PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

December 28, 2000

County Road Foreman Jack Otterson retired this week after 30 ½ years of service. Otterson says the 1996 and 1997 area flooding was the "highlight" of his 16 years as road foreman. Although he and his seven-man crew were severely tested when waters raged through Waitsburg, there was a silver lining: County officials teamed with FEMA funding to build a new shop, which affords many efficiencies on higher ground.

Scott and Michelle Huxoll of West Third Street were declared winners for the Christmas lighting display this week. Other winners included Penny Hazelbaker, Ed and Lynna Larsen, Jeff and Dawn Nichols, Andy and Denise Winnett, Bob and Jean Miller, and Lyle and Liliian Judd. Business houses noted for their flair were Waitsburg Video and American West Bank.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 12, 1985

Brenda Gales, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Gales, and Dean Perry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Perry, have been honored as "Youths of the Month" by the Walla Walla Exchange Club.

The celebration of the first "Our Hometown Christ­mas"

was deemed a success by the merchants and towns­people,

as many participated in the two-day affair. Santa arrived in a fire truck with lights and sirens Friday night and shared a whole bunch of candy canes with the kids.

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Henze will observe their 40th wed­ding

anniversary at a reception to be held December 28 in the American Legion Banquet Room.

Fifty Years Ago

December 16, 1960

Charles G. Vollmer of Prosser has been elected to the State Wheat Commission. He is a former Waitsburg na­tive.

Mrs. Earl Freeman was hostess to Nesika Club Tuesday evening for their annual Christmas party. High bridge scores were won by Mrs. Charles Vollmer and Mrs. Robert Collins. Mrs. Marvin Lloyd played Santa Claus for the group.

Advanced agriculture projects include Dick Nelson, knife holder; Bert Aylward, stock racks; Bruce Harris, Christmas gift; Chuck Nettles, tool box; John Dodson, knife holder; Dan Clodius, cabinet; Doug Daniels, back blade for a tractor; and Gary Wheeler, desk and shop lamp.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

December 13, 1935

The business streets of our little city are looking mighty pretty this week and are reflecting the Christmas spirit.

The noon luncheon of the Commercial Club every Tuesday are proving quite popular, and Chef Bateman is serving some appetizing menus.

Floyd Rhay this week sold his blacksmith and welding shop, including the entire plant and building to E.J. Tuttle of Dixie, Washington.

A wedding of interest to Waitsburg friends occurred in Seattle, on last Saturday even, December 7, when Wil­liam

Dickson, Jr., and Miss Ferrel Mock of this city were married.

One Hundred Years Ago

December 16, 1910

Thirty-two of Mrs. Moxley's friends gave her a pleas­ant

surprise last Saturday evening. They all gathered at the home of Mrs. Davis with their good things to eat and at 5:30 o'clock went to the home of Mrs. Moxley. There is no doubt but that she was surprised.

Speaking of hogs, Walter E. Price sold a porker on Monday of this week which tipped the scales at 715 pounds and for which he received 7 cents per pound. $50.05 for one pig is some money.

The members of the Waitsburg Fire Department gave its members an oyster supper followed by an informal smoker at the Odd Fellows Hall. The members of the City Council were guests of the department.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 25, 1885

Mr. and Mrs. John Deeming arrived on Wednesday morning and are visiting Mrs. David Roberts, Mrs. Dem­ming's

sister. After visiting friends in this city, they will go to Walla Walla to visit Prof. A.J. Anderson, brother of Mrs. D.'s and thence to Portland to visit their daughter, Mrs. Reynolds.

The Summerville and Walla Walla wagon roads across the Blue Mountains, is closed for the season and will be re-opened as soon as possible in the spring. All those crossing on snowshoes or otherwise will do well to take their provisions and blankets with them, as they will findnone at the toll gate.

The grading on the Pomeroy extension for the O.R. N. has been completed, and ten miles of the track was laid last week, and as soon as some rock work is finished, the whole will soon be laid.

A fond father in Walla Walla, who has twin boys, sel­dom

corrects them because on one occasion he punished the wrong boy for dipping a cat in the molasses barrel.