PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago March 8, 2001

Angela Smith, the 18-year-old daughter of Glen and Adele (Ford) Smith of Waitsburg, will join a select group of Walla Walla County families who have been involved in the fair from generation to generation. Her mother was a member of the court in 1975, her grandmother Erma Lee (Kessler) Smith, was a Farmette in 1950. Angela's grandfathers, Kenneth Smith of Waitsburg and Don Ford of Prescott, have both served on the board of the Walla Walla Fair, and her great-grandfather Merle Brown of Prescott was parade marshal in 1976.

A good crowd was on hand Saturday night for the annual Waitsburg Firemen's Appreciation dinner. Jim Callahan reported that the firemen answered a total of 57 calls last year for Fire District 2 and the city.

Twenty-Five Years Ago March 6, 1996

Patty Horney was named Waitsburg's Citizen of the Year at the Commercial Club annual banquet held last Tuesday.

Kevin Winger, pilot and manger of Valley Air Service, Huntsville, received an award in recognition of his flight safety record as a young agricultural aviator from the National Agricultural Aviation Association in December of 1985.

Larry Dogg, archivist and curator of the Penrose Memorial Library, gave a very interesting talk on Narcissa Whitman on the Oregon Trail at the Commercial Club banquet. His talk coincided with the 150th anniversary of the marriage between the two missionaries.

Fifty Years Ago May 13, 1960

Chris Cox of Waitsburg, who has been boxing for the Dayton Athletic Club for the past two years, has recently won the prize trophy of his career by winning the Seattle P-I Northwest Regional Golden Gloves in the 132-pound division in Seattle.

Volunteer firemen answered a call at 5:45 Saturday evening to the Carl Peck ranch home where an electric blanket had shorted out and ignited the mattress of Butch Peck's bed.

The Waitsburg Cardinal Basketball team ended their current season following a second loss at the district tournament. Members of the team are Bill Donley, Jim Wood, Rich White, Walt Hodgen, Rick Davis, Ed Bird, Wes Leid, Jack Cyr and Bobby Abbey.

Seventy-Five Years Ago March 6, 1936

Effective March 10, 1936, all retail sales included rolled feeds, also exchange of flour or feed for whole grain will be discontinued by Preston-Shaffer Milling Co. V.T. Hirscdh has bought the chop mill equipment and will open a feed business in the Pioneer Livery Barn on Second Street.

Mrs. Virgil Spears of Pullman is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jap Harsch.

Mrs. Jack Sweazy entertained the Aloha Club on Wednesday afternoon. The ladies did hand work, and refreshments were served. Mrs. Jack Wright of Seattle, with her baby, was an out of town guest.

One Hundred Years Ago March 3, 1911

Mrs. W.B. Shaffer and Mrs. R.G. Eichelberger entertained about sixty ladies at the handsome Shaffer home on Fourth Street Wednesday afternoon. The feature of the afternoon was a drawing and guessing contest which created much amusement.

J.S. Arnold has leased the Milton Denny place on the Touchet near Bolles for a term of years and has moved his family thereon. Chas. Sayers and family, who were formerly on this place, have moved into town.

At the last meeting of the Burnside Post, Local G.A.R. the following comrades were elected delegates of the State Encampment at Wenatchee Jun 27-28-29; H.V. Grubbe and Isaac Wilson with HP Bruch and T.J. Hawks as alternatives.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago March 2, 1886

Miss Lettie Crawford will teach school at Bowles Junction commencing the first Monday in April. This will be her first attempt at teaching, and we wish her the greatest success.

On Wednesday evening, March 15th, the L.L.A. will give milk and mush festival at their hall. An interesting program of literary exercise will be arranged for the occasion. Proceeds go towards purchasing more books for their library. Admission, 25 cents. Everybody should attend and encourage the ladies in their noble work.

All who have given the matter the most casual attention are aware that Waitsburg needs and must have more school room; that our school has been entirely too much crowded during the past winter. At least two more rooms must be provided before the time for opening school next fall; and the building season will soon be here, it would be well for those interested in school matters and all taxpayers, to give the matter some thought.