The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Ten Years Ago

November 18, 2010

Less than a month after Ski Bluewood was rescued for local winter recreation, a much-beloved summer spot in the area appears to be in jeopardy. During the past several weeks, the operator and leaseholders of Lyons Ferry Park on the Snake River have all given notice to terminate their respective agreements, saying they can no longer afford to subsidize the money-losing facility.

Nine Valley players make All League: Bickelhaupt, Sunderland, Armstrong, Zack Bartlow, Brock, Dady, Jeff Bartlow, Brannock and Hofer.

Dog feces were smeared on a Chrysler car on Maple Street in Waitsburg.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

November 23, 1995

In these days of tractors costing $150,000, Dick Peterson’s story about the “Doodle Bug” is something to retell. Built from car parts, the tractor was in constant use through the 1940s and possibly into the 1950s. They don’t build them like that anymore.

Pat McConnell, manager of McGregor Company offices in Waitsburg, Prescott, and Walla Walla, has been selected to participate in a two-year agriculture and forestry leadership development program.

Brenda Himmelberger, 35, of Dayton, is the new owner of Mrs. Mc’s Country Classics on Main Street in Dayton. She purchased the shop, which specializes in antiques, unique gifts, and other specialty items, including foods, from Kay McFarland. Himmelberger, an artist, said of buying the business: “This is like a childhood dream come true. I was one of those kids who played store rather than house.”

Fifty Years Ago

December 3, 1970

The “whummp” you felt last Tuesday afternoon came from the gravel pit just north of the cannery at the edge of town. Walla Walla County Engineer B. Loyal Smith was in charge of the venture, which will give the county additional rock for road repair and construction. The blasting is done with fertilizer mixed with oil, detonated by solid powder sticks. It did rattle the dishes a bit, eh?

Wedding vows were exchanged Saturday evening, November 28, by Miss Mary Margaret Leid and Mr. O. Jerome Olona in the First Presbyterian Church in Waitsburg. The bride is the daughter of Mayor and Mrs. Roy W. Leid, Sr. and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Orlando Olona of Albuquerque, N. M.

Waitsburg’s Cardinals overcame a cold spell in the third quarter with some hot shooting in the final stanza to beat a determined Prescott team by a 67-57 score last Tuesday.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

December 7, 1945

Ernest Mikkelsen was elected president of the Rural Telephone Co Saturday with Louis Winnett, vice president; and Julia Davis, secretary-treasurer, Art Richards is now serving as lineman.

Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Conover had members of their immediate family gather Sunday, December 2, for their 60th wedding anniversary.

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Broom have purchased the Mina Eaton home on 10th and Coppei.

Ellen Gagnon and Ruth Perry are living together in Portland, where both girls are employed.

One Hundred Years Ago

December 10, 1920

Twenty-five thousand bushels of wheat sold here Tuesday evening at $1.50 a bushel net to the grower.

Mrs. D. B. Stimmel had a sort of family reunion at her home Sunday in honor of John Stimmel and family, who are down from Rudyard, Montana, but there was quite a housefull, notwithstanding.

A case of smallpox is reported at the home of Ray Powell, Second Street, one of the boys being ill with the disease.

Rev. H. S. Reichard of Goshen, Indiana, spent Wednesday with John Schiltz and family. Rev. Reichard and the Schiltzes were old friends back in Ohio. He may accept a call of the Presbyterian Church in Walla Walla.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 13, 1895

An immense crowd at the ball grounds in this city last Saturday to witness the contest at football between Walla Walla and Waitsburg teams. The score was 8 to 4 in favor of the visiting team who are up to snuff when it comes to the technicalities of the game of football.

T. J. Hollowell and the Taylor Bros. this week sold their wheat, about 30,000 bushels, to the P. P. Mill Co. at 40 cents net. This is the best price thus far far obtained for this season's crop.

N. N. Spencer made this office a very pleasant call on Saturday, put some oil in our lamp, left a souvenir card in the shape of a jug of the finest cider that ever moistened a guzzle.