WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022
2
LIGHTER SIDE
THREE MINUTES WITH...
HERMISTON HISTORY
Overton planned release of
second book 25 years ago
25 YEARS AGO
JUNE 10, 1997
Katie Sappington
Umatilla
Can you tell me about your new business?
I’ve been working for Java Junkies, itself, for seven years. Just last
month, at the beginning of May, I went and bought part of the fran-
chise, so now I own Irrigon Java Junkies. We’re only about a month in,
and so far, so good. It’s definitely a new adventure, but I’ve been work-
ing there a long time.
What do you like about the company?
I love everything, honestly. They’re great people, the owners. The orig-
inal owners are amazing people. I love what I do, making coffees and
giving customer service. The customers are my favorite part.
What’s the address?
520 E. Highway 730, Irrigon.
Do you like coffee?
Yes, I do. That was one main reason for the job in the beginning, seven
years ago.
How many cups of coffee do you have every day?
I try to limit myself to one, but sometimes it’s two, depending on the
day.
Is there a special flavor?
My favorite is just a white chocolate americano with cream, but some-
times I get a little adventurous with some of our menu options. The
most popular one right now is the Ana Bear. That’s really good. Extra
sweet. But I try to keep it simple. I don’t like it very sweet. It has to be
simple.
Is there anything that distinguishes your Java Junkies from oth-
ers?
Not really. We kind of keep it the same. I know that customers have
their favorite barista. A lot of my customers have been coming to me
for the seven years that they have known me, so they kind of just stick
to wherever I’m at. Now, that just happens to be in Irrigon.
What do you think of Irrigon?
I love it. It’s a small-town community. I love that we’re well known here,
because the town is not very big.
How long have you lived in Umatilla?
I’ve lived in Umatilla for the last three years. The first four, I was living
in Irrigon. I’ve only been in the area for seven years.
Where did you live before that?
I was born and raised in Central Oregon. I lived in Sisters, Oregon, for
most of my life. And then, before I moved here, I was in Redmond.
What do you like about this area?
I like the farm-country living. I’m not a city person, and Redmond and
Bend got way too large. So having a small city, in Umatilla and Irrigon,
that really struck my attention to come here.
Do you have any other hobbies?
I like to go to the mountains with my boyfriend. We play in the
snow. In the summer, we go camping.
If you weren’t drinking coffee at Java Junkies, what would you
choose to drink?
My go-to is Mountain Dew and water. There’s also the occasional
beer on the weekends, which is nice when it’s sunny outside.
Local western enthusiast Joice Overton’s
first book, “Cowboy Bits and Spurs,” was a
huge success, and she pleased many by an-
nouncing a second one was on the way.
Overton first expressed her passion for
western history as a country-western song-
writer and lyricist in 1987. In the early
1990s, her hit song “If It’s Okay for Me to
Cry” even reached number three among
Europe’s top-listed country songs.
After seven years in music, she
switched to writing greeting cards for
Leaning Tree, during which time she did
research for her first book. “Cowboy Bits
and Spurs” was soon published in Febru-
ary of 1997. Her second book, “Cowboy
Equipment,” was scheduled to come out
in 1998.
A significant aspect of the book’s suc-
cess was the value guide under each photo.
This special feature gave collectors a price
to compare and refer to, which she deter-
mined by attending numerous auctions.
The Hermiston Book Store had already
sold several copies of “Cowboy Bits and
Spurs” and planned to purchase more for
an upcoming signing.
50 YEARS AGO
JUNE 8, 1972
After he was “encouraged to such an ex-
tent,” retired Umatilla County Deputy Sam
Sellers decided to run for the County Sher-
iff position in the November elections.
Sellers was a Hermiston resident since
1946 and became a deputy with the sher-
iff’s office in the late 1950s. After roughly
ten years operating in the western portion
of the county, he retired.
Prompted by vast encouragement, Sell-
ers began collecting signatures for a peti-
tion that would allow him to enter the race
on the independent ticket. His great ad-
miration for the previous county sheriff of
25 years, Roy Johnson, who had died just
that week, also motivated Sellers to run.
He wanted to keep Johnson’s program and
style alive, he said.
“I do not feel drastic changes should be
made now,” he added.
75 YEARS AGO
Hermiston Herald, File
JUNE 12, 1947
Joice Overton’s collection of rare cowboy bits and bridles was on display 25 years ago.
After over five years, and much to can-
ners’ delight, sugar rations were lifted on
June 11, 1947.
Agricultural Secretary Clinton P. An-
derson said that he had planned to wait
until July to lift the sugar ration, but mass
resistance from southern housewives, who
argued that July would be too late for can-
ning, convinced him otherwise.
In announcing the awaited news, he
said, “We decided to remove rationing
now and give both southern and northern
housewives a chance to do some canning.”
The ration removal was a direct result
of 350,000 tons of sugar having been de-
livered to the U.S. and the knowledge that
an additional 200,000 tons stored in Java
during the war would soon be on their way.
When asked if this sudden action would
cause a run on sugar, Anderson disagreed,
claiming that he felt people would use their
coupons as they become effective. In addi-
tion, price controls and rationing to indus-
trial users would remain to ensure a swift
economic transition.
90 YEARS AGO
JUNE 9, 1932
Deputy Sheriff B.J. Nation and Herm-
iston Police Officer H.A. Pankow had an
action-packed Thursday, having spent
much of the day on the trail of three run-
away criminals.
The men were caught in the act of
breaking into the Union Pacific toolhouse
Wednesday night. Nation arrived quickly
on the scene, but a train prevented him
from capturing and obtaining a definite
description of the fugitives. Later, one of
the three were routed out and captured.
The other two, however, had successfully
escaped.
A Chevrolet car was found parked near
the scene and contained stolen feed, 25
gallons of gas and oil, two guns, clothing,
tools, multiple license plates and food.
This car was believed to have been used
by the thieves. The license plate was used
to trace the car to the original owner, an
Eastern Oregon resident, from whom it
was stolen.
Though they were without many leads,
Nation was optimistic the burglars had not
gone far and were still in the vicinity. While
that was comforting news for Nation and
his staff.
█
McKenzie Rose, a sophomore at Echo High School,
searched Hermiston Herald archives to compile these
article summaries.
By The Way
Hermiston library offers free books for community read
The Hermiston Public Library is providing free copies of Jane
Kirkpatrick‘s 2021 novel, “The Healing of Natalie Curtis.” In addi-
tion, electronic access is available via the Library2Go app.
The historical fiction publication has been selected as the li-
brary’s One Book, One Path Community Read. Kirkpatrick will dis-
cuss her writing process and read from the book July 14, 6 p.m. at
the library, 235 E. Gladys Ave.
An award-winning author and speaker from Central Oregon,
Kirkpatrick has penned more than three dozen fiction and nonfic-
tion books — many based on the lives of historical figures.
For questions, call the library at 541-567-2882. Also, watch for
an article about the author and the program later this month in the
Hermiston Herald.
• • •
Speaking of free, the Hermiston Cultural Awareness Coalition is
firing up the barbie for a Juneteenth Celebration. Mark your cal-
endars for the event, which is June 18, 4-8 p.m. at McKenzie Park,
Hermiston.
In addition to free food, music and kids activities, the celebration
will highlight the importance and significance of Juneteenth —
June 19, 1865 — which was designated as a federal holiday in 2021.
It commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
Read a full story about the event in the June 15 edition of the
Hermiston Herald. For more information, visit www.facebook.
com/hcac2000.
• • •
People are invited to head to Pendleton for several events planned
to celebrate Pride Month.
Kicking off the fun is Let ‘Er Drag, featuring talent from Pendleton
and the Tri-Cities. It is Friday, June 10 at Electric Sundown, 14 S.E.
Third St. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the drag show starts at 8 p.m.
Those ages 18-20 are welcome from 7-9 p.m., and the 21 and
older crowd can party until midnight. Full bar service is avail-
able. Tickets are $15 at the door or $10 if purchased in advance via
https://pflag.pendletontickets.com.
A Pride Parade is Saturday, June 11, 11:30 a.m. beginning at
Brownfield Park, 12 S. Main St. In addition, vendor and informa-
tion booths will run from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Museum Park,
108 S.W. Frazer Ave. for more information, search www.facebook.
com/up.pride.50.
priorities
A hundred years from now it will not matter what My bank account
A hundred years from now
it will not matter what my
bank account was, the sort
of house I lived in, or the
kind of car I drove... but
the world may be different
because I was important in
the Life of a Child.
• • •
The 2022 season is gearing up at the Hermiston Raceway. Be
sure to take a quick look at the current Go! Magazine, which is in-
serted in this edition of the Hermiston Herald.
It provides details on racing action that revs up Father’s Day
weekend. Unfortunately, because of the magazine’s print schedule,
it also includes information about racing originally scheduled for
Saturday, June 11 — that event has been canceled. For more infor-
mation, visit www.hermistonraceway.com or search www.facebook.
com/hermistonraceway.
• • •
The Harkenrider Senior Activity Center menu for Thursday,
June 9, is lasagna, green salad, garlic bread and dessert. The menu for
Tuesday, June 14, is sloppy Joes, macaroni 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.
%
TBONES
OFF
E.O.M.S.
15
WITH COUPON
Expires June 15th
EASTERN OREGON MEATS
541-567-2011
253 W. Hermiston Ave., Hermiston
easternoregonmobileslaughter.com