PIONEER PORTRAITS

Fifteen Years Ago

August 5, 2010

[Photo caption] TRADE SECRETS: Nicole West, an EMT with the Waitsburg Ambulance Service, shares safety tips with 4-year-old Dayton resident Tazie Betzler during Tuesday's Community Night Out in the Dayton City Park. Betzler returned the favor by telling West all about her temporary tattoo.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

August 3, 2000

Grain harvest in the Waitsburg and Prescott area is in full swing and yields and quality are reported to be excellent. Several yield reports received by J.E. McCaw, branch manager for Northwest Grain Growers in Waitsburg, indicate yields in the 115 to 120 bushel per acre range. "For those specific areas, it will be a very good year yield-wise, McCaw said. Regarding price, however, it is a different story. The soft white wheat price on Tuesday afternoon in Waitsburg was $2.15. An indicator of good quality is that some test weights have weighed in at over 65 lbs. per bushel, characterized as "phenomenal" by McCaw. Typical weights are 60 or 61, and a standard bushel is 60 lbs. Thicker straw associated with good wheat crops has not been reported to cause local farmers problems, McCaw added.

Fifty Years Ago

August 7, 1975

Famine is a fact of life in certain countries. In other countries, grain imports soar when crops fail. The story of population pressures upon an inadequate or poorly managed supply of agricultural land is no longer news. Yet there are more than half a million acres of land in central and eastern Washington that could be added to the world supply. What would it cost to bring these idle acres under cultivation? Do the returns justify the costs of developing sophisticated irrigation systems, and how would the resulting larger output affect Washington State? These questions are the focus of the first issue of "Agri-Trends," a quarterly journal published by the Economics Department of Rainier National Bank, Seattle. "Agriculture is one of Washington's most important industries and 'Agri-Trends' is devoted exclusively to the vital role it plays in our state's economy," said Edward R. McMillan, senior vice president and chief economist of the bank. "The publication will discuss its problems and prospects for people in all segments of the industry." The journal will be distributed by direct mail and available in limited numbers at those Rainier Bank offices handling agricultural business.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

August 11, 1950

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Kison and Mr. and Mrs. Jay Nisbet spent Sunday at the Scout Camp in the Wallowa Mountains. They were accompanied by Bruce Brunton and Bob Webber.

Queen Mary Ann Shaffer, fairest farmerette of the South Eastern Washington Fair, will leave for Seattle Saturday by Inland Airways to attend the Seattle Sea Fair.

Myron Colburn, former principal and athletic coach here, has accepted a position at Colville as superintendent.

One Hundred Years Ago

August 14, 1925

Postmaster Jas. H. Adams, M. H. Land, Ben Moore, and V. J. Kozisek spent Saturday and Sunday on the Little Joe River. They reported that fishing is good.

John Danielson moved his threshing outfit from the Mill Creek ranch up to the mountain ranch Monday after a very successful two-week run and a good yield of grain.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

August 17, 1900

Marcus Zuger, one of our prosperous farmers who lives west of town a few miles, made us his annual visit this week. Mr. Zuger is entirely through harvesting. His crop averaged 25 bushels.

Mrs. A. W. Philips arrived home last Saturday morning from her extended visit to eastern relatives and friends.

Mesdames Ada Cox and J. W. Bruce entertained at the home of Mrs. Cox on Thursday afternoon of this week. Quite a large number of ladies were present, and a pleasant time was reported.