The Hermiston School Board will decide how to fill its vacancy at the next school board meeting, after hearing pitches from applicants on Monday.

The board had five applicants to fill the position vacated by Jason Middleton after he resigned in September. Those applicants are Kris Lerten, Mark Millard, Brent Pitney, Trish Rossell and Mike Todryk.

Four candidates (Millard was absent) answered a series of questions from board members on Monday, ranging from their reasons for wanting to join the board, to what they believe the role of a superintendent should be. Several said they have children in the district and that prompted them to get more involved.

• • •

Don’t forget about the candidate forum tonight (Wednesday) hosted by the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce and KOHU & The Q. The forum goes from 5:30-7 p.m. in room 134/135 at the Hermiston campus of Blue Mountain Community College, 975 S.E. Columbia Drive. Umatilla County Board of Commissioners candidates Rick Pullen and incumbent George Murdock will participate, along with Hermiston City Council Ward 1 candidates Mark Gomolski and incumbent Lori Davis.

• • •

The Columbia Grange is hosting a fundraiser to help support community service projects, including giving dictionaries to third graders, Pet Rescue and the Hermiston Warming Station.

The event is Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the grange hall, 32339 Diagonal Blvd., Hermiston. It features an all-you-can-eat breakfast for $6, lunch for varying prices, and a flea market and craft sale. Also, people can rent vendor space for $8.

For more information, call Pat at 541-567-5706 or Clare at 541-278-0615.

• • •

Christmas came early for Gunner Olsen of Big River Golf Course in Umatilla. The Big River Men’s Club presented the course superintendent with a shiny new cup cutter and broken tee receptacles for each hole, said Megan Olsen, the course’s general manager.

Also, Megan reminds area golfers that 2019 annual memberships are now available. For those who get linked up prior to Thursday, Nov. 15, they will receive a discount. For more information, contact the pro shop at 541-922-3006, megan@golfbigriver.com or stop by the course at 709 Willamette Ave., Umatilla.

• • •

Marie Cain, dairy & livestock controller at Threemile Canyon Farms in Boardman, is among the 30 participants of the second class of REAL Oregon (Resource Education & Ag Leadership). A collaboration of industry and other groups from across the state, REAL Oregon is working to develop and support leaders within Oregon’s natural resource communities. In addition to networking opportunities and learning more about Oregon’s diversity, the program brings current and future leaders together from agriculture, fishing, and forestry for a series of sessions across the state — including Feb. 12-14 in Boardman.

“We are beginning to fulfill the vision of building a solid network of agriculture and natural resource leaders who will benefit the state for many years to come,” said Greg Addington, REAL Oregon executive director.

Class 2 starts in November and will graduate in March 2019. Recruitment of Class 3 begins shortly after that. For more information, contact 541-892-1409, addingtonconsulting@gmail.com or visit www.realoregon.net.

———

You can submit items for our weekly By The Way column by emailing your tips to editor@hermistonherald.com.