PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

June 30, 2011

The Port of Columbia’s Blue Mountain Station project received another boost when it was awarded a Challenge Grant of $5,000 by Pacific Power for marketing the project. Port Commission Chairman Gene Warren accepted the check from Pacific Power Regional Community Manager Bill Clemens. “Now that the Phase 1 infrastructure is in the ground, we are ready to site our first business at Blue Mountain Station," said Jennie Dickinson, manager of the Port of Columbia.

Waitsburg-Prescott graduate Kris Cady got the opportunity of a lifetime when he played in the Washington State Football Coaches Association East-West all-star game in Yakima this weekend. The West won 23-14. The Earl Barden Classic was played at Zaepfel Stadium and consisted of some of the best football players in the 1A, 1B, and 2A divisions in the State of Washington. The players were selected by the coaches association.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

June 27, 1996

It was once Waitsburg’s Second Hand Store, with plenty of what you might call “character.” In fact, the building had so much “character,” it took one man several weeks to sort through it all, and several large dumpsters were needed by present owners Dan and Ginny Butler, and Andy and Denise Winnett, Waitsburg, to get the place cleaned out. But now it might be called “First Rate.” Some two dozen people on Sunday toured the recently completed upstairs one-bedroom apartment above Lois’ Stitches and Alterations, the street-level shop occupying the main floor of the now refurbished Ritter Building. This week the glittering new 800 square foot apartment will get its first tenant.

Four local high school students recently spent a week attending the Evergreen Boys and Girls State, held at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, thanks to the local American Legion, the Legion Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Prescott Lions Club. Gabe Hoefer and Kaylyn Trent of Waitsburg and Tim Counts and Jennifer Jurun of Prescott, all juniors, were selected based on their community service, scholarship, and leadership.

Fifty Years Ago

June 24, 1971

Mrs. Delbert Mock and Mrs. Lester Done honored Miss Jacklin K. Lingle at a bridal shower at Mrs. Mock’s home on Friday evening. They were assisted by Mrs. Dave Roberts who made the table arrangements. The floral centerpiece of white roses in a blue bowl was of the bride’s colors, as were the white candles in their blue holders. Mrs. Don Lingle, the mother of the bride, poured the coffee and the cake was served by the mother of the groom, Mrs. Clinton Donnelly. Mrs. Donnie Wills won the door prize.

Roxanne Gales and Peggy Romine left on Sunday, June 13, on a chartered bus for Girls’ State at Central and returned home the following Sunday. Roxanne campaigned for the offices of clerk and House of Representatives, and Peggy was elected Precinct Woman and to the House of Representatives. Jerry Baker and Pay Mohney spent the last week at Boys’ State, which was held at Gonzaga University. Jerry ran for the offices of State Representative, City Council, and Chief of Police. Pay ran for Justice of the Peace and was appointed Director of the Game Department b the Boys’ State governor.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

June 26, 1946

“Puggy” the 14-year old terrier belonging to Joe Abbey, died in his sleep last week at their farm north of Waitsburg. “Puggy” was born on their farm in January, 1929, and had been a family pet since that time.

Walt Miller, formerly of Waitsburg, has returned here to open a pool hall in the old Morgan building. The interior is being completely remodeled with a new horseshoe counter and new equipment and this week the interior has a new coat of paint.

One Hundred Years Ago

June 24, 1921

The beautiful new country home of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Woods near Bolles Junction is just about completed. Will Huntington of Walla Walla, is the contractor.

The American Legion has decided to stage a celebration on the nation’s birthday and committees were appointed Wednesday to have charge of the details.

The season of the year having arrived to prepare to fight grain fires, the Commercial Club decided Tuesday night to recommend using the city fire bell to give all alarms of grain fires this summer, reserving the electric siren for town fires exclusively.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

June 26, 1896

Arthur Roberts has finished his ditch and has the lumber on the ground for headgate and penstock. He will have his electric plan in operation in less than a month.

Miss Olive L. Parker has been employed to teach our (Spring Valley) fall and winter terms of school.

The beautiful ladies of Wilson Hollow are busy canning gooseberries, rhubarb and strawberries this week.

Hay harvest is in full blast, and the crop is fine. The grain harvest is almost at hand and the crop bids fair to be fine. A glorious country this is.

Last Saturday night sneak thieves entered Fran Keiser’s cellar and carried there from two rolls of choice butter and a large dish of luscious strawberries.