PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

January 2, 2014

From "kind of" teaching herself guitar as a child to organizing and directing the Touchet Valley Acoustic Music Project, Kate Hockersmith is one of those people who sets out to meet a need when she sees it. Hockersmith had set her childhood guitar aside until about five years ago, when she picked it up again to support her son's musical interests by providing him guitar backup at area Bluegrass Jams. But Hockersmith hasn't limited her support to her own children; she is currently directing The Barnstormers – a group of young musicians with big goals for the future. Hockersmith became involved in Bluegrass when her son, John, joined The Troublemakers – a parent-led group that played throughout the area and toured Japan in 2007.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

January 7, 1999

[Photo Caption] Mike Ruzicka goes after the ball no matter what kind of interference, this bit coming from Dawg Brandon Hubbard (45) underneath. Ruzicka pumped in 20 points in Waitsburg's overtime win over Dayton and his 19-point effort in the 63-45 league win over DeSales was instrumental in the victory.

Fifty Years Ago

January 3, 1974

Waitsburg's Cardinal fans suffered through a ragged first half, saw their team speed up the action with a full-court press in the final two quarters to emerge with a 53-43 win over Touchet here on Friday, December 28. The Redbirds could not find the range in the first half, chalking up only 4 points in the first quarter on a pair of baskets by David Smith and Mike DeCoria. Touchet's Britt Watson put through 4 points and Land Savage hit two from the floor to give the Indians an 8-4 lead. Delgado and Munns widened the lead to 8 before Marshall Maib hit a short jumper and Scott Peterson found the range on two baskets and a pair of free throws. Watson was drilling in some fine hook shots, and DeCoria closed out the quarter with a long shot, leaving the Cards behind 23-13 at intermission.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

January 7, 1949

Ten scouts of Troop 36 spent New Year's Eve at the Scout Cabin. Attending were Rod Dilts, Leo Cobb, Bob Webber, Dick Brunton, George Lloyd, Howard Carson, Forrest Johnson, Buddy Nees, Marvin Klundt, Bob Wright and Scoutmaster Ernest Kilson.

A new bowling alley is being built in the basement of the Waitsburg Garage which has been remodeled to hold four lanes, and will be operated by King Witt and Leroy Todt.

One Hundred Years Ago

January 11, 1924

Earl Groom, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. T. Groom of this city, accidentally shot himself through the left forefinger last Thursday afternoon.

Miss Aletha Harsh, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Harsh of Huntsville, has entered training at St. Mary's Hospital, Walla Walla.

A number of boxing fans drove to Walla Walla Monday night to witness the fight card. Among those who enjoyed the program were Roland Allen, R. R. Rinehart, D. P. Hayes, Ralph McKenzie, and A. C. Garner.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

January 13, 1899

The new single seats for the high school arrived on Monday is a fact that is no doubt gratifying to Prof. Jones.

Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Hollowell left on Tuesday of this week for a visit to friends in Olympia. They will be absent about two weeks.

A carload of work mules was shipped through Colfax from Moscow enroute to Prescott where the mules will be unloaded and taken across to the Snake River between Riparia and Auisewarth to work on the Snake River Valley Railroad which is to follow to Lewiston.