25 YEARS AGO

Dec. 29, 1998

Some readers may recall the story of a Romanian boy who traveled to Oregon in September for hip surgery. Arrangements for Alex Girtonea, 11, were made through Heart for Romania, a humanitarian program run by Hermiston’s Dave and Jean Conklin.

Alex stayed in Adams with foster parents Cliff and Micki Murray while awaiting the Nov. 3 surgery at Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland. Alex’s father, Vasile Girtonea, arrived Nov. 1 and stayed with his son throughout the surgery and six-week physical therapy. The Girtoneas passed the recovery time by exploring Portland via wheelchair.

Vasile Girtonea said it felt like home. Also, he was impressed with the American medical personnel.

“I never met so many nice doctors and nurses and people at the hospitals in Romania,” he said.

The Ronald McDonald House in southeast Portland even surprised the young boy with Christmas gifts.

Alex was scheduled to have an X-ray on Jan. 7, 1999, which would determine if he could return home then or if he would have to wait until February.

50 YEARS AGO

Dec. 27, 1973

After months of preparation, plans were finalized for the Oregon Potato Growers annual conference. The event was scheduled for Jan. 16-18, 1974, in Hermiston, and expected to attract potato growers from at least four states.

The conference would feature several ladies’ programs, banquet arrangements and commercial exhibits. One of the major events of the itinerary was a luncheon at Catholic Parish Hall, which would feature Sue Whittier presenting a speech. Whittier was the home economist for the National Potato Promotion Board, and had formerly been the editor of Good Housekeeping magazine.

Just in case folks had not filled up at the luncheon, there would be a banquet in the Eagles Hall that same evening with Ron Deutsch as the guest speaker. Deutsch was the nutritional consultant of the National Potato Promotion Board and author of “Nuts Among the Berries.”

For the final day, conference attendees would travel from conventions and banquet halls to tour developing potato farms and industries.

With all 50 commercial exhibits occupied and limited banquet seating, those interested in attending were advised to pre-register and obtain tickets before they ran out.

75 YEARS AGO

Dec. 20, 1948

Secretary of State Earl T. Newbry’s holiday message to the masses this year was to prevent drunk driving fatalities during the winter season.

“It is our great American custom to mar our holiday celebrations with totally unnecessary traffic tragedies,” he declared. “The drinking driver is always a menace, and he tops the list during the New Year holiday.”

The main culprit behind this issue, Newbry said, is that some motorists refuse to accept the fact that even a small amount of alcohol can impair driving abilities. The one who claims they have “only had a few,” he said, is far more dangerous than the fully drunk.

After laying down the facts, Newbry urged celebrants to practice responsibility during the holidays and refrain from driving if alcohol was involved.

“One sip is enough to destroy a life, which no amount of future sobriety will ever bring back,” Newbry said.

90 YEARS AGO

Dec. 28, 1933

Local Postmaster J.H. Stillings honed the skills of a detective and identified the rightful owners of three unattended savings accounts.

Nearly 18 years prior, Peyton T. Boon had established postal savings accounts for Virginia K., John P. and Grace Alice Boon. Since no interest had been collected during this time, Stillings reasoned their existence was unknown.

To locate the rightful account holders, Stillings did some research on Boon family history. Starting with Grace Alice, he found that she and her mother had died in a fire in 1916 while living in Hermiston’s Minnehaha district.

Stillings then focused on Virginia Boon, who had moved to Oklahoma City and assumed the last name of Casady through marriage. Thanks to Mrs. W.A. Hineline, he was able to obtain her address and sent her a letter.

“It was indeed a surprise to receive word of the postal savings accounts,” she wrote him back. “Hearing about them now makes it seem like they were a Christmas present from mother and daddy.”

Casady then provided her brother’s address, as they planned to split Grace Alice’s account.

In closing her letter, she expressed profound gratitude to Stillings’ efforts. Casady said if she ever traveled to Hermiston, she would thank him in person.