A2 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022
LIGHTER SIDE
THREE MINUTES WITH...
HERMISTON HISTORY
Meals on Wheels in August 1997
delivers food and friendship
25 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 2, 1997
Robert Guerrero
Hermiston
Who are you and what do you do?
Robert Guerrero, lieutenant supervising the Investigations section at
the Hermiston Police Department, and assisting Umatilla County Fire
District No. 1 as a fire investigator.
Where did you grow up? When did you come to Hermiston?
I was raised in Boise, Twin Falls and Lewiston, Idaho, until high school
when my family moved to Milton-Freewater. Following high school, I
joined the U.S. Army and served eight years active, being stationed at
Fort Carson, Colorado, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Berlin and Pan-
ama. I returned to the area in 1999, and served two years in the Or-
egon Army National Guard and began my law enforcement career. I
moved to Hermiston in 2014 after having been employed as a police
officer at the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
and Milton-Freewater Police Department.
What are a few of your hobbies?
I enjoy extended white water rafting trips, motorcycling and cycling.
How do you spend your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my family, and am currently furthering my
education.
How would you describe yourself?
I would consider myself a go-getter, and dedicated to those I am re-
sponsible for.
What is something that you’re passionate about?
I am passionate about honesty and truth, even when they may not be
popular.
What are a few of your proudest accomplishments (can be per-
sonal or professional)?
Having raised children throughout my career, through crazy hours,
shifts and absences, seeing them succeed in life probably tops any other
accomplishments.
What do you like most about the community you live in?
One of the most important things to me about Hermiston is the commu-
nity’s support for the children and their education. I believe that is a great
measure for any community and Hermiston leads the way in that regard.
When Darlene and Gary Riesland would
come to the Hermiston Senior Center, they
delivered much more than just hot meals.
For five years, the Rieslands volunteered
with the local Meals on Wheels program.
Funded by the Area Agency on Aging, a
branch of the Community Action Program
of East Central Oregon, the meals came at
the cost of a mere two dollars. Originally
only available to those who were classified
as low-income, the program was expanded
to all seniors with the only requirement be-
ing that the senior must be homebound.
Each Thursday and Friday, the Rieslands
would deliver meals, along with compas-
sion, to residents through the Hermiston
Senior Center.
Hermiston Herald, File
“It helps if you’re alone; you don’t cook
Darlene and Gary Riesland in August 1997 deliver a hot meal with a side of friendship to
much,” Doris Swearingen said of its bene-
84-year-old Doris Swearingen as part of Meals on Wheels through the Hermiston Senior Center.
fits. “It gives you something different.”
Leila Leech, Hermiston Nutritional Pro-
gram manager, added that “some are hard
ton-Freewater Transient Aid.
church basement for additional class-
of hearing and some have a hard time eat-
Bud Draper, Marvin John’s wife, Fred
room space.
ing, some don’t like to eat with others.”
McIntyre, Jack Weemgoff, Rev. Har-
90 YEARS AGO
The Rieslands thoroughly enjoyed vol-
old McArthur and Rich Carson were
SEPT. 1, 1932
unteering, which gave them the oppor-
also serving as chairs on the committee
tunity to assist and connect with the se-
and would accompany Earnheart in his
A famous French singer, an American
niors. “They’re not just customers,” Gary
UGN endeavors.
war general and several high-ranking in-
Riesland said, “they’re our friends.”
75 YEARS AGO
dividuals were among those planning to
50 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 4, 1947
attend the State American Legion Conven-
AUG. 31, 1972
tion in Portland in September.
With a huge influx of enrollment and
Maurice Chevalier was asked by the
Named the new chairman of the United only one elementary school, Hermiston
French government to attend the conven-
Good Neighbors in Hermiston, Richard
realized it was about time to create addi-
tion for the reunion of the “Lafayette Esca-
Earnheart got right to work and already
tional facilities to house their students.
drille.” The French Embassy at Washing-
began lining up committees for the up-
Both the elementary and high school
ton, D.C., also notified legion officials that
the renowned French soldier, M. Rossingol,
coming fund drive.
received a large boost in student figures.
would attend the convention as well.
The UGN drive would be scheduled to
The high school count increased by 58
As if foreign fame was not enough,
begin around the same time in most parts
pupils, totaling 279. The biggest class
Gen. John J. Pershing would be present
of Umatilla County. “We’ll have quite an
were the freshmen, with 88 students,
too. To add to the American pride, Rear
organization,” Earnheart said, adding that
while the other three classes were all
Adm. Richard H. Leigh would be making a
there would be eight separate divisions in
around the mid-60s in population.
grand entrance by arriving in command of
the Hermiston committee with the goal of
The elementary school continued its
the flagship Omaha, accompanied by the
reaching the whole community.
growth trend, with a combined 1,054
cruiser Concord. Other war officials who
“A lot more businesses should look into
students. This immense turnout was 104
would make their way over to Portland
the payroll deduction system of giving
students greater than the year before and
included Wartime Secretary of the Navy
to UGN,” Earbheart said. He also added
189 from two years prior.
Josephus Daniels and Secretary of War Pat-
that Hermiston’s goal would be higher
Superintendent W.H. Bloom reported
than the previous year. Among the dif-
that the unexpected increase necessitated rick J. Hurley.
Even the mayors of Detroit and Bos-
ferent agencies included in the program’s
the second grade class, taught by Kather-
budget were American Red Cross, Blue
ine Christensen, to function in the Meth- ton would be present at the convention,
as guests of the Legion National Cmdr.
Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America, odist Church basement.
Henry L. Stevens.
Eastern Oregon Alcoholism Foundation,
Now with six elementary schools —
McKenzie Rose, a junior at Echo High School,
Milton-Freewater Camp Fire Girls, Ore-
the newest, Loma Vista Elementary
searched Hermiston Herald archives to compile
gon United Appeal, Salvation Army and
School opened this week — it would be
these article summaries.
Hermiston, Stanfield, Pendleton and Mil-
quite a shock if the district had to use a
█
By The Way
Governor’s luncheon rides into region
Giddy up, it’s almost time for the Eastern Oregon Women’s Coa-
lition Annual Round-Up Governor’s Luncheon. The event features
special speaker Katy Coba, the state’s chief operating officer and di-
rector of administrative services, and special guests Happy Canyon
princesses, Samantha Crain-Allen and Marley Johnson.
The luncheon is Friday, Sept. 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — after the
Westward Ho! Parade — at Blue Mountain Community College,
2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton. For more information, visit
www.facebook.com/eowc.biz. RSVP to Bobby Levy at 541-561-
5557 or bobby@eowc.biz.
• • •
If you plan on relaxing with a good book over Labor Day week-
end, be sure to check out books early. The Hermiston Public Library
will be closed Sept. 3-5. For more information, search www.hermis-
ton.or.us/library or call 541-567-2882.
• • •
With fall just around the corner, the Hermiston Harvest Bazaar
is plowing into town. In addition to marking your calendars for Oct.
1, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hermiston Community Center, 415 S.
Highway 395, organizers are seeking local artists and vendors.
Local artisans or craftspeople can get a jumpstart on the holiday
bazaar season selling their wares. Coordinated by Hermiston Parks
& Recreation, space options include one table with two chairs ($40)
or two tables and two chairs for ($80).
The registration deadline is Sept. 23, However, don’t dally as lim-
ited space is available. To register, call Diana at 541-667-5014.
• • •
The Hermiston Downtown District is preparing to rake in a bar-
rel of fun on Festival Street with beer/wine tasting, food and live
music. It might seem a bit deja vu — but why not? The Cork & Bar-
rel event held in June was such a big hit, it’s time to do it again.
The one-night adult festival is Oct. 1, 5-10 p.m. Additional details,
including ticket availability, will be announced. For more informa-
tion, search www.facebook.com/Hermistondowntown or call 541-
289-1112.
• • •
For those needing to do some fall cleaning, Hermiston Parks &
Recreation has the perfect event for you. A Community Yard Sale is
Oct. 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot at the Hermiston Commu-
nity Center, 415 S. Highway 395.
Items for yard sale/garage sales — no vendors, home business
products or bazaar items.
The registration fee of $5 is due by Oct. 1. For more information
or to register, visit bit.ly/hermistonrecreation. For questions, call
541-667-5018.
• • •
The Harkenrider Senior Activity Center menu for Thursday,
Sept. 1, is sloppy joe, macaroni salad, fruit and dessert. The menu
for Tuesday, Sept. 6, is chicken cordon bleu, baked potato, vegeta-
bles 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 Tues-
days 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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