PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

December 8, 2011

[Photo Caption] The 2011 WP Cardinals hold aloft the coveted state 2B championship trophy after their 33-7 victory over the Morton/White Pass Timberwolves at the Tacoma Dome last Saturday. The students from Waitsburg became the first-ever football players to win the title on the high school’s behalf. It’s the second WP state sports title this fall.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 12, 1996

The Waitsburg Ambulance Service’s primary ambulance, a 1986 Ford which was experiencing mechanical difficulties, should be back in service sometime this week, said Jack Otterson, WAS president. The ambulance powered by a 6.9-liter turbo-supercharged diesel engine, had developed cracked heads and oil consumption problems prior to receiving a new 7.3 liter powerplant, which will also be turboed for additional power. WAS, however, had to borrow around $10,000 to pay for the transplant, Otterson said. “We had to borrow money from the bank,” he said, “then we’ll have to raise money from donations or from different sources.”

Fifty Years Ago

December 9, 1971

Jack DeWitt, Waitsburg, was elected first vice president of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers at their annual meeting held in Spokane last week. DeWitt, who manages Foundation Farms, south of Waitsburg, has also served as president of the Walla Walla County Association of Wheat Growers. Elwood Brown, Bickelton, was elected president of the WAWG and L. Jerald Sheffels, Wilbur, second vice president.

Maggie Romine, high school senior and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Romine has been selected for Merit’s Who’s Who Among American High School Students. The honor was based on Miss Romine’s “participation and leadership” in the Washington Girls’ State program and “outstanding scholarship.”

Seventy-Five Years Ago

December 13, 1946

Miss Elizabeth Ann Danielson and Mr. Joseph Abbey were united in marriage Sunday afternoon, December 8, at the Methodist Church with the Rev. Aubrey Winsor officiating.

Waitsburg’s Community Christmas Tree was erected in front of the theatre Tuesday and is loaded with colored lights, adding holiday gayety to the city streets. Fir trees have been erected in front of the business houses.

R. R. Rinehart was elected fire chief Monday, Byron Gusse is president; Art Stedman, secretary; Dick Seaman, first captain, and Glen Callahan, second captain.

One Hundred Years Ago

December 9, 1921

Everett Greer celebrated his 7th birthday Dec. 1st at the home of his grandmother, Mrs. Lytton. Those present were Hubert and Dorothy Mount, Alpha and Merle Austin, Wallace, Thelma and Robert Barnes, Evelyn, Nellie, David and Charles Lakin, Richard Barnes, Kathleen Flanders and little host.

Evelyn Loundagin, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Loundagin, while playing with her little playmates near the Loundagin home Saturday, fell and fractured the bone of her right arm.

The barn at the Reed Jonas farm about six miles northeast of this city was entirely destroyed by fire Friday night. All the hay in the barn and a quantity of harness were lost as well, but no stock.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 11, 1896

Prof. J. N. Taggard and wife have resigned their positions as teacher in the Huntsville schools and will leave soon for the Sandwich Islands where they have accepted positions as teachers there.

The Waitsburg Football team are doing some hard practices since the snow has gone off and the frost is out of the ground. The boys will put up a good game if rightly trained. They will probably play the Dayton eleven in a few days.

Mrs. A. L. Kinnear and two children of Tacoma arrived in the city last week and will spend the winter with her uncle P. A. Preston.