Pioneer Portraits Week 41

Ten Years Ago-December 18, 2008

The recently renovated vaulted ceiling in the First Christian Church of Waitsburg was exposed or the first time in some 70 years last Saturday when congregation volunteers labored to dismantle scaffolding that permitted restoration work on the ceiling over the past six weeks.

An appreciative crowd crunched through packed snow and couldn’t have agreed more with the Waitsburg School bands and choirs that, “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” The Waitsburg Schools’ Christmas Concert was presented in the auditorium on Monday evening under the direction of Brad Green.

“The Winter Rose” with music by Joseph M. Martin and narration by Pamela Martin, will be performed by the Touchet Valley Choir, under the direction of Melissa Ferrians, at 7pm, Saturday, December 20, at Dayton’s Liberty Theater.

Twenty Five Years Ago-December 9, 1993

When Waitsburg High School’s cross-country team decides to show a little community spirit, they do it in a big way. In September the team decided to hold a food drive-relay for the purpose of collecting food for the Waitsburg Community Food Bank, located the Presbyterian Church. The teams were: cross-country, football, volleyball, cheerleaders, staff and junior high. Team members collected over 20 large boxes of canned food.

Waitsburg is getting ready to connect to a computer information service that will supply its city attorney with up-to-date information about city laws. City Attorney Bill Bloor suggested that the city sign up for a six-month subscription to the service, which will cost $125. City officials who are having difficulty with a problem-such as raising enough money to recoat the inside of the city’s water tank-could let other cities know about the problem by sending a note to the electronic bulletin board.

Fifty Years Ago - December 12, 1968

The Blue Mountain Racing Association will meet after a no-host lunch Saturday, December 14 at 12:00 noon in the dining room at Ginny’s Grill, Waitsburg. Top subject on the agenda will be the future of horse racing in the small tracks in the area, with a discussion of possible legislation which could be passed to aid the local tracks.

Photo caption: Glen Hofer visited Waitsburg this weekend enroute to a speaking engagement in Spokane during the Wheat Convention. Following the Waitsburg-Pilot Rock game, Glen exchanged a few words with Pam Cresswell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Cresswell, Jr. It was like old-home week at the local gymnasium for Glen. Most often asked question: When will the price of wheat go up?

Photo caption: When you have a first birthday cake with just one candle on it, everyone knows that you stick your fingers into the frosting. Wendy Davis, young daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glynn Davis, picks a few cherries off the side of the pastry while Karen Huwe and Kevin Davis look on.

Seventy Five Years Ago - December 17, 1943

W. T. Hamilton, councilman, has been appointed Mayor to fill in the unexpired term of E. J. Call. K. B. Gohlman was named to fill in the term of Hamilton.

Mr. and Mrs. Emory Krucheck and daughter spent the weekend visiting Kruchecks’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Krucheck. Emory has been working at the aluminum plant in Troutdale the past year.

Mrs. Harold Denney gave a birthday party for her daughter Mrs. Donald Goodhew of Walla Walla. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Goodhew and son, Freddy, were guests.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Huwe received a letter from their son, Lyle and he is now at Camp Roberts, Calif and is beginning his basic training.

The Friendly Thimble Club held its annual turkey dinner and Christmas Tree at the Testerman home Friday, Dec 10. Officers were elected for the coming year. They are, Mrs. Naomi Mock, president: Goldie Estes, secretary: Margaret Testerman Treasurer.

One Hundred Years Ago - Dec 20, 1918

Wheatley and Macomber, local plumbers have just finished installing a water system together with an electric light system at F. T. Keiser’s Valley View Farm. The farm is now equipped with electric lights and hot and cold water, which certainly make it convenient for the housewife.

We are pleased to welcome to Waitsburg as citizens, W. S. Guntle and family. They have been living at LaCrosse, WN, for several years, Mr. Guntle, as agent for the Pacific Coast Elevator Co.

Prof Julius von Gumppenberg is now instructing several classes in the French Language and in French conversation. He has three evening classes and one morning class.

Sgt. Emerson Loundagin arrived home from Corvallis, Oregon, Tuesday having received his discharge from the army service.

One Hundred Twenty Five Years Ago - Dec 22, 1893

J. D. Laidlaw and wife have christened their new home on the banks of the classic Touchet “Riverside Farm” and a model farm they are making it. Their “Riverside Dairy” butter is the best that comes to the market.

Ide Wickersham has erected a cabin in the mountains and will spend the winter there chopping wood.

Hon N. L. Butler arrived in the city Tuesday morning from Moumouth Oregon on a visit to his daughter, Miss Corinne.

In a few years, the valley up the Touchet just east of the city will present a lovely appearance and will be as valuable as it will be beautiful.