From the McNary Dam Newsletter, “The Sage Hen,” circa 1951. The newsletter describes past activities of the McNary Recreation Association
| Just Reminiscin‘
(By Ernie Rosholt, outgoing President of the McNary Recreation Association) I don’t know where Bob Barker got his sunburn, such a delicate pink, too, or when we had these laboratory walls tinted but everything else seems to have a pink hue this morning, too. Bob doesn’t look so hot without his glasses either – says he can’t get them to reach from his eyes to his ears this morning, (we should have taken care of this before the party). Too bad Bob Shick isn’t around to get in on this “bull session” as he would get a dig kick out of digging into the past activities of the McNary Recreation Association; such as the time when the only source of income was one coke machine with Harvey Warner as custodian, (In addition he handled milk, cream, eggs and cheese, which netted a profit of $134.72 in two years), or the time when the late John Allison compiled the town management manual from which our authority to organize was granted, I believe that was July 1947. A lot of you may remember the first party held at the Civic Recreation Center in Hermiston, on February 17, 1948, which consisted of a Pot Luck dinner and “other things” or the first picnic at Ukiah in 1948. From these activities, it was found that we all got a kick out of getting together and letting our hair down a bit; and also the need of an organized group. Bob Barker invited everyone interested in such an organization to his home in Hermiston on January 31, 1949. It was at this meeting when yours truly entered the picture. Bob Shick was carrying the ball those days, and also carrying the $134.72 which was turned over to the first Board of Directors elected in March 1949, consisting of Mrs. John Allison, Bob Shick, Bob Barker, Al Davis, Paul Nelson, Phil Lane, Orvis Johnson and myself, with two contractors employees John “Hard Rock” Wilson and Mrs. Barney Lillie. Al Davis was elected President and Mrs. Allison, Secretary-Treasurer. In those days it was folly to be late to a meeting of the Board as I found out when Al Davis resigned in April; when I arrived I found that I had been handed the job of President Many of you probably remember the next couple of weeks when Mrs. Paul Nelson won the contest for a name for our publication, the “Sage Hen” or when a bevy of beautiful gals met each of the ferries at change of shifts trying to sell tickets for the first dance to be held in McNary. If you don’t remember the gals, you probably do remember the dance as everyone must have been there. That was the dance held May 21, 1949, in the nearly completed store building at McNary which included the present club rooms. |
store building. The present store building. There were about 500 in attendance with people dressed all the way from “bib and tuckers” to work clothes. We didn’t have a liquor license in those days and few of us knew the local laws. That was the time that Bob Barker kept the liquor inspector outside because he didn’t have a ticket and when told that everybody was going to be “taken in” Bob’s remark was, You’ve sure got your work cut out for ya – there’s 500 happy people in there.” Anyway, after watching the beautiful sunrise and remarking on the brightness of the morning star, the final tally was completed and showed a profit of $420.54 even after paying 250.00 to the Portland Orchestra.
From then on, the ball started rolling, but the lack of a place to hold our parties was a considerable drawback few of the parties held at the Plamor paid their own way and it wasn’t until June 24, 1950 that we had a place that we could call our own. Through the fine cooperation of our new Resident Engineer Sam Neff, and his energetic enthusiasm to make McNary a better place to live, even to the point of sticking his neck out a few times, our new club rooms were made a reality. I remember Bob Shick and myself walking through the Warehouse in Pasco trying to find suitable equipment for the club rooms, when we picked up the tile that now covers the floor, the problem of getting it laid, building the bar, sewing the drapes, making lamp shades, etc. Mrs. Calverly, my wife, Ken Payne and many others are due considerable credit in decorating the club rooms and my job of wall-papering is still there too. All of these problems and many other seemed at that time insurmountable, but looking back it seems as though it was as smooth as honey and roses and all worth while. The climax of these long hours was the “Grand Opening Dance” when we had another imported orchestra and the “Andrew Sisters.” That was the party that John Morton promised us concrete for the tennis courts. We are now a going concern with the tennis courts poured; 3 playgrounds for the children, a successful well-equipped baseball club, a well organized and equipped “Pee-Wee” soft ball league, an active teen-age group, a successful Bingo nite each week and many other activities for benefit of all of us, plus a considerable bank account. I would like to thank the outgoing Board of Directors and all of you for your fine cooperation, suggestions and support in helping me guide the activities of the McNary Recreation Association during the past 20 months, and ask that you give the New Board of Directors, headed by Ed Wainwright, your continued support during the next year. |
