PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago January 2, 2002

The city of Waitsburg's budget for 2003 will return to a more "normal" range in the coming year as the Waitsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project dollars bal- looned late year's budget about two times the usual total. The project, expected to be completed this month, added over $2 million to last year's City Budget, which totaled $4,705,601. The 2003 budget of $2,400,384, however, reflects a 50% re- duction in a number of areas as the City begins the new year in times of financial beltening at every level of government in Washington state. Even though it was reduced by 20%, the 2003 budget is balanced and will continue to provide a num- ber of services as in the past. Among the cuts, which the City Council implemented to not only balance the 2003 budget but also to be in a good position in 2004, were software updates, elimination of code enforcement officer, reduction of pool expenses to maintenance only, reduction of street construc- tion and engineering, reduction of water-sewer contingency reserve, and other budget items were shifted to optimize sav- ings or lower expenses.

Twenty-Five Years Ago December 31, 1987

A Basketball Super Shooters event was held at Sherwood Center gym in Walla Walla, Saturday, Jan. 9. It was sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This was a timed spot shoot- ing event. Contestants were allowed three minutes to shoot ten shots from ten different spots on the floor. The contest was open to any students in the area, boys and girls 12 and 13, and 14-15.

Fifty Years Ago January 4, 1963

Walla Walla Mills Inc. will start construction of a sawmill at Huntsville later this month according to Robert L. Moore, general manager of the firm at Walla Walla. Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Hopkins of Walla Walla have purchased Allen's Grocery and took possession on January 2. Mrs. Bonnie Stradley will continue to be employed as clerk. The Army Engineers will call for bids in April to start construction of the purposed $144 million Little goose Lock and dam on the Snake River.

Seventy-Five Years Ago January 7, 1938

Frank Zuger brought us in a bouquet of pink geraniums Wednesday, which were grown in the yard near the porch at the Zuger country home. There has not been sufficient frost as yet to kill the plants. A group of our young people reports a lot of fun over the holidays back in the Blue Mountains where excellent skiing conditions prevailed. The tollgate district is said to have plenty of snow and a group expects to go there Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. King Witt Jr. are the parents of a son born at 1 a.m. New Year's day at a maternity home in Walla Walla.

One Hundred Years Ago January 3, 1913

It was a jolly gathering at the fine new home of Mr. and Mrs. D.R. Stimmel New Year's Day with all the family pres- ent in a sort of reunion, together with a few intimate friends and the day with its big dinner will long be remembered by all those who were present. In this city the ushering in of the New Year 1913 was observed by the ringing of church and school bells and the blowing of horns. A number of watch parties were held about town. Most of the stores remained closed all day Wednesday. John Segraves on Jasper Mountain received a fine Xmas package from Uncle Sam. It was a pair of scales to weigh parcel post packages in the post office.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago January 6, 1888

A poor but wicked young man not a thousand miles from this city, desiring to get married in good shape without too much expense, a few days ago bought a suit of clothes at the Pioneer Supply depot on credit, wore them at the wedding, and the next day returned them saying they didn't fit. A large number of young people of the city had a "bee" at the pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. D.G. Ingraham on Tuesday evening. The hours were pleasantly spent in picking wool, pulling taffy etc, etc, etc. James Myers a few nights ago ran into a barb wire fence on orchard Street, cutting several nasty gashes in his face and almost ruining one eye. He was so badly hurt that physician assistance was necessary. Dr. Hudgin treated him. It would not be a bad idea to remove or protect that barb wire fence before someone is injured for life. Dr. C.H. Allen of Prescott is now the proud owner of two thoroughbred hound pups imported from California, and he says that in a comparatively short time there will be not a Jack or any other kind of rabbit on Eureka Flat.