Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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WAITSBURG – Teachers from all three Waitsburg schools were present and took turns speaking out against a potential reduction in force (RIF) staff cut during the public comment portion of the May 11 Waitsburg School Board meeting. In response, the board opted to take no action on the proposed RIF plan and will allow the Waitsburg Education Association (WEA) the opportunity to examine other ways to cut the budget. At the April 13 school board meeting, Superintendent Carol Clarke informed board m...
WAITSBURG – Kate Hockersmith thought she was out of the Bluegrass business until Chris Philbrook knocked on her door in 2010 saying he wanted to be a Troublemaker and go to Japan. A few days later, Kavin Kuykendall showed up on her doorstep asking if she knew anyone who taught banjo. "It was the strangest thing. At that same time, Emily and Beka Adams were learning to play fiddle, so I opened the doors and had a flood of kids. Most were homeschooled and some came from College Place and D...
WAITSBURG – Where can you get a hamburger meal, dine to live music, and follow it up with a night of dancing for only $10-$15? It’s sounds unlikely, but that’s exactly the deal the Waitsburg Philanthropic Education Organization (P.E.O.) provides to the community during Waitsburg Celebration Days. Local Philanthropy Chair Wendy Davis has organized the event for the last several years and says, even though it is the group’s main fundraiser, keeping costs down so that families can attend is a to...
WAITSBURG – Hard work pays off. It takes a lot of helping hands, but The Waitsburg Lions pulled off another highly successful Rib Feed fundraiser last Saturday. Lions Club President Neil Carpenter is quick to thank the community for supporting the rib and salmon feeds and beer garden fundraisers that will allow the group to donate more than $30,000 this club year. "We just really want to thank everyone for buying tickets to these events," Carpenter said. "Without all the support from the c...
WAITSBURG – A special meeting of the Waitsburg City Council was scheduled for last Tuesday afternoon, but later cancelled, when Mayor Walt Gobel was unable to attend. The meeting was called in response to concerns raised over the planned removal of five large trees along West 6th Street. Removal plans have now been postponed until the issue can be addressed at next Wednesday's regular city council meeting. Waitsburg Attorney Michael V. Hubbard explained the situation in a letter with the s...
WAITSBURG - Plans are falling into place for a fun-filled Waitsburg Celebration Days weekend, May 20-22. From parades, to a car show, ATV rides, games in the park, food, museums and live music, there will be plenty of fun for everyone. Friday The weekend kicks off Friday night with the Historical ATV Sunset Cruise. The 35-mile guided cruise takes Saturday's poker ride in reverse with stops at historical points of interest along the way, and ends back at the fairgrounds at a bonfire and beer...
WAITSBURG – Waitsburg cowgirl Emily Adams doesn't know how to be anything but busy. Even though a state qualifying track meet will make it impossible for her to be present at the actual Waitsburg Celebration Days event, Adams has agreed to serve as Celebration Days Queen, and is eager to promote Waitsburg at upcoming parades, speaking engagements, and luncheons. In Adams' absence, past Days of Real Sport and Celebration Days royalty will hold a "court reunion" and make a show during the C...
PRESCOTT – Summer is just around the corner, and the Prescott Joint Parks & Recreation Department (PJPRD) has been working hard to make sure they are ready. The pool has been freshly painted, new playground equipment has been installed, and pool managers have organized a discounted lifeguard certification class open to anyone wishing to lifeguard locally, whether in Prescott, Waitsburg, Dayton or Walla Walla. Prescott pool co-manager Yvonne Jackson has organized the lifeguard training class w...
WAITSBURG – City council members voted three to one to approve a rail design for the Main Street Bridge replacement on the north end of town. Councilors Kevin House, Marty Dunn, and Deb Callahan voted in favor of approving an open window pattern submitted by engineers Anderson Perry & Associates. Councilor KC Kuykendall voted in opposition saying he still didn’t understand why he was being forced to approve a rail when the city hasn’t approved an overall bridge design yet. “At this point,...
WAITSBURG – The Waitsburg Fairgrounds was the hot topic of the night at a well-attended Monday Waitsburg City Council meeting. Friends of Waitsburg Fairgrounds Committee (FWFC) chairperson Lane Hill opened the topic by presenting the board with a request from the FWFC. In a written statement the committee asked the council to approve the following requests: Approve the FWFC as an Advisory Committee under article 1.02.108 of the Waitsburg City Ordinance Agree to give all due consideration to a...
WAITSBURG – Board members of Artist Trust, based in Port Townsend, Wash., recently held a weekend retreat in Walla Walla, and were impressed with the burgeoning art scene they witnessed during an evening spent in Waitsburg. Artist Trust is a nonprofit group with the mission of supporting and encouraging artists working in all disciplines in order to enrich community life throughout Washington State. They accomplish that goal by offering grants, serving as a professional information resource f...
WAITSBURG – The Waitsburg Historical Society held its annual meeting on March 29. Attendees walked away with plans for new events and displays as well as the realization that it would be helpful for community members to step forward and lend a hand with a few projects. First on the list of needs is a replacement for current recording secretary Debra Callahan who recently resigned. The recording secretary is responsible for taking and distributing meeting minutes and sending notifications. The s...
WAITSBURG – From the Isle of Dominica in the West Indies to a farmhouse along Whetstone Springs outside of Waitsburg, Mark and Eleanora Montgomery have been gardening and beekeeping together for 30 years now. These days, they market organic honey and hardneck garlic, while raising garden crops and flowers for their own enjoyment. Mark grew up in the Seattle area and his dad raised bees as a hobby. He attended college at WSU where he earned a degree in agricultural economics. After graduation i...
WAITSBURG – With the logistics of the 2016-17 Waitsburg-Dayton football combine largely decided, it is time for the cheer squads to do the same. At the April 14 regular Waitsburg School Board Meeting, Athletic Director Stephanie Wooderchak shared the in-process 2016-17 cheer combine proposal with board members. Varsity Cheer Squad Through negotiations with Dayton, it has been agreed that Dayton will host the varsity squad of no more than 12 athletes, with Dayton providing the coach. Practices w...
WAITSBURG – A group of students and parents attended last week’s school board meeting to vocalize their support for high school girls’ basketball coach J.T. Elsey, whose performance was on the agenda for review during executive session. Sophomore athlete Chloe Pearson served as spokesperson for fellow players Taylor Hays, Devon Harshman and Tayler Jones. Pearson read the following prepared statement on behalf of the team. I have played both years in this program and J.T. has improved our team...
WAITSBURG – A multi-topic meeting of the Waitsburg Fairgrounds Committee ended with an agreement that the group’s first priority is to get a clear mandate of authority from the city. While members varied in opinion on everything from retaining the metal horse-race rail to whether or not buildings should be torn down, the committee was united in the idea that group needs to be able to function in a capacity similar to the city’s planning commission. “We want our mandate to be an advisor...
WAITSBURG – When former Waitsburg School Superintendent Robbie Johnson watched kids at Home Depot learning to make birdhouses one Saturday morning, he realized most kids from Waitsburg wouldn't be able to take part in those types of projects. He also knew just what group could make it happen locally. Men from the Waitsburg Christian Church started a "Second Saturday" group several months ago, and invited local men and boys to join them monthly for a hearty breakfast, good company, and often, a...
WAITSBURG – The Waitsburg Garden Club had a busy Saturday morning with tours of the Callahan home on Preston Avenue, and Terry and Bettie Hofer's property off Highway 12. The Callahan's shared recent improvements including a bee hive awaiting its first inhabitants, an orchard, berry bushes, and raised vegetable beds. Strawberries grow protected, above ground, in rain gutters atop a Pinterest-worthy arbor. Brian Callahan explained his method of large-scale composting and Deb demonstrated how she...
WAITSBURG – Waitsburg's favorite rodeo songstress spent a long and tiring day auditioning at the Moose Lodge in Ellensburg, Wash. last weekend, but returned home with the title of Washington Little Rodeo Queen. Ten-year-old Makenna Barron said she "had a lot of fun" as Miss Rodeo Washington Sweetheart for the Miss Rodeo Washington Pageant in 2013 and wanted to gain more royalty experience. Makenna's mom, Tracy Barron, said the Miss Rodeo Washington Pageant has dropped titles for younger contesta...
WAITSBURG – Spring is in the air and Waitsburg Celebration Days is a mere six weeks away. Tickets are already on sale for several highlight events of what looks to be a fun-filled family weekend, May 20-22. The weekend's signature event – the 35-mile Karen's Ride ATV Poker Run – has been adapted to allow participants to play an unlimited number of poker hands this year. Hands may be purchased at a discounted $10 rate through May 16, and will be $15 each after that date. And an additional ride,...
A group of Waitsburg folks (and a WSU student from India) kicked off spring break by running the 62- mile Palouse 100K Relay in Pullman on Sun, April 3. The race was originally called the Washington State University 100K Relay & Solo Race and was started by the Palouse Road Runners and WSU in 1990 as part of the WSU centennial celebration. Waitsburg resident Christy House said a group from Waitsburg, with the name BEERRUN, has participated in the race for the last five years, though the...
Jacci's Yarn Basket was Jacci Wooten's Third Career DAYTON – After several failed attempts to sell her business over the last three years, Jacci's Yarn Basket owner, Jacci Wooten, is closing her doors. The store's stock and fixtures are marked at 40% off now through April 16, when Wooten will officially retire. Wooten said the yarn shop is her "third career." She spent three years as a librarian at the University of Idaho Law Library, and then spent 16 years as a hairstylist in Moscow, Ida. Woot...
WAITSBURG – The Waitsburg Commercial Club awarded the 2016 Waitsburg Community Service Award – formerly known as the Citizen of the Year Award – to longtime resident and tireless volunteer, Mary Phillips, at their annual meeting on Tuesday, April, 5. Phillips joins the ranks of more than 50 individuals to receive the award, beginning with Ernest Kison in 1962 and continuing through Kate Hockersmith in 2015. Beginning in 2015, the Commercial Club decided to broaden their recognition base and h...
WAITSBURG – Walla Walla High School senior Madeline Erikson officially accepted her appointment to the US Military Academy at West Point by signing her letter of intent to compete on their NCAA Rifle Team on March 29. Erikson did not attend school in Waitsburg, but three previous generations of her family did. She is the daughter of Ellis and Kristin Erikson of Walla Walla and Trisha Maxwell of Walla Walla; granddaughter of Roland Erikson and Sherri Erikson, both of Waitsburg; and g...
WAITSBURG – Art lovers from across the valley gathered in the new Ten Ton Press building on Waitsburg's Main Street to welcome Seattle Artist David Allison at an artist's reception on Saturday afternoon. The well-established Seattle-based artist is the first of several solo artists to be featured in the new Waitsburg Windows of Art program, organized by Waitsburg resident Karen Gregutt. Gregutt said City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe had approached her with the idea after he'd heard of other t...
