Pioneer Portraits

Ten Years Ago

January 14, 2010

The Siberian Huskies who make their way to Ray and Carla Nilsen each come with a story and, sadly, it is most often about abuse and neglect. It’s been the couple’s mission these past six years to give every one of the canines who’ve come into their care a happy ending. And to see these dogs romping playfully around their remote, rustic home above Dixie, it appears they’re succeeding.

Krystal Harris blocked the shot, got control of the basketball and started dribbling toward the DeSales backboard in yet another fast break that rallied the Waitsburg home crowd. The Waitsburg-Prescott player was on fire in the game against the Irish Friday, logging the highest number of points for her team in the nail-biting win over the archrivals from Walla Walla. W-P beat DeSales in overtime, 50-47.

It’s expected that construction on a drop box at Waitsburg City Hall will be completed this week. The box for city payments and library books is located at the front of City Hall, where it is much easier for persons with disabilities to access.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

January 5, 1995

The Times has announced that its one-year subscription rates are being increased, effective Feb. 1. The one-year rate for residents of Walla Walla and Columbia counties is being raised $2, to $20. The last subscription rate increase was four years ago.

Those were double-pane windows going in at the old Bloor Building next to the grocery store in downtown Waitsburg last week. The building’s owner, Caroline Lybecker of Waitsburg, is opening an accounting and income tax preparation business there.

“Why does the village idiot keep hitting himself over the head with a hammer?” “Because,” the idiot responds, “it feels so good when I stop.” This column writer contends Big Business contributed $3.42 to anti-business groups last year for every $1 they donated to pro-business groups. This $3.42 hammer was no bargain.

If you get the feeling that there are more cars on the roads in Walla Walla County, you’re right. A new state traffic survey shows that on any given day there are 14,000 vehicles on some portions of Highway 12 and 4,300 vehicles on Highway 124.

Fifty Years Ago

January 8, 1970

Dr. A.S. Pearson was selected by the new board of directors to head Waitsburg Commercial Club for the 1970-71 year. Rev. Vernon Smith will serve as Vice-President.

Word has been received in Waitsburg Monday that Sgt. Joel D. Smith 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Mayes Smith of Seattle, had been seriously wounded in Viet Nam. According to the notification from the Secretary of the Army, Smith was injured in a booby trap which inflicted serious wounds which necessitated the amputation of both legs, as well as wounds to both arms and his back. His condition is reported to be serious but with the probability of survival.

Waitsburg Schools embarked this week on an innovative and exciting education program which, if successful, should add a new dimension to education in small schools here and hopefully in other systems across the state. Fourteen Wait-Hi seniors began a series of various classes at Walla Walla Community College. These classes are held at a variety of times and have necessitated some inventive scheduling by school officials, but the initial reactions seem to be positive and constructive.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

January 12, 1945

James D. Stonecipher was named chairman of the county commissioners at the group’s organizational meeting Monday. Other board members are Howard Reser and Preston Hanson.

The blacksmith shop across from Hirsh Feed and Grain has been sold to George Clibon who is tearing it down for the lumber.

Penicillin is now to be made available to the civilian world on a restricted basis.

The new 1945 car license plates are to be placed on the rear of the car since only one plate is being issued this year to each car, according to Patrolman Ellis.

One Hundred Years Ago

January 16, 1920

Fully 11, 000 rabbits were killed in the big drive near Burbank Sunday. Close to 600 sportsmen formed a line five miles long and drove the rabbits toward the Columbia River.

We understand that Mrs. Sarah Wallace has presented the Christian Church with a standard stereopticon machine, which will be used in connection with the church work.

Dell Keiser and family are in town visiting Mrs. Keiser’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Keiser’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. W.

Everhart, at Portland, and stopped off here on their way home.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

January 11, 1895

Several of our militia boys visited the Dayton boys on Monday night and watched their drill. They went in a big sled drawn by four big horses and report a pleasant time despite the cold.

Sol Hardman was smart enough to make hay while the sun shined this week, and therefore he has considerable ice in his house while others are standing idle.

Tommy Miller says that the pleasure sleigh riding is fine, while Harvey Stonecipher says it is winning, Charley Sanders says it is a lovely idea, and Arthur Kennedy says it is the pearl of great price.