Pioneer Portraits

10 Years Ago - April 10, 2008

Whatddya gotta do to be the Touchet Valley’s Top Farmhand?

First contestants had to cram a hay bale into a too-right gap between other bales, the load and unload a nail gun. Next was to saddle a “horse” and rope a hay-bale doggie, followed by the bale toss. After that, contestants were to give their best critter call, then pitch a busted section of bob wire fence. Checking a chainsaw for correct chain installation and putting a link in a drive chain correctly followed.

Clint Atteberry jumped into first place with a score of 97 out of 100, then he held onto the challenger after challenger to win the Waitsburg Junior Livestock Show Top Farmhand Competition last weekend. Atteberry won a $75 gift certificate to Waitsburg Hardware & Mercantile.

Finishing second was Randy Farley and Jerry Baker was third. About a dozen locals gave it a shot and a good time was had by all.

Contestants included: Pat Bly, Perry Dozier, Travis Newman, lanny Adams, Clint Atteberry, Randy Farley, Jerry Baker, Ann Adams, Joe Gagnon, Patty Eng, Steven Brooks, and Justin Gagnon.

Twenty Five Years Ago, April1, 1993

Waitsburg minister Michael Ferrians has been selected outstanding volunteer in Walla Walla County by the conty’s Substance Abuse Task Force. Ferrians, a pastor of the First Christian Church in Waitsburg, was honored for his work in organizing the Waitsburg Community Network, a volunteer group of parents and others who are working to educate people about drug and alcohol abuse.

A second honoree also has ties to Waitsburg, Cathy Carson, a counselor at Waitsburg High School has been named outstanding educator in Walla Walla County by the anti-drug task force.

Rainbow Week will be observed in Waitsburg from March 29 to April 4. Members of Waitsburg Assembly no. 68 and their families will be attending the First Christian Church on April 4 in observance of the week and will take part in the services. There are 10 girls in the Assembly at this time. The Waitsburg Assembly with the Walla Walla Assembly won the proficiency Trophy for the best official visit in the District. Heather Stephenon is the Worthy Advisor, Lois Stephensen is Mother Advisor assisted by Nancy Otterson and Dorothy Hazelbaker. Glen Smith is Rainbow Dad

Fifty Years Ago, April 4, 1968

Lenora Gammon, Alice Griffen, Hannah Thompson, Dorothy Archer and Beryl Witt returned last Monday from Olympia where they competed in a state bowling tournament.

Photo Caption: Trophy winners in the Senior division of the Waitsburg Gun Club are shown following the Saturday dinner. Back row, left to right, Burt Handy, (Blue Mountain Rifte) Doug Beckel (Hi standing aggregate and Blue Mtn Team) Garry Yollmer (trap shooting), Gale Piersol (Hi individual scratch pistol), Perry Bigelow (most faithful attendance) Dean Harmanns (Blue Mtn team and senior rifle 2nd). Seated, Harry Smith, (Blue Mt. team and match scoring) Vick O’Brien (2nd pistol and hi shotgun) Garry Hall (high pistol) Joe Abbey (1st Rifle and hi individual) and Ben Sutton (trap shooting 1st)

Seventy Five Years Ago, April 9, 1943

The Royal Presido Chapel in Monterey, Calif, was the setting for the wedding of Miss Winnifred Neace, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Chas Neace and Capt Joe McCown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Emory McCown at high noon, March 28.

For the past several months, Orville Fullerton and Randolph Webber have been installing the feed mill machinery in the barn on the Huntsville mill property and now have a first class feed mill in operation. The first grain was put thru Friday of last week.

A group of friends called at the home of Mrs. Julia Davis last Saturday evening as a surprise to help her celebrate her birthday.

One Hundred Years Ago, April 12, 1918

Richard Ormsbee is indignant over the loss of practically all of his beautiful bed of hyacinths one night last week. Presumably some children, whom one would think knew better than to steal, visited his garden and picked the beautiful flowers,

Mrs. F. A. Jonas and daughter, Mrs. Beulah McKenzie went to Hot Lake Sanatorium last Friday to be with Miss Ethel Jonas,- who has been taking treatment there and so we understand, will have to undergo an operation before her health is permanently improved.

Emory Bruce, one of our progressive young farmers, this week received his new Best tractor, and drove the iron horses out to the Coppei Ranch. This new machine is a 40 hp size and seems to be a very flexible tractor, being able to turn around practically within its own length.

One Hundred Twenty Five Years Ago

April 14, 1893

A big frost and ice as thick as a silver dollar formed on Friday night last.

Lewis Cox wisely decided to avoid the annoyances of litigation and accepted the $25 tendered him by the city in payment for damages by removing pipe from his place.

They have a bright new baby at John B. Laundagins. It is a democrat, too.

C. H. Kingman has sold his interest in the bakery to his partner, Fred Cushing, who will hereafter go it alone.