PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

November 27, 2014

Paul Hendrickson began working at Elk Drug in downtown Dayton in 1968. He and his wife, Marcene, purchased the business in 1979 when the pharmacy was 90 years old. Now, nearly 47 years later, Hendrickson has concluded his career as a pharmacist and has retired – for the second time. He is followed by long-time employees Sherry Groom and Kathy Berg. "I feel blessed to have had such loyal employees and customers- from both Dayton and Waitsburg – over the years," Hendrickson said. The Hendricksons sold Elk Drug to Sean and Andee Thurston in April 2011, and Paul retired from full-time work but remained part-time to help as a pharmacist until his official retirement on August 31. "I had a nice transition period," Hendrickson said. "Now it's time for the newer generation to take over. I've been greatly blessed with good mental and physical health and want to spend time with family and enjoy some freedom we haven't had in a long time." Both Groom and Berg worked at Elk Drug for over three decades, starting when the now-125-year-old establishment was still located on the corner of 2nd and E. Main streets (where Columbia County Public Health is now).

Twenty-Five Years Ago

November 25, 1999

Operation Christmas Child, a program to reach out to needy children in desperate situations around the world and share the love and Good News of Jesus Christ, was again a success in Waitsburg. In November 1998, 26-30 shoeboxes for children in Romania were shipped from folks in Waitsburg and around the country. This year, 30 boxes from Waitsburg were filled with a practical outpouring of love. Operation Christmas Child is an extension of Samaritan's Purse, a nonprofit Christian relief and evangelism organization. Samaritan's Purse decides each year where boxes are needed, which are delivered in time for Christmas giving.

Fifty Years Ago

November 28, 1974

Nine members braved the icy temperatures of the Bruce House Monday evening for the last Historical Board meeting until January. Orin Walker completed the planting of tulip bulbs around the front of the house on Monday. The Camp Fire Girls have planted a small evergreen in the front yard. Mrs. Lloyd Michels of San Jose, Ca. has given to the Society a very lovely piano which belonged to her aunt the late Mrs. Oscar Porter. The piano was purchased by her mother in 1902. According to the sales receipt, a set of quilting frames and stands was also received from the Porter estate. Mrs. Frank Danielson has donated the grinding burr from the old Loundagin castor mill, and it has been moved to the Bruce House.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

December 2, 1949

Grace Nees, Wait-Hi junior, sang with Norm Bannister's western band over KUJ Wednesday evening on their regular Trailblazer program. C.F. Donley is purchasing the Carroll Duff property (former Price home) west of the city limits and plans to move in the near future. Students will be served hot lunches in the new grade school cafeteria on Monday, according to Supt. Leslie Taylor.

One Hundred Years Ago

December 5, 1924

Ernest Mikkelsen is going into the hog-raising business along with his farming operations. The Commercial Club went on record as unanimously endorsing the building of a public swimming pool at Preston Park at their meeting Tuesday night.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 1, 1899

Married- Walter Price and Miss Ella Minnick were married at the Christian Church in this city at 8 o'clock Wednesday evening, Rev. L. C. Martin officiating. T.M. McKinney has opened his law office in the building occupied by Houtchens and Holloway just across from the Merchants Bank for the present, where he will be pleased to see friends. Mr. Wesley Starr of Huntsville recently sold a team of horses to George Clark of Spokane, who owns a full sister to the team just bought. Wesley thinks that $600 is a very fair price for a team he had been offering at $225.