The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Ten Years Ago

Thursday, June 8, 2006

Charles Smith bought the Bullseye Tavern with plans for a “ruffsawn wood bar saloon.” He didn’t ever imagine that he’d have this much fun with its renovation, especially since the discovery of comic books, magazines and newspapers in the ceiling above the false ceiling of the former bar and grill.

The Walla Walla Elk’s Lodge honored these Preston Hall Middle School Students of the Year at a banquet in May. The students are chosen by their teachers based on academics, citizenship and progress, and each received $50 to congratulate them: Zach Bartlow – 6th grade; Amanda Weis – 8th Grade; and Alyssa Hafen – 7th grade.

Jerry Baker, Jay Penner, Wally Bird, Kirk Fortner and Dean Nichols roe motorcycles in Indianapolis to take in the Indianapolis 500 recently. After the race, they went to St. Louis where they visited the arch and the Anheuser-Busch brewery. Coming home they stopped in Hesston, Kan., and visited the combine factory there.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

June 6, 1991

Woody Epp was in the office this week to give us some of the details of the successful 6th version of the Touchet River AA Roundup. For a change (from last year) the weather cooperated. Nearly 500 folks camped out at the race track where the Lions served breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and where the cooking and activities went on.

Dwight Penner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jay Penner of Waitsburg, was recently named winner of the 1991 DEKALB Agricultural Accomplishment Award. The award, sponsored nationwide by DEKALB Plant Genetics, is presented to the outstanding senior agriculture student demonstrating superior scholarship, leadership and supervised agricultural program. Presenting the award was Waitsburg vo-ag instructor, Scott Branson.

Fifty Years Ago

June 9, 1966

Waitsburg beef shown by FFA and 4-H groups at the Toppenish show in April received top awards according to word received this week by FFA sponsor Jerry Gordon. The awards were made on carcass quality. Jim Bloor’s Angus was the outstanding beef in the entire show, and received a “Steer of Merit” rating as did the FFA beef shown by Larry Conover. Two animals shown by Debbie Conover received steer of merit awards in the 4-H division. Honorable mention was made to stock shown by Steve Olsen, Jerry Wood, and Norman Hansen.

Newcomers to Waitsburg in the summer marvel at our “quiet” little town. Little do they know that Waitsburg operates with only two seasons a year – nine months of socializing and three months of harvest. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief with the close of school in June. That means three months to get the harvesting done and take a short vacation before the pot starts boiling in the fall.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

June 13, 1941

Clarence A. Burch has resigned as janitor of Central School after 32 years of faithful service.

Kenneth Zuger has received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington State College.

Miss Rowena Rice of Walla Walla and John A. Danielson were wed in that city June 1.

Dr. and Mrs. H. A. Mount and daughter Miss Dorothy, and Miss Winifred Neace are attending the Rose Show in Portland this week.

The McKay School went to the park at Walla Walla, and Last Springs went to Lewis & Clark State Park for their picnics last Thursday.

One Hundred Years Ago

June 16, 1916

A surprise party was given Lloyd Van Vleet Monday evening at the home of his mother, Mrs. Riley Rayburn. The following were present; Maurine Keiser, Marguerine Smith, Lea Woods, Luelia Everhart, Joe Free, Harold Roberts, Jas Zumwalf, Lindsay Crowder, and Lloyd Van Vleet.

Born in this city Thursday evening June 8, to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Shuham, a daughter. The young lady has been named Annette.

Very much like summer this week. In fact, this year is proving very much like a new Ford story we heard the other day: Why is 1916 like a Ford? No spring.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

June 19, 1891

Married in this city, Tuesday June 16, by Rev. E. Walden, Perry Perkins and Miss Ivy Mitchell. May their journey through life be full of pleasure and prosperity.

The Shiloh camp meeting is now going on, despite this inclement weather. There is a very encouraging encampment exceeding that of any previous year, during the early part of the meeting. The camp meeting will continue over next Sabbath and will close on Monday.

A very pleasant musicale was given at the hospitable home of Mr. and Mrs. A Stewart on Wednesday evening.

Don’t forget to tell your neighbor that Waitsburg will have the grandest celebration this fourth ever seen in the Inland Empire.