The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

One time last winter when Dizzy and I were alone at the Seven Porches Guest House, I heard some inexplicable sounds in the big empty house at night. The hinge of a downstairs door open- ing while it was windless outside.

Dizzy sat up and issued a low growl. I told him not to worry. It was just Stella, I assured him, and she was friendly. He relaxed as though he had understood me or maybe it was the lack of apprehension in my voice.

Stella Stimmel, who, along with her husband, had our house on 329 Main Street built more than 100 years ago, came with the home when we bought it from Andy and D...