125 years ago
April 13, 1894
If some people had done their thinking before voting, instead of afterwards, this county would have been to-day several billions of dollars better off. However, it is better to think afterwards, than not to think at all.
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F.P. Swinson is back into his old business again, having purchased the livery stable of T.L. Brewer. He will add some new rigs to the present outfit and will conduct a first-class stable. Mr. Brewer has not yet decided upon his future plans — but he will remain in Montesano at least for the present.
100 years ago
April 11, 1919
Mrs. G.H. Wartman entertained at cards Tuesday night a party of 23 guests at the Wartman home on North Third Street. The rooms were made very attractive with quantities of yellow daffodils.
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A trophy train containing many hundred interesting relics from the war will be in Montesano May 2 in the interest of the Victory Liberty Loan campaign, which will be on full blast at that time.
75 years ago
April 13, 1944
One who is well-known to every person being served at the Montesano post office, Mrs. Amy Rozen is no novice when it comes to knowing all about the U.S. Navy. Here is the reason — two sons and a son-in-law who are doing a swell job of representing Montesano at sea.
William H. Rozen, cm 3c, joined the Seabees in May 1942, and after boot camp training at Great Lakes, Illinois and Norfolk, Va., was sent to Dutch Harbor where he spend 13 months in naval construction work during and after the battle of Attu.
Boyd J. Rozen, soundman 2c, took his boot camp and sound school training at San Diego, California. Since June 1943 he has been serving in South Pacific waters on a submarine.
Son-in-law Wilfred E.Blasing, em 2c, enlisted in 1942, trained at Camp Farragut, Idaho, and since then was awarded a special eight months training at Washington, D.C. He has recently been assigned to an aircraft carrier and reports soon for duty at Bremerton.
50 years ago
April 10, 1969
Over 200 children ranging in age from 18 months (and some younger) to 10 years, participated in the annual VFW sponsored Easter Egg Hunt at the City Ball Park last Sunday. Winning the Golden Egg in the 2-4 year old bracket was Dana Daneker. Winner in the 5-6 year old group was Cindy Reams, while Larry Benedict won top honors and the egg for 7 and 8 year olds. Gathering the most eggs in the oldest age group was Chuck Nicholson, who found a total of eight.
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Wheeler School lunch menu for next week: Monday — Pork gravy and whipped potatoes, buttered beets, bread and butter, fruit cocktail and milk; Tuesday — Navy bean soup, cheese sticks, bread and butter, orange slices, graham crackers and milk; Wednesday — Sloppy Joes, buttered corn, pickles, potato chips, applesauce and milk; Thursday — Chicken noodle casserole, buttered peas and carrots, peanut butter sandwiches, jello and milk; Friday — Fish sticks, tarter sauce, buttered green beans, bread and butter, prune crunch and milk.
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Capital Savings and Loan Association, at 211 S. Main St. in Montesano, is offering 5.25% on $1,000 6 months silver certificate accounts. Just open a new savings account of $200.00 or more — or add $100.00 to your present account — and you may select you favorite rhododendron FREE. See them on display in our office.
25 years ago
April 14, 1994
Although Grays Harbor County, along with the cities of Grandview and Goldendale, is one of three final choices of the State Department of Corrections to site a new state prison that would house minimum to maximum security inmates, and the final decision as to site location is still down the road a considerable distance, those facts didn’t stop a large turnout of some 200-plus people at Montesano’s city hall Tuesday evening.
Doreen Geiger, Corrections Department acting assistant director for Policy, along with three other Corrections representatives, were on hand to explain the proposed facility if it is eventually constructed in Grays Harbor County.
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After sitting idle for some 20 years, with the exception of a short time when the county jail was being expanded in 1983-85, the old jail, originally constructed at the same time the county courthouse was built in 1911-12, will once again be used by Sheriff Dennis Morrisette to house short term or minimum security inmates, according to a resolution signed by the county commissioners Monday.
In explaining the move Morrisette told the board, “Overcrowding of the present facility is the reason we are asking for your approval to use the old jail. As an example,” he said,” back in 1979 when I became sheriff we were averaging 35 inmates daily. Now we often reach the maximum number allowed, which is 122, and on some weekends we have been known to have as many a 139.”
10 years ago
April 9, 2009
About 500 people packed the GH County Fairgrounds pavilion meeting room Monday to say goodbye to Clarence “Pete” Pearson, who countless people said had spent much of his life setting a standard for others.
Pearson, 71, an Elma native and 1955 Elma High School graduate, died March 26 at his home in Porter. He was especially remembered as a champion for FFA and young people.
His cousin (and former classmate) Mary Lou Rochon, said that after reading of so many of Pearson’s deeds in his obituary, she thought, “If we all could do that much for so many people in our own lives, it’d certainly be well worth it.”
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Dr. Samantha Ritchie, a family medicine physician at McCleary’s Mark Reed Healthcare Clinic, has received the Washington Rural Health Association’s Outstanding Rural Health Practitioner award for 2009.
Renée Dunham, Mark Reed’s chief executive officer, accepted the award for Ritchie. The doctor, who makes yearly trips to help impoverished areas in the world, was in the remote Haitian village of Thomazeau at the time.
In 10 years at the McCleary clinic, Ritchie has implemented several programs to improve the quality and access to health care for East Grays Harbor residents including a diabetes education program, psychiatric services and a Suboxone program for those fighting opiate dependence.
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Using solid pitching, an overwhelming offense and a tight defense, Montesano swept Winlock, 13-0 and 15-0, in a 1A Evergreen League fastpitch doubleheader on Monday, April 5 at Winlock.
Monte pitcher Devyn Baker struck out 13 in a no-hit performance in the opener, while tallying four RBIs. Aubree Pocklington pounded out three hits and two RBIs for the Bulldogs.
Compiled from the archives of The Vidette by Karen Barkstrom. She can be reached at 360-537-3925 or kbarkstrom@thedailyworld.com.
