Waitsburg Welcomes 2019

WAITSBURG – With a new year ahead, and the paper under new ownership, The Times thought it would be fun to take a walk around Waitsburg to learn what local agencies, businesses and organizations are anticipating in the coming year. In this multi-part series, The Times will work its way up and down Main Street, check in with off-Main businesses, and talk with churches, clubs and organizations to learn their plans for 2019. The series kicks off this week with a Waitsburg School District update followed by a "walk" down the east side of Main Street.

Waitsburg School District

With voter-approved capital improvement projects wrapped up, Superintendent Jon Mishra expressed appreciation to the community.

"Thank you to voters for your support of our field house construction, kitchen remodel, and district-wide HVAC upgrades. Each of these projects enhance the likelihood of student success," Mishra told The Times.

The District continues to work on its "Waitsburg Foundations" and teacher Nicole Abel has developed a graphic representing the foundations.

Professional development will continue to focus on social-emotional development. Associated programs include the Character Strong program at the 6-12 grade level and Second Steps at the elementary level. The staff continues to research best practices in implementing discipline and behavior programs as well as how to best celebrate successes, Mishra said.

A newly formed Superintendent Advisory Committee has two meetings under its belt and will continue to discuss what is going well, what needs work, and how to address items that need work.

Mishra said the district will approach the community in November for an Enrichment and Operations levy. In the meantime, he plans to provide information on the impact of the McCleary legislation on the Waitsburg School District.

Four school board seats will be up for election/re-election in November as well. Ross Hamann, Christy House, Lisa Morrow, Jason Kaehler and Russ Knopp form the current school board. Knopp and House have seats up for the normal re-election cycle. Morrow and Kaehler were appointed, rather than elected, and are required by state law to run in the next election.

"We continue to do what is best for our children. We want to send a special thanks to our school board members for their dedication. January is School Board Appreciation Month and they deserve a huge Thank you!" Mishra said.

Fire No. 2

Columbia-Walla Walla Fire No. 2 has reason to celebrate in 2019. After years of scrimping, saving, and seeking donations and funding, the department was finally able to install a radio repeater on the hill at the north end of Waitsburg. The district received funding from a variety of sources including Wildhorse Casino and Resort, Puget Sound Energy, and the Department of Natural Resources, according to Fire District Commissioner Debbie Fortner.

The new repeater will become the new primary frequency and will eliminate dead spots throughout the district. Once the radios are programmed, the new frequency is ready for use.

Fortner said the department will be holding a reorganizational meeting in January or February.

Longtime Chief Jim Callahan retired in 2017 and Chief Neil Henze retired late in 2018. Assistant Chief Colter Mohney is currently serving as Acting Fire Chief.

Columbia County Fire Commissioners are Debbie Fortner, Jim Hickam, and Bruce Abbey. Walla Walla County Commissioners are Jake Long, Jim Leid, and Randy Farley.

Mohney said the department is greatly in need of volunteers, both firefighters and EMTs.

The department currently has approximately 16 active volunteers, about half of what it had in 2016, Fortner said.

Mohney said the all-volunteer district has welcomed two new members, recently, who are in line for EMT training this spring through WWCC. The department will pay for training, with a two-year commitment from the volunteer. Anyone interested in becoming a member should contact a local volunteer.

Waitsburg Post Office

Waitsburg postmaster Mike Reed has been here long enough to know that he's happy.

"I love Waitsburg! It has nice people; it's a nice community. I'm starting to get to know people and learn their names," Reed said, when asked what he thought of Waitsburg.

Reed took over as Postmaster in July after former Waitsburg Postmaster Dave Mueller retired.

The 56-year-old grew up in Nebraska but has worked for the postal service in Alaska, Wyoming, Colorado, and Washington. His most recent positions were as supervisor in Pasco and postmaster in Walla Walla.

He has lived in Pomeroy for the last two years and loves his home on the Tucannon River where he lives with his wife, dogs, chickens and a cat.

Reed is assisted by postal clerks Sarah Putnam, who has been in Waitsburg for three years, and Sarah Dorsch, who has been here for two-and-a-half. And the clerks have more than just a first name in common. Both worked in the Dixie Post Office prior to coming to Waitbsurg.

Walt Warehime and Cindy Standring are full-time route drivers. Carol Foley and Jose Torres round out the staff as route substitutes.

A recent change at the Post Office has been the move and replacement of the outdoor mail collection box. The box, which was previously located on Main Street, now sits by the Post Office door.

"It was a safety concern. People were making U-turns and driving on the wrong side of the street to drop off their mail. I saw that the box needed replaced and it seemed like a good time to move it to a safer place," Reed said.

As expected, reactions have been mixed, he reported.

Though customers may not see the post office as a retail business Reed says the branches are competitive and he is appreciative of the local patronage.

"I want to thank everyone for using us rather than going to Walla Walla or College Place to buy stamps, cards, or to ship packages. When people shop local it helps with our revenue," Reed said.

Not to mention the added bonuses of avoiding long lines and seeing friendly, familiar faces.

Weller Public Library

Waitsburg's favorite librarian, Rosie Warehime, is looking on the bright side. In fact, everywhere she looks (in the library, anyway) is brightly lit, thanks to the installation of new motion-sensing lights throughout the building this fall.

The improvements were made with funds donated to the library by the late Leona May Clarno, Warehime said. The library utilities and librarian salary are paid for through the City budget while the Friends of the Waitsburg Library raises funds for book purchases.

To keep Waitsburg well-read, Warehime purchases new books each month and keeps a running list of requests.

"If someone wants a book, they just need to let me know. Unless it's a real specialty book, I'll try and get it in," she said.

When it started getting dark earlier, the library changed hours to close at five on Monday and Thursday, and added Saturday hours. The Saturday sessions have been well attended.

"If we keep having people show up, I will try and do more on Saturdays. I'm thinking of starting a game day," Warehime said.

Warehime leads a Monday morning storytime from 10:30 to noon and said all ages are welcome. Storytime generally involves reading, a craft or science project, and time to browse or play.

"It's a nice social time," Warehime said.

Probably the biggest undertaking of the year is the summer reading program.

Library hours are Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., with a noon – 1 p.m. lunch break, and Saturday from 10 a.m. – noon.

10 Ten Art

In addition to becoming the new publisher of The Times, Lane Gwinn has big plans for her 10 Ton Press art studio. Igniting the creative spark in others is tops on her list of plans for 2019. Gwinn hopes to encourage more people to take up art by offering drawing, printmaking and painting classes starting as early as this month.

"In addition, we are creating an open drawing studio during 10 Ton Coffee's business hours, where people can come in and have free access to paper, materials and fun things to draw!" Gwinn said.

Gwinn say she already has a wonderful lineup of art shows planned for the year, kicking off with an exhibit of Carrie Hendrix's handmade musical instruments. The show opens January 10 with an artist reception Fri., Jan. 10 during the Bluegrass Jam at 10 Ton Coffee.

10 Ton Coffee

Luke Chavez and John Avery, who opened 10 Ton Coffee on Waitsburg's Main Street last May, say the shop has more than met their expectations.

"We love seeing the diversity of people that come through our doors. All ages, locals and out-of-towners," Chavez said.

The men had a goal of building a reputation for serving the best coffee and suing the best ingredients in all their products and are pleased with the positivive feedback and reviews they have received on both their coffee and food.

"Opening a new business in a small town as recent transplants was a little nerve wracking, but we have felt appreciated and welcomed by the people of this lovely town," Avery said.

In 2019, the owners plan to experiment with new menu items and to continue sourcing quality local ingredients. They also plan to expand their retail offerings to include coffee gear and a variety of items handmade by local artists."

Waitsburg Grocery

With a few months of store ownership under their belt, Jamie Allen and Jesse Smit say that store ownership is going well.

The couple purchased the business in October of 2018, from Dan and Trina Cole. Dan Cole had operated the business, which has been named Waitsburg Business of the Year for its long history of community support, for 32 year before handing over the keys.

Smit said he and Allen each wanted to run their own business and were excited at the opportunity when they learned about the store being up for sale.

"We are excited and grateful to carry on a local, thriving business in a town that we love and want to be a part of," Allen said.

In recent months, a new floor was installed, courtesy of the Masons who own the building, and the bathroom has been remodeled.

Allen makes a habit of tempting the hungry by posting photos of her freshly made deli eats, including baked goods and take-and-bake dips, on the Waitsburg Grocery Facebook page. A recent post promoted Seahawk cinnamon rolls (with blue and green frosting), and a Game Day special of Seahawk nachos and chili dogs.

The couple intends to slowly bring in new products, such as the recently-added kombucha, and they are happy to hear customer requests.