Ten Years Ago

December 13, 2007

Waitsburg is shifting from an agricultural-based focus to wine and tourism, Perry Dozier of the Waitsburg Economic Development Committee told the Commercial Club at its December 4, 2007 at Ye Towne Hall.

The 2007-08 ski season got started at Ski Bluewood Sunday, December 9, The Times was informed by Ski Bluewood officials last Friday.

The Waitsburg Booster Club presented its “Cardinal Pride” Booster of the Year award to Bitzi and Bert Baxter during halftime of the Colton-Lady Cardinals game on December 4. Booster Club President Ross Hamann made the presentation. Previous winners of the honor include Fred Hamann, Jack and Laurette McCaw, and Tom and Anita Baker.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 10, 1992

More than 100 people will present a living nativity depicting the birth of Jesus for three days, beginning Dec. 18 in Waitsburg. This is the first time the community will present the nativity, with people portraying the scene at Bethlehem on Christmas Day almost 2,000 years ago.

A lot of weeds grow around Roland Schirman. “Weeds are my specialty,” said Schirman, the Columbia County Extension Agent since 1979. Fighting noxious weeds has been a consuming interest of Schirman’s for over 40 years, so it was a fitting tribute that he was presented with the 1992 Weed Warrior Award.

The 4-H Corral Wranglers met Dec. 7. Fifteen members were present. Our club received $20 from the Walla Walla Leaders Council for Best Window Display. Members received their pins. Michelle Benson and Stephanie Smith gave project demonstrations. Next month Marshal Mckinley, Summer and Savanna Stanger will give demonstrations. Summer and Anne Bickelhaupt will bring snacks. Club members will have a judging contest at the Jan. 4 meeting. Reporter, Jane Conover.

Fifty Years Ago

December 7, 1967

Photo caption: Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Smith of Waitsburg receive the Cattleman of the Year trophy for Walla Walla County from newly-elected president, John Woodward.

“Mr. Brown Comes Down The Hill,” an adult drama, will be shown to the Commercial Club on Tuesday night, December 12 at 8:00 p.m. The public is invited, and reservations for dinner should be made at Bloor’s or Gohlman’s. This movie has played around the world to audiences of leaders and thinking people.

Saturday will see Waitsburg men flying a mission of mercy into the wilds of the Salmon River Country in Idaho. Vaughn Hubbard and Bill Zuger, two members of a hunting party, left the camp just shortly before a gigantic snowstorm socked the other two members into the area. Gerry Vollmer and Al Hanger are stranded in a cabin with a pair of bull elk and other game killed during the hunt.Vaughn said that there is no danger of the two men starving to death because they have game animals to eat in abundance.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

December 11, 1942

High School students on the Honor Roll are Mary Hirsch, Ruth Wolfe, Robert Estes, Harriet Nilsson, Ruth Perry, Phyllis Anderson, Colleen Harris, Marie Switzer, Elmer Hays, Clora Jean Eaton and Elizabeth Sutton.

Gloria Jean Ray is a member of the Glee Club of Washington State College in Pullman.

Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Conover celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Dec. 6.

Harold Beckley, son of Mrs. Emma Beckley is returning to Bahrein, Arabia.

One Hundred Years Ago

December 14, 1917

Hon. Gustav Vollmer, former State Representative and well-known citizen of this city, took a prominent part Saturday in aiding Immigration Inspector Farris of Walla Walla in laying a trap that resulted in the arrest of an alleged German propagandist Virgil von Finch, now in the county jail under $1000 bonds, charged with violating the federal espionage act.

Lert Buroker, with helpers killed a few hogs Tuesday. He is also building a calf shed.

We had our first snow storm of the season Thursday, show mixed with rain, making us realize that our long Indian summer is past.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 16, 1892

C. H. Kingman and Frank Hicks have put a new express wagon on in this city. They have a good outfit, brand splinter new, and are ready and anxious for business.

Prof. George Lilley has been ousted from the presidency of the agricultural college at Pullman and Prof. J. W. Heston, of Tacoma elected in his stead.

Lenhart and Kingman, proprietors of the new bakery, made their first batch of bread Thursday.

If there be any who think beer making doesn’t pay in this county, let him read the following form the Dayton Chronicle: Weinhard has made up his mind to put up a two story brick at the corner of Main and Second Streets next spring.