PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago December 12, 2002

T'is the season of giving and the Waitsburg Lions Club is conducting its annual smoked turkey fund raising event. For a modest donation of $25, gift givers have a quick and tasty answer to the question of what to give to their hard-to- give-to friends and relatives, and smoked turkey lovers have a quick, easy and affordable way to get the taste they crave. The Waitsburg Lions seek the public's help with this project, which helps numerous youth-oriented projects and causes in the Waitsburg community.

The club's latest project was a BMX bicycle track off First Street. Other projects over the years have included the swim­ming pool renovation, softball fields, football field lights and other improvements to parks and fields around town. In addi­tion, the club also sponsors numerous youth activities and in­dividuals taking part in overseas sports tours. Those projects and more were paid for, in large part, by smoked turkeys and the supportive public which donates to the club in return for an excellent value.

The club raises more than $10, 000 each year, and plows the donations back into the community. The turkey is bathed in a special brine for 72 hours, then cooked in a wood-fired smoking pit that lets smoke pass over the birds for six hours. Each Lions member follows strict food-processing proce­dures in brining, cooking and handling each turkey to ensure it is safe, delicious, and ready for your dining room table. The club has established a scientifically proven process for smoking turkeys. Every turkey is fully cooked and ready to eat. The turkey can be reheated or served cold.

Twenty-Five Years Ago December 10, 1987

Waitsburg Council set the 1988 tax levy amount at $3.24 per $1,000 at the December 2 meeting. The valuation for the city is $17,503,613.00. The $3.24 will raise $56,712 for General Municipal Purposes. The council also discussed the preliminary budget for next year.

Thefiguresincludea5percentsalaryincreaseforfull time employees, a new backhoe and the upgrade project at the sewage treatment plant. No citizens appeared to make any comments or suggestions. A single bid for the demolition of the Ritter Building was received from Humbert Excavating- Partnership of Milton-Freewater, Oregon.

Humbert bid $9,800 for the demolition. No decision was made at the council meeting, since the members felt they needed some additional time to study the issue. The coun­cil discussed proposed changes in the Cemetery and Dog Control Ordinances. Cemetery fees under consideration are to be raised from $200 to $300 (includes $100.00 for space, $200.00 for endowment).

Fees to open and close a grave will be raised to $150, and $50 for inurnment of remains. Council is inclined to raise the fees for un-neutered male dogs to $10, the same as for females, and to require all dog owners to show evidence that their animals have current rabies shot.

Fifty Years Ago December 14, 1962

Glen Smith placed second in horse judging for 4-H mem­bers at the winter quarter horse show in Walla Walla. He is a member of the 4-H Saddles and Spurs Horse Club. Third grade Blue Birds finished their Christmas decorations Tues­day and sprayed them blue and gold. Sandy Kenney brought treats. Karen Webber, scribe.

The Waitsburg town Team went inside the walls Sunday afternoonfora5o'clockgameatthePenitentiarybeatingthe Indians 64 to 57. Glover led the scoring for Waitsburg with 20 points followed by Cox with 8, Segraves 8, Hays 7, Hillis 6, Swanger 4, Wood 4, Frederick 3. Donald Abbey acted as coach.

Seventy-Five Years Ago December 17, 1937

The Alto Club met last Thursday afternoon at the Hall. Pottery was the work of the day. The auction sale was a "howling success". The next meeting will be the Christmas party at the home of Mrs. Mount Shaffer, and will be a dessert luncheon promptly at 1 o'clock.

All members are requested to be present and bring a gift for Pollyanna. John Billups, one of the earliest residents of this district still living is a familiar figure on our streets. John was born in Iowa July 20, 1858. Crossed the plains with his parents in 1864, settling on the William H. Whittaker place east of town.

One Hundred Years Ago December 13, 1912

U.S. Logsdon finished drilling a well for F.T. Keiser on his Summit Hill Farm. The well is 68 feet deep and has 53 feet of water. Mr. Keiser also erected a windmill and will have water galore. The Presbyterian Aid Society held its annual Christmas Bazaar in the old bank building Saturday after­noon. Aprons of every sort, and rag rugs were the principal attraction. There were also many fancy articles. Tea, coffee and cake were served. The sale netted $60. It is reported that a black wolf has been sighted in the Jasper Mountain vicinity. Doll Jones is out on its tracks.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago December 16, 1887

Prof. Dumas met with a slight mishap while playing blackman with his pupils the other day. He went home back­wards yelling to one of the big girls to keep school till he got back. A pleasant surprise party was tendered B.C. and Miss Vercie Camp last Saturday evening. An elegant collation was served and a general good time enjoyed by the following list of guests: Misses Cora Neely, Cora Cox, Sadie Cox, Anna Denney, Stella Witt, Effie Clark, and Missrs. Virgil McKin­ney, W. Billups, W. M. Smith, James Wilcox, Ed Warshom and Lewis Neace. New officers of the Ciceronians of the Academy are: president, T. J. Hastings; vice president, Emma McKinney; secretary, W.V. Crawford; treasurer, Ida Brock­man; trustees, Jas McCoy, T.V. McKinney and H.C. Shuham.