PROSSER
Record-Bulletin Benton County Seat
VOLUME CXXII, NO. 25
PROSSER, WASHINGTON
Glenda Schmidt is Grand Marshall for States Day 2014 By Victoria Walker
“I just can’t believe it because I have been driving the Grand Marshalls in the parades in Prosser for about 12 years. It isn’t me they want it is the car,” says Glenda Schmidt. “I am not an original Prosserite, so I am surprised they want me.” Schmidt has been in Prosser since 1978. She came to Prosser because she worked at the County Courthouse as an appraiser. Originally from West Richland she was born in Hanford at Kadlec which, at the time, was a Kwansit hut. “Everything was portable,” said Schmidt. She was a Richland High Bomber. Schmidt has two children; a son, Matt Brown, who will drive her in the parade and a daughter, Charlene Brown Ryan, who lives in Battleground, WA. “She (Charlene) was Miss Prosser in 1984 (or Jr. Miss),” says Schmidt. “Prosser has been really good to me’” said Schmidt. “I met my husband Herb Schmidt here. He was the mayor of Prosser for seven years and then on the City Council for seven years after that. He was a school teacher for 30 years at the junior and senior high school. He started teaching right out of college. He was one of the Iron Triad,” said Schmidt. “I think this is how it started, when Herb was running for council he would drive Mayor
Glenda Schmidt
Hogue in the parade in the Mustang, then when Herb became Mayor, Marvin Ward would drive Herb in the parade but just in election years, then I drove Marvin Ward when he was running for a Mayor, then I ran for City Council and Matt, drove me. In 1990 Schmidt ran for County Assessor and lost, “So I quit the county and became a real estate appraiser-sole proprietor in Kennewick,” says Schmidt. “Herb passed away in 2002 and I brought the business home until 2006. Schmidt is a member of Beta Sigma Phi (for women who couldn’t go to college). “It is See MARSHALL on page 7
The 15th Annual A Night Out, Denim & Diamonds Saturday, Sept. 6 Prosser - Every September something special happens in Prosser, and it is always a “dazzling” time of the year in town. “A Night Out”® Committee and the PMH Foundation are pleased to announce that once again they will host the 15th Annual “A Night Out” benefit auction and dinner on Sept. 6 at the Yellow Rose Nursery and Display Gardens. This is one of Washington Wine Country’s premier charity events, hosting over 450 guests from across the Northwest. Last year’s event was a huge success because of people like you who gave generously of their finances, products, services and time. This Washington Wine Country Dinner & Auction is held annually on the Saturday after Labor Day. Join us at our Wine Country Gala reception and Silent Auction along with award winning wineries, NW Micro Breweries,
& Hors d’oeuvres in the stunning display gardens of the Yellow Rose Nursery. This year’s gourmet dinner will be served while auctioneer, John Topp, presents this year’s Live Auction. After dinner join us for dancing until 11pm with DJ music by Dan Burns 3D Productions. Reservations will be accepted in the order of return receipt. All seating will be assigned so please let us know with whom you wish to be seated. Friendship tables for eight are $1,200, Couples for $200.00 and Individual seats are $100.00, Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted. To reserve you tickets you may call our message line at 509-788-6042 or on line at PMHFoundation.com Show your support for local quality healthcare by donating a Live or Silent Auction item.
Labor Day deadlines
SPORTS - see pg. 9
Football starts the season on the grid-iron us.
Friday night lights will soon be upon Starting last Wednesday, the Prosser ....
75
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AUGUST 27, 2014
WWW.RECORDBULLETIN.COM
Cowgirls don’t cry By Victoria Walker
The sale of the lamb began after a prayer. “We prayed that this sale would be successful because Ms. Trump is such a key component to our chapter. She’s special to us and we would like to do something little, even though she’s done so much for our chapter,” said Lacey Desserault. Two Prosser FFA members, Tye Taylor and Lacey Desserault, brought an extra lamb to the Yakima Valley Fair to use the money from its sale to help with the medical expenses of Denine Trump, their FFA advisor, who is being treated for breast cancer. Tye then delivered a heartfelt speech capturing the audience and buyers attention, explaining to them how important Miss Trump has been to all of her Ag students and Prosser FFA. Tye went on to tell the audience how hard it must be financially to battle cancer. “We would like to help lift some of the burden off of her shoulders, it’s time we sacrificed a little for someone who does so much.” Sandra Desserault, mother to Lacey said, “Lacey and Tye had approached us about wanting to do something special for their Ag teacher / FFA Advisor, Denine Trump, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer.” “It broke my heart, honestly. We found out Ms. Trump was sick in the spring. She gathered each of her classes in a circle and told us some of what was going to go on in the future. It hit everybody pretty hard,” said Lacey.
Photo courtesy of Sandra Desserault
Tye Taylor, Denine Trump and Lacey Desserault at the fair before the auction.
“I was very confused and not sure how to feel, or what I could do to help,” said Tye. After a little thought the Desserault’s agreed to give the kids a fair lamb (they raise sheep/ lambs) to raise and sell at the Yakima Valley Jr Fair Market Stock Sale. At the July meeting for FFA, Tye and Lacey went to the fair board meeting and announced that they wanted to do this for
Ms. Trump, who wasn’t at the meeting that night. The answer was an immediate yes from all of the members. The board was very open and willing to help “keep it a secret”. We had no clue what to expect when it comes to the amount we were going to make. On that day, between the last market lamb to sell and before the beef sold, Lacey brought out the lamb, set him up and the sale
began. By the end of the sale the lamb had sold 10 times, as each purchaser, one after the other, donated the animal back to the young owners. In less than 20 minutes this lamb sold for $24,000 with all of the proceeds going to FFA Advisor, Miss Trump. “Our hopes and goal was to generate maybe $1,000 to $2,000. See COWGIRLS on page 7
Fallen Soldiers Banner Project By Victoria Walker
Shelly Best decided she would be the one to carry her husband’s banner for the States Day Parade. The banners represent the fallen heroes from the recent Iraq and Afghanistan wars from Washington State. “I had heard about the banners from a gal who went to a Wenatchee parade and said how cool it would be to get the banners here in Prosser,” said Best. Best made the phone call to Kim Cole in Spokane and it just so happens the banners were available. Cole is a Gold Star Mother. Gold Star Mothers were formed in the United States shortly after World War I to provide support for mothers who lost sons or daughters in the war. Cole started the banner project in 2009, and she has had the help of the Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW, Department of Washington to get all the banners made. “My husband, Marvin Best was killed on night patrol on June 20, 2004. He was a career Marine and was killed by an IED (road side bomb). He guarded key roadways for Iraq civilians. For the ten year anniversary of his death, I thought this would be a way to honor him.
The Prosser Record-Bulletin would like to wish you and your families a happy and safe Labor Day holiday. The Record-Bulletin office will be closed for Labor Day, Sept. 1. For editorial content in the Sept. 3 edition of the paper, the absolute deadline will be Friday, Aug. 29 at noon. Display ad sales deadline is Thursday Aug. 28 at 5 p.m., classified word ad deadline is Thursday, Aug. 28 at 5 p.m., and too late to classify deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 10 a.m.
This community took care of us when he passed away so this is for the community too,” said Best. “It puts things in a whole different perspective.” “We are both from Prosser,” said Best. “The ten year anniversary has been tough for some reason.” “The Fallen hero banner project was started in September 2007 after we lost our son in Iraq to bring honor and remembrance to our fallen heroes,” said Cole. The project makes a banner for each of the fallen soldiers in Washington State who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. The banners memorialize the soldiers
who gave the ultimate sacrifice to the country. The banners are carried in parades and displayed at venues across the state. The banners project has worked with the Army from Fort Lewis, the Navy from NAS Whidbey Island and the Naval Base Kitsap to have the banners carried with honor by their brothers and sisters in arms. The banners are 2.5 x 3.5 feet and include the photo, rack and branch of military date of birth and death and their hometown. “I have talked with people who have seen the banners and they say they are amazed at the impact the banners
have in person. I haven’t seen them in person yet. It will be interesting,” said Best. Alaska Airlines will fly the banners to their destinations within the state without charge. The banners for the States Day Parade will come to Prosser from Spokane. Anyone who wants to carry a banner can do so. Fred Carroll is helping to arrange for banner carriers. Since the project started, the banners have been displayed in 100+ parades and events around Washington State. For more information or to ask about banners, email; mkc1220@ msn.com
Banners carried by volunteers and family members of fallen soldiers in a parade.
COMMUNITY - see pg. 2 Depot Square Marketplace
Do you have any old junk that you just know is worth some money or items you don’t want anymore? Are you looking for a place to go on the weekend? Look no further!!! Prosser Marketplace will be the....
FORUM - see pg. 4 Doc Hastings
I am proud to represent one of the most diverse agricultural regions in the world. From apples to cherries, potatoes to asparagus, and beef to wheat – our region...
Photo courtesy of Kim Cole