PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

November 29, 2012

Kathy Carpenter and her team at the Cardinal’s Nest in Waitsburg make sure kids have a place to go after school where they can get homework help and do fun projects. Carpenter, the director, said the Cardinal’s Nest was funded by a No Child Left Behind 21st Century Community Centers grant through the federal government. Educational Services District 123 helped facilitate the grant money and the funding allowed the Cardinal’s Nest, located at Waitsburg Elementary, to provide programming to students for free, Carpenter said. The grant money provided the funding for 10 staff members. In 2008, the Waitsburg School Board decided to keep the Cardinal’s Nest alive even though the federal grant funding ran out.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 4, 1997

Fresh out of dental school in 1952, A. S. “Stan” Pearson Sr. came to Waitsburg to begin a practice that would span 45 years and include seeing both sons, Stan Jr. and Randy, become dentists. Dr. Pearson, 73, semi-retired since 1989 when heart problems forced him to adopt a slower pace, entered full retirement in November. Pearson and wife Pauline have lived in Waitsburg since coming from Seattle with their young sons in 1952. They came to eastern Washington looking for a small town in which to settle and begin a dental practice. A committee of businessmen had a hand in the settling of the Pearsons here as well. Mile Brunton, former owner of the Touchet Valley Hardware, Homer Reed, superintendent of schools, and Roy Reed, associated with Blue Mountain Agency, were members of a committee searching for a dentist to be located in Waitsburg.

Fifty Years Ago

November 30, 1972

[Photo Caption] Waitsburg Historical Society is selling a unique Christmas card this year. This picture was taken around the turn of the century, and features the Bruce mansion in an old-fashioned snow scene. The localized card may be obtained from K & K Jewelers or from any member of the Historical Society Board.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

December 5, 1947

Mr. and Mrs. Jim E. Hansen have purchased the Glen Denny ranch in the Coppei district and recently moved to their new location.

Bluebirds met at the home of their leader, Mrs. Clinton Donley. We elected officers, Louise Dye, president; Phyllis Rice, vice-president; Joyce Holloway, secretary; Bessie Tate, middier; Judy Wright and Judy Donley served refreshments. Carolyn Kirk, scribe.

A new grade school building for Waitsburg is the issue at the bond election being held this Saturday, Dec. 6 at the grade school building. The present grade school is now giving its 57th year of service.

One Hundred Years Ago

December 8, 1922

Jake Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Smith of Spring Valley gave a very enjoyable party at his home Friday night. The party of young people made the trip out in a hay wagon pulled by six horses. Miss Michols of the high school faculty and Guy McLaughlin chaperoned the party.

Walter Mikkelsen, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. Mikkelsen, has a badly bruised forearm and hand as the result of attempting to crank a Ford a few nights ago. It was thought at first the arm was broken.

George Samuel this week purchased thru the Baird Music Co. a Mason and Hamlin grand piano for his daughter, Miss Francis.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 3, 1897

David Roberts, an old resident of this city and a man universally liked and respected by all who were so fortunate as to know him, died at his residence a short distance from Waitsburg last Friday morning, November 26.

Our esteemed townsman, Martin Weller, last week purchased the Grupe lumber yard in this city. He will close out all the lumber in the Grupe yard at greatly reduced prices and will then run but one yard.

A very pretty wedding took place at the Christian Church on last Sunday, Nov. 28th, when John H. Minnick and Miss Ora L. Brockman were made man and wife.