PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago February 26, 2001

Washington state again ranks top in the nation for management of state government, according to the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and Governing Magazine.

The Mustangs finished their season with a 6-3 record and outbounded every team they played this year. "I believe this is a first for a Waitsburg girls' junior high team," commented Coach Karen Huwe.

Twenty-Five Years Ago February 20, 1986

Patty Horney was named Waitsburg's Citizen of the Year at the Commercial Club annual banquet. Patty was nominated for her dedication and work on the Waitsburg Ambulance Service and her involvement with the Emergency Medical Services Board.

Fifty Years Ago February 17, 1961

Mrs. Cassie Buroker, assistant cook in the school cafeteria, has retired due to ill health following 17 years of faithful service to the local school system. The Dorcas Room of the Christian Church was the scene Tuesday afternoon for the twenty-fifth anniversary tea of the Sorotus Club. The president, Mrs. Herman Gohlman, extended greetings to the guests and introduced the charter members, Mrs. Miles Brunton, Mrs. Henry Zuger, Mrs. Jake Smith, Mrs. Kenneth Gohlman, Mrs. Donald Harris and Mrs. Mount Shaffer. The annual Commercial Club banquet will be held Saturday night. An African safari adventure film will be shown. Dinner tickets are $1.75.

Seventy-Five Years Ago February 21, 1936

Waitsburg is located in an ocean of wheat. Acres of wheat, valleys of wheat, miles of wheat, mountains of wheat. In a seven-mile radius of Waitsburg, farmers harvest an average of 1,500,000 bushels annually. In a bumper year the yield has been known to go as high as 1,800,000 bushels.

Victor Hirsch has resigned his position as a member of the office force at the Preston-Shaffer Milling Company, effective March 1st. He plans to enter business for himself.

The annual children's party for children of Eastern Stars was given Friday afternoon. Some 24 boys and girls were present. Kenneth Smith won first prize at "cootie."

One Hundred Years Ago February 17, 1911

Representatives of the Pacific Light and Power Co. have been in the city this week going over the books of the Waitsburg Electric Light Co. The coming of this big light and power company into this territory means more to this valley than can readily be realized at this time.

February 22nd, the birthday of George Washington, will be appropriately celebrated at the high school next Wednesday evening. The Philomathean Society will give a program consisting of readings, papers, music and debate.

The Tillicum Club of young ladies entertained the Aloha Sewing Club at the home of Mrs. And Mrs. Wm McKinney Tuesday evening. The date being Feb. 14, the decorations of both rooms and table were suggestive of St. Valentine's Day. The featured entertainment was "100."

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago February 19, 1886

Last Monday afternoon while S. Kennedy and wife were going to their home in Spring Valley, the breast strap on one of the horses gave way allowing the wagon tongue to drop. The horses at once began to run, throwing Mrs. Kennedy out with such violence to render her for a time unconscious. Her head was badly cut. At last accounts she was improving.

Hon. H. P. Isaacs thus writes in regard to the new game law: In Walla Walla and Kittatas counties the closed season is from December 1st to August 15th, according to the provision of an Act passed at the close of the session, in accordance with the expressed desires of the disciples of the rod and gun, so that prairie chickens, quail and grouse can be killed only from August 15th to Dec. 1st, and blue or mountain grouse from August 1st to December 1st in these counties.