PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

September 9, 2010

Last Classroom Speech: Recently retired elementary school teacher Pam Conover reaches for the microphone to thank those who came for her retirement reception on Aug. 29 at Waitsburg’s Multipurpose Room. Conover served the district as an educator for 35 years.

[Photo caption] Races in the annual Tour of Walla Walla event enter Main Street via Bolles Road, After five years of hosting the tour, Waitsburg has built a reputation as a bike-friendly town.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

September 14, 1995

The 23rd annual Pioneer Fall Festival will get underway on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. at the Bruce House on Main Street in Waitsburg. Presentation of the Pioneer of the Year will be made at about 11:50. This year’s honoree is Kenneth B. Gohlman of Waitsburg.

[Headline] Lightning strikes old pines at Lewis and Clark park, eight trees might be lost

The city swimming pool in Waitsburg is expected to be open for use next summer.

The “Yesteryear Players” were back at it last week. Who? These are the guys and gals who don old-West garb (that really chaps my hide) and perform shootouts and bank holdups that would make Frank James’ little brother proud.

Six fires were reported this summer in the Walla Walla Ranger District of the Blue Mountains, officials reported.

Cherri L Mathews of Waitsburg has earned an associate in science, nursing, degree from Regents College of the University of the State of New York.

Fifty Years Ago

September 24, 1970

[Photo caption] Carl Nordheim presents the top beef carcass award to Lauri Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Smith of Waitsburg. This award is made each year after the show animals have been inspected in the locker.

Waitsburg will play the Pomeroy Pirates at Dayton on Friday evening, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. This game was originally scheduled to be played in Waitsburg at 2:30 p.m.

[Photo caption] Salmon Bake Chairman Ernest Mikkelsen relaxes for a moment after the feed is over, and confers with Albert Land and Frank Bramlet. Mik and his trusty crew served nearly 750 people at the 1970 version of this popular feed, sponsored by the Waitsburg Commercial Club.

Many people get into debt trying to keep up with those who already are.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

September 28, 1945

Mrs. C.E. Shaffer who was born 80 years ago near Burnt River, Ore. on the Old Oregon Trail was honored Sunday by members of her family celebrating her 80th birthday at the Mount Shaffer home.

Mr. and Mrs. Dahl Jones are the parents of a son weighing 7 pounds 11 ounces born Sept. 14 at the Marine Hospital in Seattle. He has been named Danny Bruce.

The Dixie grade school began the fall term with Miss Mary Doty as the principal and also teacher of the first and second grades; Mrs. Turner third and fourth grades; Mrs. Ricks fifth and sixth grades; Miss Ruth Walker seventh and eighth. Fifty-three pupils are enrolled.

One Hundred Years Ago

October 1, 1920

Miss Zella Walker and Theodore Bachmann were quietly married at Pomeroy Saturday Sept. 25 according to word received at this office. Both are well-known young people of this locality. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Walker prominent farmers on the Coppei. Mr. Bachmann has been farming in the Coppei district for several years.

The young married women of the Christian Church met Wednesday afternoon at the home of Mrs. G.C. Houtchens and organized a “Dorcas” society. The object of the society is to promote an interest in the church work among the younger women who are not affiliated with the Aid Society.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

October 4, 1895

Lewis Cox left at this office a fine sample of Early Rose potato but W.J. Duncan says he can beat it “all holler.”

Kirby & Chenowith have something new in mush material. It is called cream of wheat and is ahead of anything hitherto used.

Married in Spring Valley Oct. 1 Wm. H. Stonecipher and Miss Alta Winifred Gerking.

Conover and Roberts arrived home from the Palouse country with their threshing outfit on Tuesday. They report fine crops up there, some going as high as 65 bushels per acre.