Holiday season brings happiness, good cheer

Thursday, December 15, 2011 

By TAMMY MALGESINI
East Oregonian 

I love the holiday season. However, I’m always intrigued at how people respond to the the hustle and bustle — some attack shopping with vigor, while others put aside differences and offer words of good cheer.

A recent example of the latter occurred during the East Oregonian Christmas party. After having to miss last year’s gala event, I was looking forward to kicking back with some of my Pendleton colleagues during our Dec. 6 gathering at Hamley Slickfork Saloon.

I donned my festive New York Yankees Santa hat and climbed aboard fellow reporter Anna Willard’s red GMC Canyon pickup — not exactly Santa’s sleigh, but we flew there just in time for tasty treats, the EO’s version of Family Feud (Picture it: Managing Editor Skip Nichols in the role of Richard Dawson) and a silly White Elephant game.

When we arrived, EO Publisher Tom Brown greeted me with a hello and a handshake.

“I like your hat,” he said with a smile.

“No you don’t,” I responded. “You’re a Red Sox fan.”

Silent for but a moment, he said I was right. In fact, he said, he probably had a hat somewhere in his possession that said, “Yankees Suck.” We shared a laugh and talked about the historic rivalry between Boston and New York. And by the way, just for the record, regardless of holiday cheer, I will never use the words like in any way, shape or form connected with the Red Sox.

Anyway, throughout the month I’ve had the opportunity to renew acquaintances and attend a variety of holiday functions. The thing I enjoy most is seeing the joy and wonderment on children’s faces as they excitedly talk about the anticipated arrival of Santa Claus.

Just for fun, I like to ask if they’ve been naughty or nice. Most children instantly blurt out they’ve been nice, some hesitantly say they’ve been good, but look to their parents for reassurance. In one instance, I had a young boy, with tears starting to puddle in his eyes, tell me that he’d been really good and was hoping to visit his grammy.

Hearing that young boy express a desire to spend time with family was music to my ears. That’s what the holiday season is all about.

Sure, I remember some particularly cool gifts I’ve received over the years, but the fondest memory I treasure is a family tradition we had growing up. With my mom, pops and brotherman, we’d sit around the kitchen table on Christmas Eve playing board games. As competitive as I’ve always been, it didn’t really matter who won — we were all together as a family.
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Tammy Malgesini is the EO community editor. Her column, Inside my shoes, includes general musings about life. You can reach her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.

Melton, Miller provide dose of Round-Up spirit

09/17/2009

Melton, Miller provide dose of Round-Up spirit

By TAMMY MALGESINI

East Oregonian

I got a healthy dose of Round-Up spirit Saturday morning thanks to Tom Melton and Bob Miller, announcers for the Main Street Cowboys Dress-Up Parade.

You know how stores have Christmas things out and it’s not even Thanksgiving yet? Well, the newsroom is the same way. Before the Umatilla County Fair even began, we were already writing copy for the East Oregonian’s Round-Up magazine.

So, by the time the first horse gets ready to buck, my Round-Up spirit is nearly depleted.
Sometimes when looking at the coming events calendar it’s a tough call trying to decide what to cover for the weekend. However, after a quick glance early last week, I knew as the Saturday reporter I’d be hanging out on the streets of Pendleton for the Dress-Up Parade, often called the kick-off event for the Pendleton Round-Up.

Sure, everyone loves a parade, but as the week continued, I pondered how I should approach doing the story. Later in the week, I found out I also needed to take photos. Then on Friday, EO Managing Editor Skip Nichols asked me to take video footage.

It was this juggling act that prompted me to stake out a spot near the announcer’s table.
Having met the M & Ms a couple of years ago, I re-introduced myself to Melton and Miller, and then proceeded to set up my temporary encampment.

Within moments, I knew I was in the right place. I chuckled out loud as the pair bantered back and forth.

Although they had some written information on many of the entries, it was the duo’s spontaneous ad-libbing with each other and many who passed in front of them on the parade route that added to the experience - that and the shower of Tootsie Rolls raining on the stage area, courtesy of the Happy Canyon directors.

For those of you who missed the Dress-Up Parade, there’s another chance to rev up your Round-Up spirit during Friday’s Westward Ho! Parade. I encourage you to sidle up to the announcer’s table for Round 2 of Melton and Miller’s parade tour. However, if you can’t make it to downtown Pendleton, tune in to 1240 KTIX for a live broadcast of the unique non-motorized parade.
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Tammy Malgesini is the EO community editor. Her column, Inside my shoes, appears every other week. You can reach her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.