PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

March 31, 2011

Dubbed the Hee-haw Honeys, Columbia County Fair Board Vice President Debbie Bailey, Secretary Christine Broughton, volunteer LeeAnn Literal and President Miranda Bowen performed a skit during Saturday’s kickoff.

While the wind and early spring rains still descend on the Touchet Valley more than rays of sun, Erin Horan is already busy planting this year’s garden at the Monteillet dairy farm.

The Blue Mountain Chapter of Pheasants Forever reported a successful annual banquet in late February. The chapter reports it can now adopt an entire pheasant enclosure at the Pioneer Park Aviary for $1,000.

Leroy Cunningham explains the meaning of the sign that appeared last week in the empty storefront window of the former “Nothing New Antiques” on Waitsburg’s Main Street. The waves that curl into one another like the yin and yang from traditional Chinese philosophy represent his nonprofit organization’s goal of sustainability: being in balance with nature and the environment. “It’s all about local food production.”

Twenty-Five Years Ago

April 4 1996

Scott Branson admits the kids beat him. Waitsburg High School’s vo-ag teacher addressed the school board last week and said a team of students placed fourth in the nation in an agricultural commodities trading contest.

The skill and discipline of the martial arts are now being taught at the Cougar DoJo Martial Arts School in Waitsburg. Alan Nelson, a student of Kemp of Kara-Ho karate, is sharing his knowledge and skill in one of the oldest and most effective forms of self defense.

Waitsburg City Council will now have three new members following voting Monday. Two hundred and eighteen people cast ballots in the annual city elections in Waitsburg, a turnout of about 30 percent, higher than the average of less than 15 percent in recent city elections.

Columbia County has the highest unemployment rate of any county in the state, 23.1 percent. The next highest is Pend Oreille County with 17.2 percent.

Fifty Years Ago

April 15, 1971

A Friday windstorm caused extensive damage to this storage building on the Hollis Hawk’s farm just south of Waitsburg. Pieces of the roof were found at some distance from the structure which collapsed at an ungainly angle.

Don Thomas reported that the Junior Livestock Show was a success. Don said that a state official was on hand and gave the local show a fine rating in all categories.

E. M. “Red” Mohney stopped by The Times office Tuesday to remind potential fishermen in the area that the Touchet River and its tributaries including Coppei Creek, are closed to all fishing until May 23rd.

To remodel a house, first figure the cost of materials. Then estimate the cost of labor, and multiply by three.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

April 26, 1946

Through the medium of the colorful candlelight investiture, Troop 36 bestowed the rank of Tenderfoot on Vance Price, Kenneth Lewis, Fred Gauch, and Mike Archer Thursday evening. Second Class Scout went to Howard Smith, John Fenton, Neal Alexander, Donald Calhoun and David Dilts.

The FFA boys of Waitsburg won second place in the livestock show in Pomeroy this week. J. W. Carson, director accompanied them.

Miss Lucille Nelson became the bride of Harold Bloor at an informal ceremony at St. Patrick’s parish house in Walla Walla on April 21.

One Hundred Years Ago

April 29, 1921

Waitsburg’s Six-day Summer Chautauqua will be held this year the last week of June.

At the recent session of the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Dr. H.A. Mount of this city, was elected Grand medical Examiner for the lodge in this state.

Mrs. Elmer Dunlap and Mrs. Emory Bruce were charming hostesses at a bridge luncheon at Mrs. Bruce’s country home, six miles north of Waitsburg Friday afternoon with 25 ladies motoring out to spend the afternoon playing bridge.

Charles E. Shaffer heads the Commercial Club for the coming year.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

May 1, 1896

A letter from Sam McCown informs us that he is in Johnson County, Missouri is engaged in farming and is right now in the midst of corn planting.

Lots of hogs are being shipped out of the country but the sad feature of it is that with every shipment there is a loss to the farmer that raised and fatted them.

The school children had a grand outing and picnic at Shiloh last Friday. The day was perfect, and with a most excellent program and a fine dinner the little folks were thoroughly happy and will long remember the day and place.