Mar-
tin Karl Lutz, seventh child of Mr.
and Mrs. David Ellis Lutz Sr. of
McNary. He was born at 1:46 a.m.,
weighing a hefty 7 pounds and
9 ounces. For winning the “baby
derby race,” he was awarded a
$25 bond and a baby book from
the Umatilla Hospital Auxiliary.
A close runner-up, born only two
hours and 19 minutes later, and 3
ounces lighter, was Heather Alex-
Hermiston Herald, File
The Martin family are winners of the Hermiston Driving Home for the Holidays
for the Chamber of Commerce. Standing with their pickup are Melvin (father),
Joshua, 2, Daniel, 8, Robey, 7, Coley, 5, Jenny, 4, and Tami (mother).
Hermiston Herald, File
Martin Karl Lutz was Umatilla
Hospital’s fi rst baby of 1972.
ander. She is the fi rst child of Mr.
and Mrs. Marvin Alexander, and
she also received a bond and baby
book.
75 YEARS AGO
Jan. 9, 1947
After 37 years in public offi ce,
F.C. McKenzie is stepping back. In
the last council meeting he would
reside over as Hermiston mayor, he
pointed out the numerous advances
Hermiston had made and some of
the new problems and challenges
to be faced in the upcoming years.
McKenzie estimated that Herm-
iston’s population would grow to
between 4,000 and 5,000 within
fi ve years, and expressed his opti-
mism on the new opportunities this
expansion would create.
“Hermiston has more possi-
bilities than any other city in the
entire Northwest,” he enthusias-
Hermiston Herald, File
Janet Bushby, one of the several
Umatilla mothers who volunteer time
for individualized skills, reads with
fi rst grader Jerome Fisher in 1972.
tically declared. McKenzie then
went on to complement his fellow
council members for their dedica-
tion and camaraderie, and wished
them great success under the lead-
ership of the new mayor of Hermis-
ton, Leander Quiring.
It was undoubtedly an emo-
tional night for McKenzie, who had
invested so much time and eff ort
into his community. Now, he has
the chance to sit back and expe-
rience all the improvements he
worked to establish.
———
McKenzie Rose, a sophomore at
Echo High School, searched Herm-
iston Herald archives to compile
these article summaries.
BY THE WAY
First Thursday event features downtown deals
If Christmas cash is burning a hole in your pocket,
check out the First Thursday event in Hermiston. Two
dozen downtown and beyond merchants are off ering spe-
cials Thursday, Jan. 6, 4:30-7 p.m.
Also, get four punches on an entry card and drop it
off at Hermiston Drug & Gift for a chance to win the
monthly drawing. For more information, search www.
facebook.com/Hermistondowntown.
• • •
Nonprofi t organization seeks volunteers
If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to give of your
time or talents, Domestic Violence Services could use
your help. Whether you have one hour or many hours
available, there are multiple ways to help support the non-
profi t organization.
Assistance is needed for everything from leading a
supply drive or helping with a special event to yard beau-
tifi cation and light housekeeping in the offi ces.
Also, people are needed for the 24-hour crisis line —
training is provided. Serving Umatilla and Morrow coun-
ties for more than 40 years, people are invited to inquire
about how they can help by calling 541-276-3322 or
emailing volunteer@dvs-or.org.
• • •
• • •
Boardman senior lunches available
Senior center off ers chili, fi sh meals
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 others. Take-out
lunches are available by calling 541-481-3257.
• • •
The Harkenrider Senior Activity Center menu for
Thursday, Jan. 6, is baked fi sh, scallop potatoes, cole-
slaw and dessert. The menu for Tuesday, Jan. 11, is chili,
cornbread, fruit and pudding. (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 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.
Save the date for the annual Martin Luther King
Jr. Peace March. Hosted by the Hermiston Cultural
Awareness Coalition, the event is Monday, Jan. 17,
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In addition to the short walk, Pastor Marlando Jor-
dan, of Kennewick’s Sozo Church, is the guest speaker.
The indoors portion of the event will be held at the
Hermiston United Methodist Church, 191 E. Gladys
Ave.
Annual peace march is set for Jan. 17