COMMUNITY
A2 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
THREE MINUTES WITH …
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022
HERMISTON HISTORY
Tiger trainer tells of his circus work 25 years ago
25 YEARS AGO
April 22, 1997
DARLENE RIESLAND
Hermiston
How long have you lived in Hermiston?
Since 1982, or something like that. I came here
because of my husband. His mom lived here. I like it
here.
Do you have any favorite hobbies?
I do circle-a-word and crossword puzzles. I have
books for them.
Do you have any favorite restaurants?
Panda Inn (Restaurant & Lounge). I like the sweet
and sour chicken.
Do you like to cook?
Yeah. I’ll make Hamburger Helper, or something like
that.
Do you like to read, watch TV or watch
movies?
I’ll watch TV. “Wheel of Fortune and “The Price is
Right” are my favorites. I’ll watch “Jeopardy,” too.
During your time in Hermiston, what has
changed?
A lot of people have moved here. I like small towns,
though. They’re quieter, and you know more friendly
faces. Once in a while, I’ll come to the Hermiston
Herald offi ce, but only when I don’t get my paper.
Are there things in the paper that you like to
read?
I’ll read the front page. I see some interesting sto-
ries, especially stories about people.
What do you like about people?
I like to talk with them. I meet friends in person or
on the phone. I like to go places with them, but I
haven’t been able to lately. I had an accident.
What was your accident?
I fell. I was trying to get ahold of my husband’s
walker. Then I fell in the Safeway parking lot. It
hurts. I saw a doctor, he took x-rays of my knee and
put a cast on my wrist.
Do you often have accidents?
No. That would be awful.
Who helps you when you do have accidents?
My husband. He helps me get my seatbelt on, stuff
like that. He’s good. He likes to do crossword
puzzles.
Are there any things you would like to do or
places you would like to go?
I’d like to see my sister. She’s in Zillah, Washington.
I haven’t seen her in a long time, and I like Zillah.
I might like to see the dinosaurs in Granger (Wash-
ington). I’ve seen the murals in Toppenish (Washing-
ton). They’re nice.
Will you go there soon?
I don’t know.
What would help you get there?
I’d have to ask my husband. I think he would.
— Hermiston Herald
Despite the dangerous nature
of tigers, trainer Larry Allen Dean
shows no fear when handling
these majestic animals.
The Florida-based Shriner’s
Reid Bros. Circus visits approx-
imately 100 towns during its 27
weeks on the road between April
and October — and Hermiston
was one of its stops last week.
Dean, “Tiger Man,” worked
with six giant Bengal-Siberian
Tigers during the two-night circus.
The show was quite a success,
with Dean’s tigers rolling, prowl-
ing, sitting, leaping and roaring on
cue.
“I follow their natural traits and
put them in an entertaining set-
ting,” he explained.
Sitting on the side during these
performances were four young
tigers-in-training, taking in all
the techniques and movements of
their older companions.
Owner of the Texas Tigers, now
in his 25th year as a trainer, Dean
began his career first by cleaning
up after tigers as a teenager. Then
he arranged for an apprenticeship
under a master trainer.
“The tradition of the circus is
an oral tradition. You can’t buy a
book to learn how to train tigers,”
he said.
Now a master trainer himself,
Dean has toured Japan, Europe
and America working not only
with tigers but also elephants,
lions and camels.
50 YEARS AGO
April 20, 1972
Members of the newly formed
local Interact organization are
ready to get the ball rolling.
This organization, of which
there are more than 200 across
66 countries and on every conti-
nent, is sponsored by the Rotary
International. It is open to all high
schoolers and can be one gender
or mixed, depending on the spon-
soring clubs’ discretion.
The local Rotary Club decided
this Interact organization would
be all-female, in order to avoid
conflict with the recently estab-
lished all-male Kiwanis Key Club.
At a meeting, the nominat-
ing committee, chaired by Kathy
Doherty, prepared a slate of offi-
cers to be voted on and projects
to commence. Specifically, their
focus was on “Operation Mead-
owood Drive,” a fundraising
endeavor to provide children with
speech, hearing and language dis-
orders to attend a speech camp for
intense therapy.
According to Meadowood
executive secretary Gene Conk-
lin, about three-quarters of chil-
dren attending seek financial
assistance.
75 YEARS AGO
April 24, 1947
One of the the last pioneers of
this region, Julia Amelia Bortzer,
died at her home at the age of 82.
Julia was born on April 10,
1865, in Tama County, Iowa. She
was the daughter of B.J. and Ame-
lia Riddle, and married John R.
Staley in 1884. Four years later, the
Stanleys ventured on the Oregon
Trail and established their home
near this area.
Upon her husband’s death, Julia
remarried Jacob Bortzer in 1903
Hermiston Herald, File
In 1997, tiger trainer Larry Allen Dean gives a pep talk to one of his tigers before
a circus performance.
Hermiston Herald, File
In 1972, the new Interact organization prepares an offi cer election slate.
Nominating committee and Rotary Club members standing in the photo are
Dale Gaylord, Lisa Hamblin, Harold Miller, Lisa Dukes, Mary Meyers and Col.
Harry Dukes. Vicki Nutter, Kathy Doherty and Ann Rasmussen are all seated.
and they lived together at Hood
River for a number of years.
This woman lived a historical-
ly-rich life, having traveled the
Oregon Trail, worked as a home-
stead wife, raised a family amidst
the hardships of pioneer ranch
life, witnessed numerous confl icts
between settlers and Native Amer-
icans and endured multiple epi-
sodes of sheep and cattle wars.
Surviving Julia were her two
sisters, Cora Young of Iowa and
Etta Smith of Colorado; two
daughters, Mabel Boehmer of
Portland and R.F. Tash of Herm-
iston; six grandchildren and seven
great-grandchildren.
90 YEARS AGO
April 21, 1932
The Irrigon High School band
won second place in the Class C
state competition, behind Hill Mil-
itary, held in Corvallis.
The band, under Merton
Dawald, won the state champion-
ship the year prior, and it was back
again with similar hopes in mind.
While they were one ranking
short, they reported this was still
an incredible feat and said they had
a great time.
They were entertained at fra-
ternity and sorority houses during
their stay.
BY THE WAY
Hermiston resident brings home award for corn yield
Hermiston farmer Victoria Caroll earned a fi rst-place
state award in the 2021 National Corn Growers Associ-
ation National Corn Yield Contest. Caroll is one of the
highest yield producers in the nation, yielding 233 bush-
els per acre in the No-Till Irrigated category.
The 57th NCGA contest challenged farmers to achieve
record-setting yields and improve agricultural manage-
ment practices for a more sustainable future, according to
a press release from the association.
• • •
Stanfi eld Secondary School students are preparing
to serve their community Friday, April 22. According to
Principal Blaine Braithwaite, the kids will be out and
about around town doing various service projects.
Such projects include cleaning up trash along the high-
way, helping out at the library, cleaning headstones and
weeding at the cemetery and painting the large concrete
wall at the school’s football fi eld.
Also, elementary students will be doing a walking
fi eld trip through town on the same day. They will pass
out letters to businesses, thanking them.
• • •
Visit the Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys
Ave., for Story Time. The library will host a public read-
ing of a children’s book at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 26.
• • •
Make a spot on your calendar for a good cause.
Domestic Violence Services, Inc., will have its 8th
Annual DVS Walk “In Her Shoes” awareness event
9 a.m., April 30 at Good Shepherd Health Care Sys-
tem, 610 N.W. 11th St., Hermiston.
This activity lets participants take a journey through a
real victim’s story and make decisions from the limited
choices and resources they have.
Bottled water, disinfecting wipes, sanitizer, disposable
masks and gloves will be available for participants.
Donations will go towards shelters in Pendleton and
Hermiston, as well as advocacy centers in Pendleton,
Hermiston, Milton-Freewater, Boardman and Ione.
For more information, contact events@dvs-or.org.
• • •
If you are looking for a family-friendly activ-
ity, the Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys
Ave., has something for you. Family Movie Night
is 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 20. Popcorn and drinks
will be provided.
• • •
Bookminders, the book club of the Hermiston Public
Library, has selected its latest book of the month.
The book, “The Fortunate Ones,” is a novel by Ed
Tarkington. It tells the story of a young man who falls
in with the wrong crowd and has to reconsider his path
in life.
Visit the Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys
Ave., to pick up the novel. It is available at the front desk.
The club will meet 1:30 p.m., May 10, to discuss the book.
• • •
The Harkenrider Senior Activity Center menu for
Thursday, April 21, is spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and
dessert. The menu for Tuesday, April 26, is barbecue
chicken, macaroni salad, fruit 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 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 available by calling 541-481-3257.
— Hermiston Herald