125 years ago
December 22, 1893
The great “Elma Debating Club” Tuesday night wrestled with the question, “Resolved, there should be no titles to land except for occupation and cultivation.” Decided in favor of the affirmative after a very interesting discussion.
***
Tom Morgan shipped a bear to his relatives in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, for their Christmas dinner. It was a fine specimen, and will be appreciated there where bear meat is a luxury.
***
A pocketbook was found on the street the other day and handed to us until the owner called for it, which was not long. We knew it belonged to a lady as soon as we opened it. We had never seen so many little conveniences for a woman’s toilet in so small a receptacle — there being about everything from buttons to a breastpin.
100 years ago
December 20, 1918
Trained hunters and trappers, men who know the ways of predatory animals and understand their habits, are employed by the government now in this state and Oregon, killing off the coyotes.
It is probable a hunter will soon be located in this county for a short time. It is believed this enemy of sheep and fowls can be entirely exterminated on the west side of the mountains.
***
H.B. Marcy store is advertising suggestions for Christmas gifts: For father — knives, razors, a handy tool, fishing rod or basket. For mother — a set of dishes, aluminum kitchen ware, water set, silverware or carving sets. For the kiddies — war tanks, armoured cars, tool sets, war ships, building blocks, trains and railway tracks, little tables and dishes.
75 years ago
December 23, 1943
Grays Harbor County’s 16,614 housewives could feed 3,658 soldiers for a year with the food wasted annually in homes of the county, an official of the country’s leading food distributor estimated today.
This amazing figure is based on accurate government statistics which indicate that at least 1,011,108 pounds of food are wasted annually in Grays Harbor County.
Kitchen efficiency should include three points: (1) Buy as nearly as possible just the required amount; (2) serve moderate amount; (3) use all leftovers.
While it is obvious that waste cannot be prevented entirely, the official added, carefully planned conservation should cut the loss in half and thus 1,829 soldiers could be fed with the resulting savings in homes of this
***
“Bill” Marlow, former employee of the McCleary plant and now in the Navy, has recently been reported safe after an earlier report had listed him as missing, when his ship was sunk in the Pacific.
Marlow has been in the service since 1940, being employed here after leaving his former home in Clarksville, Arkansas, and was serving on a tanker when the enemy torpedo struck. He drifted on a raft for several days before being rescued.
Due to the similarity of his name to that of the McCleary lad, Arthur J. Morrow, also listed as missing last week, many local people have confused stories emanating from headquarters, concerning both. No further word on young Morrow has been received at this time.
50 years ago
December 19, 1968
Elma has a new mayor. At last Monday’s city council meeting, Orville Boling gave up his position as mayor in order to accept his new position as county commissioner. Councilman Aubra Vaughn was elected by the councilmen to fill the unexpired term of office.
Boling thanked the council and city officials for the help and cooperation they had given him while he was in office. He said, “It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with you these past years.”
***
All Montesano stores will remain open to 9 p.m. through Monday, December 23. As planned now, the various merchants will close at 6 p.m., Tuesday, the 24th, while some of the downtown businesses intend to keep their establishments open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, December 22.
***
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Merrin, new proprietors of the Central Park Grocery, have come to the area from Tacoma, where they were employees of Boeing. They also operate a branch post office in the store.
Their family includes Jim, who works for Weyerhaeuser, and Karolyn, a senior at Weatherwax High School.
The Merrins plan to enlarge the parking area and to eventually expand the store. Mrs. Merrin says, “We have never before lived in such a friendly area.”
25 years ago
December 23, 1993
Satsop Community United Methodist Church will have a joint celebration with the Elma United Methodist Church on Christmas Eve. After the service, many of the participants will view the work of Faun Dotson and friends in illuminating the Satsop Cemetery. From about 4 p.m. until the first light on Christmas Day, the lights and swags will make this a place of sacred and happy memories, everyone is invited to experience this beautiful scene.
***
If You Ask Me, question of the week: “Have you finished your Christmas shopping?”
Candi Unis, Elma, 911 dispatcher: “I still have lots of shopping to do yet, and I’ll probably still be doing it on Christmas Eve.”
Nick Bosler, McCleary, retired: “No, I haven’t even started my shopping, but it shouldn’t take too long. I don’t have that many people that I’ll be shopping for this year.”
Dorothy Lewis, Elma, cashier: “Yes, I’m all through with it, and I think it’s the first year I’ve been able to accomplish that feat. I have to start early simply because I have five children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. That takes a lot of time.”
Jim Ayres, Tumwater, civil engineer: “I’m about half done right now, and I hope I can finish before Christmas Eve. In the past, I’ve still been shopping on that day.”
10 years ago
December 18, 2008
Wintry weather notwithstanding, Montesano and Elma high school students brought in donations amounting to more than 103,785 pounds in this year’s Food Ball competition. The trophy, housed at Elma since last year’s competition, returned to Montesano since the Bulldogs brought in the winning amount of 15,720 pounds of food and $22,895.38 in cash.
***
Surging in the second and third quarters, Elma racked up a sizable lead and rode it out to a 64-47, 2A Evergreen Conference girls basketball victory over Aberdeen on Thursday at Aberdeen’s Sam Benn Gymnasium.
Utilizing seven three-pointers, Elma’s Katie Colard topped all scorers with 25 points, while teammate Brandi Thomas added 15 of her own to go with 16 rebounds and five blocks.
Elma’s Carly Meister registered a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Mackenzie Hargadon was credited with 12 rebounds and four blocked shots in the win.
Compiled from the archives of The Vidette by Karen Barkstrom. She can be reached at kbarkstrom@thedailyworld.com or 360-537-3925.
