PIONEER PORTRAITS

Fifteen Years Ago

December 9, 2010

[photo caption] Members of the Waitsburg Boy Scouts Troop #336 pet Cougar, the iconic feline fixture at the Waitsburg Hardware & Mercantile Store. Each year, the troop picks a service project and this year they are collecting pet food for the store's animal adoption program and that of the Blue Mountain Humane Society in Walla Walla through Dec. 17. From left to right; Seamus House, Tom House, Koby Harris, Cason Nichols, Wyatt Matthews and Brayden Wood want you to bring your donated pet food of any kind to the hardware store. For more information, call Christy House at (509) 337-6009.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 7, 2000

Charlee Long, daughter of Jake and Michelle Long, carried the flag Sunday evening to lead the Hometown Christmas Parade, termed by many, as the best yet. The weather was chilly but dry. Participants included Joseph, Mary on Archie, and one reluctant sheep; Jr. High marching band; Mid-Columbia Irish Wolf Hound Club; Days of Real Sport float with Queen Melissa Cole and Princesses Sarah Huether and Ann Froese; 4 Paws Dog Obedience Club; Commercial Club float; Peach Island Riders from Milton-Freewater; Frank Thomas and grandkids; Jack McCulloch representing For Wall Walla Museum; Fields Gulch VW Bug Club; Des Witt and Debbie Fortner; Rainbow Girls float; Baker-Boyer Bank float, two units; Waitsburg Ambulance, 2 units; Waitsburg FFA, five four-wheelers; and the Seventh Street Ranchero Club with Bill Thompson and Jessie Winnett. They "only do parades." All units were lighted and added a real sparkle to the evening.

Fifty Years Ago

December 11, 1975

Waitsburg Council discussed the details, then passed a preliminary budget of $286,547.50 for the 1976 year. Some of the items that came up during the discussion were in relationship to the revenue from rentals at the Days of Real Sport, the proposed replacement lines to a pair of city wells, and a possible CB unit for the city. Another item the City pondered was whether to make a charge to the Waitsburg Ambulance Service for lights, heat and storage for the ambulance. Council hears a report indicating progress on the sewage plant study being conducted by Cheng Chang, engineer with Gray and Osborne, Yakima. Bids for a new solid waste truck will be called for on January 7, 1976. A short discussion of abandoned cars on the County lot in downtown Waitsburg was held. It was agreed to contact the owner. Council will meet with Fire District Number 2 to write up a plan or agreement concerning the city's share in the pension plan. Council felt that the agreement between the City and District 2 should be formalized.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

December 15, 1950

A new neon sign was installed Monday for the Waitsburg Variety and Gift Shop. The store now operated by Mr. and Mrs. Jess Johnson was formerly known as Ritter's Variety.

Thirty-four attended the party last Friday evening for the Presbyterian Young Couples at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Seaton, who were assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Leid.

One Hundred Years Ago

December 18, 1925

J. W. Warren recently sold three cars of potatoes to the Walla Wals Produce Co. at a good price.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 21, 1900

Chas Jones and Fred Rinehart sold 2,800 bushels of blue stem wheat to the Preston-Parton Mill Co. on Tuesday for 42 cents per bushel f.o.b.

The quarantine was raised from the residence of J. G. Evanson Wednesday morning, that case of smallpox having entirely recovered. Our city now has no cases of smallpox.