A2 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2022
LIGHTER SIDE
THREE MINUTES WITH...
HERMISTON HISTORY
Irrigon piano teacher shares
her passion for tickling ivories
25 YEARS AGO
JULY 29, 1997
Alex
Cooper
Umatilla
What are your favorite spots in your town (restaurants, parks,
etc.)?
Java Junkies, Starbucks, Walmart, lately the Hermiston Athletic Club,
Shiki.
What are your hobbies?
I grew up in Cleveland and follow the Browns. I coach basketball and
football. I also enjoy writing.
What are your favorite movies and books?
When I taught history, I read about the topics we covered, finding ex-
cellent books in the process. I was dragged to weird independent movies
as a kid; I still enjoy these, as well as science fiction films.
What is your job?
I am an employee of the InterMountain Education Service District,
working as document translator and Migrant Education Program Stu-
dent Success Coach.
What do you like about your work?
Translating requires a surprising level of creativity and judgment; I
enjoy the challenge. As success coach, I support students and families
holistically and over multiple school years. I also enjoy working on a
school newspaper in Umatilla, Viking Power! I have a great boss and
colleagues.
Can you tell me about your family?
Most of my family lives in Los Angeles. I am fortunate to have such a
supportive mom, dad, stepmom, brother and sister that are there for
me when I need them.
What are your goals?
I want to lose 10 pounds, be more effective in my job, be of better ser-
vice to others and have fun. More “wish” than “goal” is seeing the
Browns win the Super Bowl this year.
Even at the age of 71, Lavelle Partlow
could be found treating locals to some in-
credible piano playing.
Partlow first began her musical journey at
7 years old, singing solos for the local Bap-
tist church. By 10, she was introduced to the
piano and it soon became a major part of
her life.
“My mom and two sisters, Myrtle and
Delpha, and I walked two-and-a-half miles
to take lessons from Zepha Warner,” she said.
Since 1933, Partlow and her husband,
Al Partlow, had called Irrigon their home.
During that time, Partlow played the piano
for funerals, weddings, church services, at se-
nior centers and more.
Along with all that performing, Partlow
also gave piano lessons. They were quite
unique and flexible, too, in the sense that
the students were allowed to play what they
enjoyed, be it popular, classical, country or
whatever else. However, she still insisted they
learn music theory, chords and to read mu-
sic, as such skills would be crucial later on.
After nearly 70 years involved in some-
thing, one would think it would become tire-
some. But Partlow is a prime example that if
you find something you truly enjoy, you can
do it forever while maintaining the same ex-
citement discovered at the beginning.
Hermiston Herald, File
Twenty-five years ago, pianist Lavelle Partlow was all smiles as she played the piano during
lunch at Strokes Landing Senior Center in Irrigon.
90 YEARS AGO
Agency at Joliet, Illinois, for six months,
and then transferred to St. Louis to com-
plete his training. Honorably selected for
the new UAD assignment, he was trans-
ferred a week ago back to his home state.
While his plans to teach history did not
necessarily work out, Arthur was still able
to enjoy his passion, perhaps more so, by
playing a role in his country’s history.
JULY 28, 1932
50 YEARS AGO
75 YEARS AGO
Initially set on a career as an American
history teacher, 27-year-old James C. Ar-
thur found himself as the new chief of the
data processing division at the Umatilla
Army Depot.
Born and raised in Medford, Arthur at-
tended Southern Oregon College in 1967
where he earned a bachelor’s degree in so-
cial science in secondary education. After
funds for a local intern teaching program
ran dry, Arthur instead became a substi-
tute teacher and vocal music instructor for
the Medford Public Schools System during
the 1967-68 school year.
Then, in August of 1968, he took a civil
service entrance examination that altered
the direction of his life. In addition to
bringing contacts from federal recruiters,
Arthur was also offered intern training
in the data processing career field. He ac-
cepted the offer and entered military ser-
vice at the Army Procurement and Supply
No stranger to the saddle, though new to
the throne, Marian Andrews would lead as
queen of the 1947 Umatilla County Fair court.
Andrews, 19, had lived on a cattle ranch in
Buttercreek all her life. Naturally, she began
riding at a very young age and had become
quite skilled at the art. Soon she would have
the chance to display those skills to a large
audience during the Umatilla County Fair
and Pendleton Round-Up parades.
Described as “tall in the saddle” and
“shapely,” with golden brown hair and a
“winning” smile, Andrews would ride her
trusty dark sorrel, “Sonny,” at the head of the
parades.
The accompanying members of Andrews’
court, as announced by Pete Berg, the head
of the Hermiston Boosters Club in charge of
the selection, were Norma McCann of Mil-
ton-Freewater, Lois Brooks of Ordnance,
Frances Stevens of Stanfield and Georgia
Snead of Umatilla.
JULY 27, 1972
JULY 31, 1947
With Oregon wheat prices and sales
rather low, D.H. Nelson, a promi-
nent Pendleton farmer, advised Uma-
tilla County wheat farmers to consider
adopting an approach similar to the
“Dakota Plan.”
Nelson’s proposal would call to orga-
nize local wheat farmers in their holding
techniques, suggesting they utilize public
terminals rather than consigning wheat
to dealers. The drive behind this was
that consigning tended to reduce prices,
which does no good for the farmer or
economy overall.
Farm leaders shared their optimism
towards the plan, as they claimed bank-
ers also supported it. After all, the same
amount of wheat sold for 70 cents in the
Pacific Northwest was selling for a dollar
in the Dakotas. For all those concerned,
the general consensus was the current
wheat selling price would be ruinous to
the entire population.
Nelson discussed his proposal before
service club representatives, which turned
out to be quite a success, with new com-
mittees already forming to work with
farming organizations in regard to the or-
ganization movement.
█
McKenzie Rose, a junior at Echo High School, searched
Hermiston Herald archives to compile these article
summaries.
By The Way
Umatilla County Fair website offers discounts, more
As summer heats up, so is preparation for the Umatilla County
Fair. People are invited to get into the spirit of “Moo-ving Forward
Together!” during the Aug. 10-13 event.
To save a few bucks, purchase carnival wristbands in advance.
The presale, said Fair Manager Angie McNalley, features $7 off each
one-day unlimited rides wristband.
Don’t dally, the discount ends at noon on Aug. 9 via www.umatil-
lacountyfair.net or the fair office at Eastern Oregon Trade and Event
Center, 1705 E. Airport Road, Hermiston.
In addition, parking passes, fair admission and concert tickets
can be purchased online. Also to really be stylin’ check out the spe-
cial UCF swag — hats, T-shirts and hoodies can be ordered on the
website.
For up-to-date fair news, search www.facebook.com/umatilla-
countyfair. For questions, call 541-567-6121.
• • •
For a melon-sized smile, don’t forget that the Irrigon Watermelon
Festival is Saturday, July 30. The family-friendly event features a
full day of fun at Irrigon Marina Park. There is no admission charge.
And adults are invited to the Watermelon Festival After Party.
Live music with the Cory Peterson Band and the Wade Aylett Band
is featured during a parking lot beer garden at Rustic Truck Bar and
Grill, 100 W. Highway 730, Irrigon.
Pre-sale tickets are $15 or pay $20 at the gate. For more informa-
tion, call 541-922-4374 or search www.facebook.com/
TheRusticTruck.
• • •
Several local communities are offering Movies in the Park. The
free events feature a family-friendly movie with the flicks starting
around dusk. Upcoming events include:
Thursday, July 28: “Encanto” at Bard Park, Stanfield.
Friday, July 29: “Beethoven” at Butte Park, Hermiston.
Tuesday, Aug. 2: “The Wizard of Oz” at the Irrigon Event Plaza.
Friday, Aug. 5: “Uncharted” at Umatilla Marina Park.
People are encouraged to grab some snacks, and bring a blanket
or lawn chairs and enjoy a relaxed summer evening.
• • •
Free vintage comic books! Now that we have your attention, start
making plans to attend the second annual Library Comic Con.
After last summer’s inaugural comic convention, organizers are
gearing up for an even bigger and better event. Comic enthusiasts
of all ages are invited to attend Aug. 6, 2-4 p.m. at the Pendleton
Public Library, 502 S.W. Dorion Ave. Admission is free.
Activities include a costume contest, a green screen photo
booth, crafts and a one-shot roleplaying game. In addition, there
will be vendor booths — so bring some cash for a chance to pick
up some awesome comics or cool swag.
For more information, visit www.pendleton.or.us/library. To
inquire about vendor space, call Heather Cully, library assistant,
at 541-966-0380.
• • •
The Harkenrider Senior Activity Center menu for Thursday,
July 28, is reuben sandwich, coleslaw, Jello, chips and dessert.
The menu for Tuesday, Aug. 2, is chicken salad, garlic bread,
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.
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.
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