A2 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
THREE MINUTES WITH …
COMMUNITY
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022
HERMISTON HISTORY
Abbie Ditton named 1997 ‘Mom of the Year’
25 YEARS AGO
May 20, 1997
ANDREW BROOKS
Hermiston
How long have you lived in Hermiston?
Off and on pretty much for my entire life.
What do you like about this town?
There’s quite a bit that I like about Hermiston. First
of all, there’s the community. It’s close knit. We have
festivals, and the city seems to care about its people.
What hobbies do you have?
I don’t have too many. I do play video games. I enjoy
roleplaying games and shooters. You name it, I’ve
played it. That’s why I work here at GameStop. I’ve
been here about six months.
Can you tell me about your customers?
I love my customers. You can’t get better custom-
ers than GameStop customers. Everybody coming
in here is absolutely happy quite a bit, all the time,
because they’re looking at video games, they’re
looking at toys, they’re looking at game boards and
they’re looking for presents they want to get. You just
can’t get a frown in here.
What’s the newest hot thing in gaming right
now?
That’s a diffi cult question. We have consoles com-
ing out constantly. There’s the Xbox Series X and
Series S. Then there’s the Playstation 5, the Nintendo
Switch. There’s not a bad choice. It just depends
on your interests. We have video games, hot sell-
ers coming out constantly. There’s a new Harry
Potter game that’s coming out that I can’t wait for.
Pokemon is always a big one with the kids. There’s
collectibles. Pops are one of the biggest things we
have here, and statues. There are statues from Todd
McFarlane. We’re proud to carry his work.
Is this stuff only for kids?
No, not at all. Well, maybe it’s for kids of all ages.
You can say that.
Are you a kid at heart?
Absolutely. You have to be young on the inside to
stay young on the outside.
Do you have plans for the summer?
My friend wants to take a trip across the coun-
try, and I’d like to go with him. He wants to see
the Atlantic Ocean, and that’s something I’ve seen
before when I was homeless for many years. From
16 to 22, I traveled across the country back and
forth.
That’s a very dangerous thing, isn’t it?
It can be, a little bit. I don’t advocate it. I’ve been
in dangerous situations in my life, but I made it out.
I’m still here. You just got to have faith in life.
“My mother is truly the most amaz-
ing person that I know. No matter what
is going on in her life, she is always
thinking of things that she can do for
others,” was how Ellen Ditton’s win-
ning essay began, which rendered her
mother, Abbie Ditton, the 1997 Oregon
State University “Mom of the Year.”
Ellen Ditton, 20, was a junior at
OSU as a business administration stu-
dent. Her brother, Mark Ditton, 22, was
also attending OSU as a second-year
law student — following in the foot-
steps of their father, Tom.
Abbie was a stay-at-home mom
until both of her children attended col-
lege, savoring every moment with
them. She would also help their friends
as the need arose, stating, “All you
have to do is care — and praise them
once in a while.”
An automobile accident which
almost took Abbie Ditton’s life 10
years prior put a whole new perspec-
tive on Ellen Ditton’s relationship with
her mom.
“I was given a second chance at
realizing her importance in my life (…)
It made me realize just how much she
means to me,” Ellen Ditton said.
Although Ellen Ditton was miles
away from home, she still sought Abbie
Ditton’s help from time to time. And as
all children will reluctantly agree, she
said, “I call her all the time for advice,
and even though I don’t always follow
the advice she gives, she always seems
to be right in the end.”
Hermiston Herald, File
Abbie Ditton, “Mom of the Year,” stands with her daughter, Ellen Ditton, in 1997.
Hermiston Herald, File
In 1972, self-taught artist Rodney Tash displayed some of his oil paintings.
50 YEARS AGO
May 18, 1972
When Rodney Tash fi nished
work at the Umatilla Army Depot, he
returned home, grabbed a brush and
pallet and began creating beautiful
paintings.
Tash was born in Heppner in 1919
and graduated from Arlington High
School in 1936. He served in the Navy
during World War II and the Korean
War, and continued military and civil-
ian government service for a total of
29 years.
Having never touched a canvas,
Tash bought some instructional books
and taught himself the tips and tricks
of oil painting. He soon became a
renowned local artist, winning numer-
ous blue ribbons in pastels and oils at
the Umatilla County Fair. His strokes
were described as “free of coarseness,
even those he does with a knife, …
which results in perfection of detail
enjoyable from any distance.”
After much practice, Tashs’ paint-
ings expanded from barns and old
buildings to include practically every-
thing — with his pets and the val-
ley their house overlooks serving as
inspiration.
75 YEARS AGO
May 22, 1947
Well, we have crickets. And lots
of them.
That was the message conveyed
to the public in search of volunteers
to help stop the infestation of Mor-
mon crickets throughout Eastern
Oregon. These pests pose a major
threat to crops and were estimated to
have occupied 500 square miles of
land within Morrow, Umatilla, Gil-
liam and Grant counties.
With female Mormon crickets
able to lay up to 200 eggs during
the spring, state and county aid had
been sought by city offi cials. Preven-
tion eff orts had already begun, with
crop-dusting and bait mixtures oper-
Hermiston History, File
Twenty-fi ve years ago, Bill Frost and Bill Mayberry fi nished painting the
Hermiston Pool just in time for summer.
ating on an 8-hour shift.
These little creatures received
considerable publicity for their pres-
ence and magnitude; they were fea-
tured in metropolitan newspapers,
on radio news broadcasts and news-
reel. Cameramen were rumored to
arrive shortly to catch the Mormon
crickets in action.
90 YEARS AGO
May 19, 1932
Believe it or not, there was once a
time when only 27 seniors graduated
from Hermiston High School.
The ceremony took place at the
Methodist church where Dean J.R.
Jewell, of Corvallis, delivered the
address. His speech was received
well by the audience, who even
claimed him to be one of the best
commencement speakers heard there
for years. At the ceremony, multiple
awards were presented to bring the
school year to an end and celebrate
the seniors for all their hard work.
Each year, the Hermiston Com-
mercial Club awarded a watch to one
student in the high school, based on
a point system involving scholar-
ships received and activities. Enda
Ott was the recipient of this coveted
prize, with a total of 104 points —
86 for scholastic ability and 18 for
activities.
James Neary had the honor of
having his name put on the “Lov-
ing Cup,” which was given to the
school by the class of 1928. The
main aspects taken into consider-
ation for this award were scholar-
ships, activities and student votes.
Neary was a prime candidate, having
been involved in activities and orga-
nizations such as torch honor society
for three years and president of the
student body. In addition, he played
football, basketball, baseball and
joined the tennis team his senior year.
BY THE WAY
Umatilla golf tournament scheduled Saturday, May 21
With good weather in the forecast, many golf lovers
should be teeing off this coming weekend. Some of those
golfers are planning to participate in the Conrad Skin-
ner Memorial Veteran’s Golf Tournament on Satur-
day, May 21. Registration starts at 8 a.m. Shotgun start is
at 9 a.m.
The event is a 4-person, 18-hole, modifi ed scramble. It
is at Big River Golf Course, 709 Willamette Ave., Uma-
tilla. Participants can bring a team, or they will be paired up.
Veterans can golf for free. There is a $100 fee for
non-veterans. Entry fee includes green fees, mulligan, tee
prizes, lunch and the prize fund. Carts are not included.
To register and/or pay online, visit conradskinnerveter.
wixsite.com/conradskinnerveteran. One also may reg-
ister for the tournament by mail at 709 Willamette Ave.,
Umatilla, OR 97882, or email megan@golfbigriver.com.
Call 541-922-3006 for more information.
Honorees are Chuck Wilcox, Tom Watson, Lyle
Brown, Dan Lopez and Roger Bounds.
• • •
Hermiston School District announced the selection
of new building administrators. Three teachers on special
assignment will serve as assistant principals next school year.
Current high school Dean of Students Melissa Doherty
will be a Hermiston High School assistant principal, as
will Andy Hall, a current secondary school instructional
coach.
Doherty was hired by Hermiston School District in 2014
as a second grade teacher. After working at the elementary
level for seven years, she moved to the secondary level this
year as dean.
Hall is in his sixth year with the district, serving all of
those years at the secondary level. A previous math teacher,
Hall became an instructional coach in 2019, where he leads
teachers to improve their student instruction and classroom
management.
Casey Arstein, also a current secondary instructional
coach, has been selected as the Armand Larive Middle
School assistant principal. Arstein is a physical education
teacher by trade; a position he held at Sandstone Middle
School from 2006 until fall 2021. Arstein is a 2001 Hermis-
ton High School graduate.
• • •
If you have a few extra dollars burning a hole in your
pocket, an upcoming event might be the thing you need. The
Spring Fling Shopping Extravaganza is at the Eastern
Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road,
Hermiston, Saturday, May 21, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Vendors
plan to sell furniture, crocheted goods, jewelry and more.
• • •
Maybe painting on a canvas just is not your thing? If
so, drop on by the Hermiston Public Library, 235 E.
Gladys Ave., for Teen Canvas Embroidery Art. Teens can
try embroidery on a canvas. Your friends at the library will
see you Monday, May 23, at 5 p.m. Supplies are available,
while they last.
• • •
There is a lot of buzz about an upcoming presentation at
the Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave. Bee-
keeper Ron Hendrickson is planning to speak on his trade
Thursday, May 19, 6-8 p.m. He intends to bring a live bee
display with him.
• • •
The Harkenrider Senior Activity Center menu for
Thursday, May 19, is spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and
dessert. The menu for Tuesday, May 24, is burgers and hot
dogs, potato salad, chips 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