The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Ten Years Ago - May 1 2008

Photo Caption-The largest tank of its kind ever manufactured by the Waitsburg Welding Works was delivered two weeks ago to the Walla Walla Concrete & Pipe Co, reads the story along with this photo from the April 11, 1947 edition. It took a crew of men two weeks to build, two hours to load on a truck, and three hours to haul the 20 miles to Walla Walla. Because of its immense size, it was too high to go under the railroad underpass on the main highway, and a slow trip was necessary on the country road with lead cars and follow-up cars to ensure safety. The tank will be used to hold dry cement for the mixing plant, and has a capacity of three carloads of bulk cement.

Headlines: New Waitsburg Clinic to hold public debut Monday—The landscape of downtown Waitsburg has changed for the better since the November 6. 2007 ground breaking for the new Waitsburg Clinic, built by the Columbia County Health System. The public will be welcomed into the new facility for a day of grand opening events from 4-7pm Monday May 5th.

Twenty-Five Years Ago - April 22, 1993

Teachers and students at Waitsburg High School are out to build some bridges. For the first time ever, freshmen, sophomores and juniors-about 75 students-are hoping to join teachers at a two day retreat at Camp Wooten. Theme of the leadership conference is “Walls Down, Bridges Up”. School principal Dan Butler, who came up with the idea, said it is one way to channel student energy in a positive way in the final two days of school.

Grady Nix, retiring city parks and cemeteries superintendent, was honored Tuesday by the Waitsburg Commercial Club. Nix has been a city employee for 28 years. He has worked tirelessly to make Preston Park and the two cemeteries show pieces. Mayor elect, Tom Baker, made the presentation of a plaque to Grady and expressed appreciation for his hard work.

Queen Melanie Atteberry, Princesses Julie Adams, Diane Davison and Christina Carter, the 1993 Days of Real Sport court, were introduced by their chaperon, Karen Mohney.

Fifty Years Ago April 25, 1968

Frank Reser was elected president of the Associated Student Body of Waitsburg High School in elections held Friday. He will be assisted by Mel Warriner, vice president: Tracey Harper, secretary, and Randy Pearson, treasurer. Debbie Conover was elected yell queen to be assisted by Margie Baker, Jani Keve,and Kitty Donnelly.

Photo Caption: The new Days of Real Sport betting booth at the local track is taking shape. Concrete floor has been poured and the side frames and roof joists are in place. This bigger and better facility replaces the old booth, which was accidently burned this winter.

Photo Caption: It was just .1 second difference between the winner and second place in the 220 at the Dayton Invitational meet last Saturday. Terry Baile of Connell won the event with a time of 23.4 while J. K. Keve of Waitsburg pressed him right to the wire with a second place time of 23.5.

Seventy Five Years Ago - April 30, 1943

Miss Betty Weir, daughter of Mrs. Marcia Weir, was chosen queen of the annual May Day fete to be held Tuesday, May 4th. Twelve girls will reign as the queen’s attendants, including Mary Hirsch, Donna Jeremiah, Janice Roberts, Ruth Wolfe, Harriet Nilsson, Phyllis Anderson, Colleen Colins, Marie Switzer, Naomi Stanley, Mary Leisville, Ruth Perry, and Elizabeth Sutton.

Announcement is made by Mrs. Cora Groom of Huntsville of the betrothal and coming marriage of her daughter, Miss Edna Groom to Maynard Pearson, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Pearson of Walla Walla.

The Sorotus semi-formal dance “Fashions in Rations”has been postponed to May 15 because of the apprearance of Jack Teagarden and his orchestra in Walla Walla

One Hundred Years Ago - May 3, 1918

The W. C. T. U. will meet with Mrs. Frank McCown, Main Street, on Saturday afternoon of this week at 2:30 o’clock. All ladies who are interested in this work are invited to attend.

Fred Cushing started his farming outfit at Endicott last Thursday. There were five wagon loads of machinery and implements and 100 head of work animals in the outfit that made the trip overland.

Frank Zuger made a rather flying trip to Pendleton and return in his car Monday. It was but five hours from the time he started until he was back.

The home of H. L. Wickersham on the Coppei was the center of attraction Sunday only fifteen people gathering around the dinner table to partake of the bounteous farm dinner of which Mrs. H. L. is capable of preparing

One Hundred Twenty Five Years Ago

May 5, 1893

R. Caldwell is in the city today putting up a number of fine monuments. Mr. Caldwell puts up good work and does it well.

The A. B. L’s gave a lawn social at the residence of S. W. Smith this afternoon. Ice cream will be served from 5 to 10 at 25 cents a dish, and big dishes too.

Born in this city, May 1 (the day of the opening of the World’s Fair) to Frank Callahan and wife, a daughter, weight of the daughter 9 pounds, weight of Frank, twenty tons.