PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

December 5, 2013

What would you do with an extra day? The members of Dayton’s First Congregational Church decided they would use it to provide care, comfort and hot food to the community. So on February 29, 2012, Pastor Marj Johnston and her congregation provided their first free community soup and bread dinner. “It was meant to be a simple meal,” Johnston said. “A safe place and good, hot meal. We wanted to create a place of welcome at a time of year when people tend to be isolated.” Dozens of people, including a large number of church members, attended that first meal. And the church has stuck with the idea. They provided the meal a few times that spring, and then again in the winter – on the last Friday of each month. “Darker days are harder for folk,” Johnston said. “Especially at the end of the month when resources grow meager.”

Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 10, 1998

[Photo Caption] No matter how exciting the 13th Annual Hometown Christmas might be, the suspense and commotion wasn’t enough to keep sleepy Sydney Eng, daughter of Marvin and Patty Eng of Waitsburg, from catching a few zees while riding on her father’s shoulders. A good crowd was on hand for the afternoon of turkey Bingo, browsing and drawings, all brought to a conclusion with a lighted parade and chili feed.

Fifty Years Ago

December 6, 1973

Sid Conner and his staff will host an open house in the new quarters of the Waitsburg Pharmacy this weekend. The move was made several weeks ago from the bank building location to the Allen building (222 Main Street), and everyone has been busy getting the shelves stocked and setting up in the new facilities. Besides the additional room in the new building, the store has an attractive carpet, new lights and fixtures and the building has been completely renovated. It is now a modern, up-to-date, attractive place of business that adds to Waitsburg. We know that Sid is proud of the change, and he should realize that many of us in the community share that with him. It gives all of us a psychological lift. It is easy to be a prophet of gloom, and to meditate on what the future of a small town may be in 10 to 20 years. Moving and updating the Pharmacy represents a positive vote for the future of this community, an encouraging sign. Add to this the new bank building going up in city center, and it is possible to feel very optimistic about Waitsburg.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

December 10, 1948

George Trump of Pomeroy has bought the Bridgeview Cabins form Cecil Werhaag.

Ronald Kessler was ringbearer at the wedding of Darin Heady and Miss Dororthy DeRuwe at the Catholic Church in Dayton Sunday.

Mrs. Denney Neace and infant son Lewis born Nov. 29 returned home Monday from the Walla Walla General Hospital.

One Hundred Years Ago

December 14, 1923

Mr. and Mrs. Alpha Fox entertained the J. U. G. Club at auction bridge last Friday evening. There were seven tables and the evening proved to be an enjoyable one.

Mr. and Mrs. Jay McCaw of Prescott are the parents of a daughter born Monday night at St. Mary Hospital.

Several car loads of Waitsburg people drove to Dayton Monday night to attend a lecture at the courthouse given by C. C. Curtis of Vancouver, Wa. on the Klu Klux Klan. The lecture was largely attended.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 16, 1898

Miss Ada Wright finishes a three-months term of school at Alto today. She has proven herself a very successful instructor.

The ice crop is being rapidly harvested this week. Load after load of fine looking ice can be seen passing along the street at almost every minute in the day. Ice has attained a thickness of nearly nine inches – rather unusual thickness for this vicinity.