PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

December 15, 2011

Waitsburg’s Town Hall was turned into a child’s Christmas-shopping paradise last Thursday night. For about 15 years, community volunteer Rose Englebrite said the hall has played host to vendors who set up tables and sell gifts for $10 and under for the community children to purchase as gifts for their families. “It’s just a night for the kids to come out and shop for what they want to,” Englebrite said.

[Photo Caption] Friends and family are invited to share in celebrating the 60th wedding anniversary of Tom and Anita Baker at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18, in the Waitsburg Presbyterian Church. The couple were married in Denver, Colorado and moved to Waitsburg in 1963 where Tom started his career as publisher and editor of The Times. The couple has been members of the Presbyterian Church for many years.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 19, 1996

What’s 83 years old and just as handsome as ever? Waitsburg’s venerable gentleman Ralph Rankin? No. Ralph is 92 and just as handsome as ever. And he is nine years older than Preston Hall, the answer to the above riddle. Cheney Cowles Museum in Spokane has named Preston Hall a winner of its Historic Preservation Award for 1996. Preston Hall, built in 1913, was recently completely renovated and returned to regular use by the Waitsburg School District. The award was made “to honor individuals who have completed historic preservation projects, and also raises community awareness of this region’s rich architectural heritage.”

Fifty Years Ago

December 16, 1971

The night of Dec. 13th 1971 was stormy. A blizzard was blowing, but the storm didn’t keep a good-sized group of local Masons from attending the annual past Masters night. This special event is a long-standing tradition of Waitsburg Lodge No. 16. An oyster supper arranged by the stewards of the lodge with the assistance of Mrs. Henley was enjoyed by all. The supper preceded the formal meeting of the lodge which was presided over by past Master Ernest Mikkelsen. He was assisted by a full compliment of officers, the entire team being former Masters of the lodge.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

December 20, 1946

About 30 enthusiastic young men of this community have organized a Junior Chamber of Commerce to sponsor civic and community enterprises. Virgil Bode was elected president; Stanley Seaton, vice president; John Hixon, secretary-treasurer.

One Hundred Years Ago

December 16, 1921

The boys and girls in Central School established a record this week in $70.55 worth of Red Cross Anti-Tuberculosis Christmas seals in four days. The fifth grade disposed of 1800 seals for $18 and was awarded the privilege of a half holiday.

The annual letter-men’s banquet will be given Friday night, Dec. 16 at Preston Hall in honor of the football men who will receive letters. The banquet will be under the supervision of Miss Ward assisted by Isla Hales, Aletha Harsh and Opal Mock.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 18, 1896

Architect Bell having finished his labors at the Waitsburg Academy will leave for his home at Spokane the first of the week.

A marriage license has been issued by County Auditor Cahill (Columbia Co.) to Marion Groom and Miss Clara Daniels of Huntsville.

A much – enjoyed surprise party was given at the L. T. Parker residence on Wednesday evening, in honor of Miss Lizzie Parker. The guests assembled at the home of Miss Theresa Tucker and at about 8 o’clock marched to the Parker residence in a group. Their coming was a complete surprise to Miss Lizzie but she received them in her own pleasing manner and the evening was pleasantly spent by all.