The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG-Sharp-eyed Waitsburg visitors notice Mr. C's Smokin Co. at the corner of Preston Avenue and Highway 12. Area residents know the location as the place for smoked cheeses and meats, with good eats from the farm to the fields.

Nancy's Dream Garden Center business owner Doug Bolio shared that he was convinced to offer the Schulke family pumpkins for sale at his business on 2nd street. "Mr. C suggested I participate this year," he mentioned. Together they plan to sell 18 bins of pumpkins. Bolio went on to comment on what a big help "Mr. C", Clarence Stearns, has been to him since he opened his business last year. "He (Stearns) has gone out of his way to help me, sharing vendor information and other things I needed to know to get my business going." Bolio continues.

Why is Stearns so helpful? "I'll do anything to give people a reason to visit Waitsburg," he said.

"Doug is doing something a little different than everybody else, I'll keep supporting him, and he knows I will kick his a** if he quits"(the business) Stearns continued.

Mr. C's Smokin Co. is located at 405 Preston Ave, and has been a going concern for five years now. Stearns offers smoked meats and cheeses and also processes domestic animals and wild game. The 'cut and wrap' service shares equal billing with his other offerings and he notes that all aspects of his business are equally important. Stearns is also currently offering Castoldi onions, Warren family apples, and local honey along with his smoked jerky, pepper, garlic summer sausage and more. Seasonally, he provides locally grown produces as it is available, including asparagus, melons, peaches and strawberries.

Tracy Thompson

He smokes a variety of cheeses for the Walla Walla Cheese Company and the Umapine Creamery, including habanero cheddar, peppercorn cheddar, gouda and more.

Local folk know to bring Stearns their game for the cut and wrap treatment, and he provides slaughter service for his customers domestic beef and pigs. He is unable to process lambs or goats, as the rendering company he works with does not accept the refuse from those animals.

Stearns has plans to retire soon, and will hand his business off to his son Greg. A Waitsburg High grad who played on the Cardinal's State Championship football team, the younger Stearns is already hard at work, assisting his father. Business hours are Monday- Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday's 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.