Ten Years Ago

November 26, 2009

The Waitsburg City Council voted unanimously last week to assign its vacant fifth seat to William "Will" Potolicchio, an emergency medical technician who hopes to get more young people to vote and take an interest in their community.

If Waitsburg had a mascot, it would be the turkey. The wild turkey that is. After all, if it was good enough for Ben Franklin, who favored it over the bald eagle as our nation’s symbol, I guess it may good enough for us. “They’re really just pets,” says Waitsburg Hardware & Mercantile co-owner Marilyn Stellwagen. Turkeys can definitely be a problem in Dayton, confirms local fish and wildlife officer Rob McQuary, “they’re everywhere. They chase the postman, chase kids.”

Herds of elk were starving at Yellowstone National park and park officials were giving the broad antlered creatures away to sports group for the asking. It was 1930 and Holt Boone, teacher, businessman and sportsman, who later became County Commissioner, was one of those responsible for bringing the first elk to Columbia county and that part of the Blue Mountains

Twenty-Five Years Ago

November 17, 1994

Waitsburg school board members have decided that roads used by farm vehicles should be considered as hazardous for children who walk to school. The designation, approved by board members Nov 9, may mean the school district will collect more than the $23,000 it is getting from the state, for busing children who live less than a mile from school, but who cannot walk because of hazardous conditions.

Elizabeth Abbey entertained members of Odako Club in her home Thursday evening. She was assisted by Velma Sickles. The group voted to make a monetary donation to the Friends of the Library, Historical Society, Hometown Christmas, and the Waitsburg food bank.

Bradley C. Patton, a 1979 graduate of Waitsburg High School, has been named supervisor in the Walla Walla office of Niemi, Holland, & Scott, an accounting firm. Patton, a CPA, comes back to the Walla Walla-Waitsburg area from Spokane, where he spent 11 years in the accounting profession.

Fifty Years Ago

November 13, 1969

Photo caption: This trio of vivacious girls from Waitsburg will compete on November 29 for the title of “Touchet Valley Jr. Miss” at a pageant produced by the Dayton Jaycees. They are Kathy Donnelly, Bette Harris, and Carol Auchterlonie. This is the third year for the pageant. Julie Stonecipher was the first-year winner and went on to take first runner-up in the national after capturing a state title in Pullman. Rita Thomas of Prescott was Touchet Valley Junior Miss in ’69.

Photo caption: Four returning Cardinal letterman who should spark the 1969-70 basksetball team pose for the The Times lens during the first week of intensive practice in the local gym. Left to right, stand, Gary Pierson, Martin Huffman, and Scott Cresswell. Kneeling, Andy Maib. Thirty-five players have turned out for early practices, and the Redbirds begin their season with a home game.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

November 24, 1944

Mrs. Denzil Mock was honored at a surprise birthday dinner by friends at the Mock home Tuesday. About 15 ladies brought a potluck dinner and presented her with a gift. They did quilting in the afternoon.

Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Eaton entertained at dinner Sunday evening in celebration for their 30th anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Guy Bridges, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Huntington, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Loney, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Copeland of Walla Walla were guests.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Conover are starting to build a new home on the corner of Orchard and Seventh. Excavation for the basement has begun.

One Hundred Years Ago

November 28, 1919

Miss Celestia Loundagin, Dorothy Adams and Frederica Kershaw went to Seattle Tuesday night to spend Thanksgiving with Miss Lucille Adams, who is teaching in Seattle this year.

John Clodium and Henry Zuger arrived home Tuesday from a trip to the Texas oil fields after an absence of several weeks.

Friday afternoon little Evelyn Loundagin entertained eight of her little friends at the home of her parents., Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Loundagin. The dining room was decorated in pink and white while the birthday cake had little angels and five candles as it’s decoration.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

November 23, 1894

A whole army of young people had a bushel of fun on Thursday evening picking wool and sewing carpet rags at the home of Misses Jesssie and May Fletcher.

Abel White arrived home from his up-country trip on Sunday. We are sorry to learn that his trip was not a big success from a financial stand point. He says collections are out of the question north of the Snake.

Hon. P. A. Preston left on Thursday evening for San Jose California where he will join his family and remain during the winter. They will all return in the early spring.

R. R. Vannice, a prospserous farmer living near Covello, and one of the most respected men in Columbia County was killed by a horse on Thursday of last week...