Pioneer Portraits - May 28, 2015

Ten Years Ago

June 2, 2005

Seven years ago, young Trevor Johnson bugled Taps at the first Memorial Day observance which he and his father, Mark, helped organize. Now Johnson, dressed in desert camouflage and beret, has returned from a one-year tour in Iraq, and he was the honored speaker at the ceremony last Monday.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when FFA Advisor Scott Branson was presented with the gold officer’s chain that had been proudly worn by Amanda McKinley Morton during her year as State Reporter. Branson bid an emotional farewell to the Waitsburg FFA Chapter as he stepped into retirement after 31 years at the FFA Annual Banquet May 25.

The Waitsburg Cardinal Boys Track Team, led by a trio of seniors making repeat appearances at the State B meet, scored four firsts on their way to the District 9 track championship at the district meet in Pullman last weekend. Matt Baker, Gabe Kiefel, and Wade Bennett notched firsts and a supporting cast of Cardinals placed in numerous events to pull off the first district track championship in recent memory.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

May 31, 1990

Thirteen members of the Waitsburg High School Class of 1990 bid farewell in commencement ceremonies held last Thursday. Four members of the class spoke to the gathering, including Valedictorian Amy Branson, Salutatorian Jason Payne, and Honor Speakers Lynne Carpenter and Rachel Hinchliffe.

Michael J. Ferrians, of Spokane, Washington, was among 30 students who received graduate theological degrees May 18 at Lexington Theological Seminary. It was the 125th graduation at the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) institution. Ferrians received a master of divinity degree. Ferrians, a 1984 music graduate of Whitworth College, Spokane, has accepted a pastorate at First Christian Church, Waitsburg, WA.

Fifty Years Ago

May 27, 1965

Probably starting time of the Waitsburg plant of Green Giant Co. for the canning and freezing of early June peas has been set for Thursday morning, May 27, at 10 a.m. The plant will be running on a limited basis for at time with only a partial crew on the job.

The quality quartet of the Waitsburg Lions Club walked off with the Multiple District trophy at a meeting held last weekend in Yakima. Quartet members, Jack McCaw, Lee Mantz, Jr., Bob Sickles, and Bob Patton sang two numbers for the group of Lions assembled for the conclave, and then were asked back for several stirring encores. They, in Tommy Tucker style, also had to sing once more before they could receive their trophy at the “Awardin’ Session.”

Seventy-Five Years Ago

May 31, 1940

Mary Loundagin of Lost Springs school, and Ellen Gagnon of McKay school, joined Dayton last Friday evening for the 8th grade graduation exercises.

Orval Burgner of Portland was a visitor at the Chester Keiser home Saturday. He will graduate from the Pacific Dental College June 4. He is a local boy.

One Hundred Years Ago

June 4, 1915

Last Friday was May Carnival day at Prescott and the shady and well-kept mill grove was filled all day by a happy throng of people intent on enjoying every minute of the time.

Driving his new Mitchell car, H. D. Conover, accompanied by his daughter, Mrs. Lettie Roberts and son Henry and wife, and Glen Conover, left here Thursday morning last and drove to Heppner, where they visited the Crawfords, Friday, returning home Saturday. They report a delightful trip.

Orin Walker, the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Walker, who has been attending school in District No. 72, completed the eighth grade this year. He took the examination in this city and was awarded his diploma with the class from this school last week. Orin expects to enter the high school in this city this fall.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

May 30, 1890

At the K of P picnic last Tuesday a prize of a plow share and six boxes of axle great offered to the farmer having the largest family on the ground was carried home by our friend G. W. Lundagin. Lewis Cox, had he competed for the prize, would have made a close race.

The second annual commencement exercises of the Waitsburg Public School was held in the Opera House last Friday evening, and were attended by as many as could possibly gain admittance. Many were compelled to go away, there being no room in the house for them. The hall was most beautifully decorated, and the exercises throughout interesting and entertaining. The graduates were Misses Adna Fudge, Lulu Cox, Gilla Lloyd and Belle Brown, all of whom acquitted themselves with much credit.

Considerable complaint about petty thievery in the city lately. Last Saturday night an elegant lunch consisting of roast chicken and all the etceteras that belong to a first-class picnic dinner was stolen from J. L. Harper’s cellar.