A2 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
THREE MINUTES WITH …
COMMUNITY
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022
HERMISTON HISTORY
Donkey ranch creates fun for owners 25 years ago
25 YEARS AGO
April 15, 1997
DAVE BEATY
Hermiston
Can you tell me about your job?
I’ve been a restaurant/store manager (at Pizza Hut).
I’m also a shift leader, which means I do anything
and everything in the restaurant to make it happen.
What does that mean?
I could be a server, a delivery driver, managing
everything at the same time. I’ve been trained to do
all the jobs here, and I train others, including high
school students. And this is important, because it
makes them ready to be good community members,
going on in their lives to do good things.
Do you like this job?
Yes, it is a job that I like. I’ve told my bosses that this
is the last job I ever want. I’ve been with Pizza Hut
since October of 2015. You know, a lot of restaurants
are similar when it comes to management. The job is
the same. The people and the food is the diff erence.
What are the qualities of an eff ective manager?
They’ve got to understand themselves, and they’ve got
to be nice. If they don’t walk through the door, being
good to other people, you shouldn’t have this job.
Sometimes that means that you leave your problems
behind. You don’t let a negative attitude from things
outside work aff ect how you treat people in work.
Do you have any hobbies?
My hobby is my 12-year-old daughter. Twelve years
ago, we thought we were done, me and my wife.
I have seven kids, fi ve grandkids and a couple of
great-grandkids. This keeps me busy, extremely busy.
What sorts of things do you enjoy doing with
your family?
We like to go camping, playing in the rocks and in
the river. We just like having fun and playing. Some-
times, we go to the thrift shop.
What was the last great treasure that you
found at a thrift shop?
I found another Seahawk glass for my wife. You
know, I’m not a sports fan at all, but my wife is a
dedicated diehard. She has been a fan since day one.
Come Super Bowl, my daughter and I go to Chuck
E. Cheese, while she watches the game without us.
What other things do you enjoy doing with
your daughter?
She likes doing arts and crafts. She likes clay and
painting. We always enjoy going out and fi nding tree
branches that we trim and use with her modeling.
She makes all sorts of decorations and jewelry. We
spend a whole lot of time outside. Drilling through
rocks is our big challenge right now.
Do you have any favorite locations nearby?
We like to go out to the Umatilla River. There’s a
bench out there that we like. We don’t fi sh, but we
have all the equipment. That’s something that we
might have more time for soon. With my stepping
down, we should have time for that kind of thing.
If you are looking for fuzzy,
aff ectionate little creatures, minia-
ture donkeys are the way to go. Just
ask Bill and Sue Morgan, because
they own over 15 on their “Half-An-
Ass Ranch”.
“They’re like raising kids except
they don’t talk back, they’re always
good and when they want to eat they
let you know,” Bill Morgan said.
Native to the islands of Sicily
and Sardinia, miniature donkeys
have an average life span of 25 to
40 years, weigh approximately 200-
450 pounds and are fairly easy to
care for.
The jennies, which are the
females, just graze while the jacks,
which are males, only need to be
fed once a day. Surprisingly, these
low-maintenance animals have quite
a high selling price.
“It’s not unusual to pay $7,000
for a jennie,” Sue Morgan explained.
Their animals appeared to be
doing very well. Nearly half of the
donkeys would soon be registered
by the International Miniature Don-
key Association, meaning they have
fair conformation, are in a good
state of health and are the right size.
Once the registration happens, the
Morgans could then raise the sell-
ing prices. But even if these don-
keys were not to bring in as much
dough, the Morgans said they would
still be overjoyed to have them as
companions.
50 YEARS AGO
April 13, 1972
Hermiston Music Director John
Sheeley was beyond belief when he
learned that the Hermiston Jazz Band
was selected to attend the fi rst “Jazz
Internationals” workshop and compe-
tition in Europe.
About 30 American high school
jazz bands and chorus groups were
chosen to participate in this pro-
gram, which includes educational
workshops in London and a festi-
val competition in Paris. Participa-
tion is by invitation alone, which is
based on reputation and excellence in
performance.
“It’s an honor to be included in a
group selected to insure America will
be represented at her best,” Sheeley
said.
In addition, scholarships would be
administered to outstanding individ-
ual performers and groups on both
the high school and college levels.
But that’s not all. These scholarships
would be awarded in the name of jazz
legends Stan Kenton and John Lewis,
both of whom are expected to attend
the awards ceremony in Paris.
For now, the approximately 20
jazz students who will be attend-
ing this trip of a lifetime are putting
everything they have into practice.
After all, upon receiving this grand
honor to learn and perform overseas,
they want to be ready.
Hermiston Herald, File
Sax soloist Bruce Martin was among the Hermiston Jazz members selected to
attend the 1972 International Jazz workshop and competition in Europe.
75 YEARS AGO
April 17, 1947
90 YEARS AGO
April 14, 1932
Hermiston was given the honor of
hosting the fi rst Traildusters Spring
Horse Show, scheduled to take place
at the county fairgrounds on April 20.
The program would be divided into
two age categories, children under 16
and all other adults. The surrounding
riding clubs received invitations, but
anyone is able to participate in any of
the events for their age group.
Events for those in the child cate-
gory include Musical Ropes, Three-
gaited class, Hands and Seat, Bend-
ing Race and Western Parts Pairs. The
adults have the options of participating
in Musical Chairs, Stock Horse Event,
Pajama Race, Bending Race and a
Pleasure Class. Though not experi-
enced in the terms of horse events
myself, these sound quite enjoyable.
The expected highlights of the
show are the exhibition of Kenneth
Rodgers’ gaited American Saddlebred
stallion, “Governor’s Lad,” and the
drill work to be displayed by the Pend-
leton Junior Mustangs team. Outlooks
are pretty positive for this event, with
everything from racing to exhibition
to display of discipline to keep horse
enthusiasts of all interests entertained.
Though Mother’s Day is still a
ways off , mothers will be honored
and celebrated at the unveiling of
“The Pioneer Mother” statue at the
University of Oregon.
This masterpiece was created by
the renowned Alexander Phimister
Proctor, whose sculptures depict-
ing animals and Western life are on
display at several Oregon colleges
and public areas. At the University
of Oregon, his statue will receive
an honorable place near Gerlinger
Hall.
All Pioneers of Oregon, students
and mothers would be welcomed
and encouraged to attend this cer-
emony, May 6-8. Throughout the
remainder of the weekend, dormito-
ries would be opened and the whole
university would unite to show these
mothers hospitality and homage.
In addition, special events were
being planned and the mothers
would have places of honor at all
junior weekend events.
█
McKenzie Rose, a sophomore at Echo High School,
searched Hermiston Herald archives to compile
these article summaries.
Are you retiring?
No, not retiring. When I stepped down from the store
manager position, that gave me more time for my
daughter and my wife. I’d like to go camping and take
the family to Lake Stuart, while I can still make it.
Is there any reason why you wouldn’t make it?
I’m 56 years old. That might not sound real old, but
it is when you are taking a 13-mile hike. It gets hard,
especially when you are carrying your backpack and
someone else’s.
Some things get harder with age, but is there
anything that gets easier?
Smiling actually comes a lot easier, because you
remember all the things you’ve been through.
Hermiston Herald, File
Hermiston Herald, File
In eff orts to save the Hermiston pool, fi fth graders Steven
Dewald and Mychal Bert join others at a car wash fundraiser
in 1997.
Twenty-fi ve years ago, Bill Morgan shows his love for
miniature donkeys by giving the youngest jenny, Ester, a
kiss.
BY THE WAY
Irrigon Citizen Recognition Banquet is planned for April 16
The Irrigon Chamber of Commerce is preparing for its
annual citizen recognition banquet.
Time to Shine is Saturday, April 16, 5-8 p.m. at Stokes
Landing Senior Center, 195 N.W. Opal Place, Irrigon. Tick-
ets for the dinner are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. In addi-
tion, wine and beer will be available for purchase.
Advance tickets can be purchased at the chamber offi ce,
420 N.E. Main Ave., the Bank of Eastern Oregon, 230 S.
First St., or by calling 541-626-2045. For more information,
visit www.irrigonchamber.com.
• • •
Hermiston’s middle school and high school music pro-
grams have a special treat for all of us. They will present their
annual All City Music Concert on Thursday, April 14, at
6:30 p.m.
Come see the work the bands and choirs are doing to
build these programs. Band is at 6:30 p.m. and choir starts at
7:10 p.m. Also, there will be a special tribute to our military.
The event is at Hermiston High School, 600 S. First Street.
Admission is free.
• • •
Visit the Blue Mountain Community College Workforce
Training Center on Wednesday, April 20, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for
a Port of Morrow Warehousing Hiring Event. The address
is 251 Olson Road, Boardman.
There will be on-site interviews. Job seekers should bring
their resumes. Starting wage for these jobs is $17.65, with med-
ical coverage and a pension plan as a couple of the benefi ts.
Also, visitors will be able to try out a virtual reality forklift
simulator.
• • •
If you want to learn about diabetes and how to prevent it,
Good Shepherd Health Care System, 610 N.W. 11th St.,
Hermiston, has an event for you.
The Diabetes Prevention Program is a yearlong lifestyle
change program for people with pre-diabetes and/or who are at
risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It starts Thursday, April 14,
3 p.m. For information and registration, call 541-667-3509 or
email healthinfo@gshealth.org.
• • •
The Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave., is
fl ush with upcoming events to fi ll out your calendar. Wednes-
day, April 19, 5 p.m., Teen Anime Club, will meet to discuss
their favorite shows from Japan. Family Movie Night is April
20, 6 p.m. Popcorn and drinks will be available for that event.
Also, Story Time continues as an in-person event every Tues-
day at 10:30 a.m.
• • •
The United Way of the Blue Mountains presents Dolly
Parton’s Imagination Library. Each month, your child under
the age of 5 can receive a carefully selected, high-quality book
and have it mailed in their name directly to your home. There
is no cost or obligation to your family.
Visit hermiston.or.us/library/page/kids-0 to learn about
this program and others available for young children at the
Hermiston Public Library.
• • •
The Harkenrider Senior Activity Center menu for
Thursday, April 14, is ham, baked potato, carrots, deviled
eggs and dessert. The menu for Tuesday, April 19, is meat-
loaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn 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 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 others. Take-out lunches are avail-
able by calling 541-481-3257.