125 years ago
December 8, 1893
Within the past two weeks five dray licenses have been taken out, and the city treasury is $100 better off as a result.
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An entertainment and fair will be given in the Dabney block, Aberdeen, on the 14th, 15th and 16th December next, by the Dominican Sisters, for the benefit of St. Joseph’s hospital. The sisters have prepared a very handsome assortment of fancy goods, needlework and hand painted ivorine ornaments which will be on sale or offered as prizes.
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J.N. Porter,who has been in the hospital in Aberdeen for the past two weeks, came up to Montesano yesterday and expects to go to his ranch on North River in a few days. While he is very much improved in health, he is still far from well, Mr. Porter commends St. Joseph’s hospital and its management very highly.
100 years ago
December 6, 1918
The Northwest Electric & Water Works is this week moving one unit of its power plant to the Red Mill where it is equipping a plant to insure Montesano sufficient power and light at all times and in all seasons.
Manager Kinkaid said this morning: “One trouble at the shingle mill plant has been the occasioned difficulty in getting sufficient fuel. Under the new arrangement we will have plenty of fuel to keep both plants going and in case of accident or emergency, one or the other of the plants will always be in running order.
“The lake at the Sylvia plant will also be kept full of water and ready for instant use in case the need arises.
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When I heard John Olson say he’d rather have a chicken than turkey, I thought it was “sour grapes” but it wasn’t. He just had a better memory of the warmed over turkey, cold turkey, turkey hash and turkey soup that most of us have.
75 years ago
December 9, 1943
The Red Cross is sponsoring a drive for thousands of dozens of cookies in this county, for service folks stationed nearby, and if you will make some, the Red Cross and the rationing board will see that you get sugar returned for every ounce you use of your precious rationed sugar.
Montesano has been asked to make 150 dozen. Mrs. J.M. Landon will collect them at her house here Dec. 14 and 16 and dish out the sugar for you to take home. Christmas week with Mrs. Lois Anderson, Aberdeen Red Cross worker, distribution will be made. It is planned to have canteen girls accompany them to the different camps and serve hot chocolate with the cookies.
50 years ago
December 5, 1968
The entire carport at the Monte Villa Apartments collapsed during the height of a winter storm that dumped more than an inch of rain on Montesano during an eight hour period early Tuesday. There were no injuries. However, the three cars pinned under the roof of the structure, the Vidette car included, had to be towed away.
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A total of 57,698,180 board feet of logs were loaded onto 12 vessels at the Port of Grays Harbor facilities during the month of October. Of this amount, 25,381,188 board feet were loaded at Terminal 4, the two year old facility.
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An estimated 300 persons attended the annual Firemen’s Ball last Wednesday evening at the Montesano Fire Hall. While the revelers danced the evening away, “Cap” Wertz stood by the radio in the event an emergency arose. The Ball this year, commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Montesano Volunteer Fire Department.
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The Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office received complaints this last week that vandals had stolen approximately $350 worth of equipment from the construction site of the Devonshire Bridge.
According to the contractor, “A raft and a new coil of rope had been stolen from the site.”
At the same time it was reported that vandals had also broken windows in a truck that had been parked at the site over the weekend.
25 years ago
December 9, 1993
On Tuesday, December 7, the Lions Club of Montesano paid tribute to Jack Boyer and Leonard Bowe, scoutmaster and assistant scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 16, sponsored for many years by the Montesano Lions Club.
Jack presented slides of his troop’s activities in the beautiful Olympic Mountains. Jack lead these scouts through the valleys, mountains, lakes and snowfields from Hurricane Ridge at Port Angeles to the Quinault Lake. Several of these trips were in excess of 50 miles with 15 to 25 scouts at time.
As a surprise to Jack, two of his Eagle Scouts attended the meeting; Rorrie Barrieth and Dr. Bob Stewart, both of whom were under his leadership on most if not all of his trips through the Olympics. The records confirmed that Jack covered 2,500 plus miles with Troop 16.
Rorrie Barrieth is now the father of an Eagle Scout and assisting in scouting with his son’s troop. Bob Stewart, a veterinarian in Hazel Dell, is now retired as a Navy Lt. Commander, having served as hard hat diver and salvage officer in the Pacific on a Navy salvage ship.
Both of them expressed their appreciation to scouting and in particular to their Scoutmaster Jack Boyer and his assistant, Leonard Bowe.
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Tim Scherer was selected Volunteer of the Month for September by the Montesano Community School Council. For an unprecedented second consecutive year, Tim stepped forward to serve as team leader and general chairperson for the 1993 Festival of People. He recruited, organized and coordinated a group of volunteers who put forth maximum effort to conduct an outstanding community event.
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If You Ask Me, question of the week: “What is your preference for a household pet?”
Kat Scherer, Montesano, fifth grade student: “A dog. There really isn’t any special reason. I just like dogs.”
Omar Parker, Hoquiam, attorney: “A dog. As far as I’m concerned, dogs are loyal, friendly and make a great companion.”
Jenny Fisher, Hoquiam, civil engineer technician: “It would be a cat. They have integrity and know it.”
Tim Scherer, Montesano, forest engineer: “A rabbit. They can stay outdoors more and that would suit me.”
10 years ago
December 4, 2008
Nine Christmas “angels,” including Jerry Chadwick and Jerry Hliboki, prepared 95 boxes Monday for soldiers stationed from the Montesano Armory, now serving a year’s tour in Iraq. The boxes are stuffed with candy, gum, jerky, nuts, Craisins, and raisins, aspirin, hygiene items, chip dips, powered drink and cocoa mixes, Chapstick, crackers and tuna, knitted caps, magazines, local newspapers, and more. Postage was $10.95 a box. Sponsored by VFW Post 2455, Hliboki and his crew are also planning a Christmas dinner for the troops’ loved ones and future packages for the soldiers.
Compiled from the archives of The Vidette by Karen Barkstrom. She can be reached at kbarkstrom@thedailyworld.com or 360-537-3925.
