125 years ago
February 23, 1894
HOW IS IT —
That a man who toots his horn the loudest usually says the least.
That a thirty minute sermon becomes tiresome to the person who can dance until 3 o’clock in the morning?
That any one will drink whiskey and at the same time complain that his taxes become delinquent?
That by the third time any report is repeated, the story would not by recognized by its author?
***
A very unusual sight was witnessed Wednesday evening, when owing to the remarkable clearness of the atmosphere, the Cascade mountains were plainly seen.
100 years ago
February 21, 1919
Mrs. Alice Pike, seventh grade teacher, was sick yesterday. Deputy Superintendent Johnson took her classes in the Montesano school.
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A large crowd of loyal Montesano basketball fans journeyed to Olympia last Friday night and witnessed one of the most exciting games of the season. It was close and well played, and several of the team distinguished themselves by their remarkable playing. Montesano was victorious by a score of 27 to 23.
***
A. H. Kuhn of Hoquiam has purchased the Dr. Salisbury stock in the Montesano National Bank and has been made vice president of the institution, Dr. F. L. Carr announced yesterday.
75 years ago
February 24, 1944
Pvt. Walter James of Montesano is spending what he doesn’t describe as a vacation, in New Guinea, where he is attached to an anti-aircraft battery.
“We are in no spot recommended for a convalescent home,” he writes, “but the only time my nerves get a workout is during a raid or at night on guard. There are still some loose ones running around here. This place is really shelled, tops of trees blown off, holes everywhere.”
“The (remaining Japanese soldiers) must not have been very well informed about the war. They said we would never take a lot of places we already had taken, that they were closing in on California and the U.S. would not last long. Poor fools. They look half starved.”
James reports he saw Hank Sader, another Montesano boy, recently. He is with the Seabees, who have been having their share of activity. He also had heard from Ted Mouncer of Satsop, who is in the Mediterranean theater.
50 years ago
February 20, 1969
In the “Duke’s Mixture” column: There are days when I really wonder what “our” generation is coming to. We wonder and speculate about the “younger generation,” and we tell them, “Think for yourselves, form opinions, let us, the older generation, know what you are thinking.” But inwardly, and possibly unconsciously, we say, “Think as we think, form the opinions of which we approve and the ones we know are right. We, too, have made mistakes, but they are righteous mistakes.”
***
Spc. Allan Lickiss of Montesano was honored recently at a homecoming party at the Charles Casey home in South Montesano, with approximately 50 relatives and friends present.
The serviceman is home on a 30-day leave after a year in Vietnam, where he was a welder with the 160th and 618th H.E.M. Co. near Qui Nhan.
He helped in the building of an all-steel welded 250,000 gallon water tank at Phu Cat Air Base, for which he received letters of appreciation from the Air Force colonel and a “job well done” commendation from the Army.
***
Now playing at the Graham Theatre, in Elma, with shows starting at 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Walt Disney’s “Never a Dull Moment” starring Dick Van Dyke, Edward G. Robinson and Dorothy Provine.
25 years ago
February 24, 1994
If You Ask Me, question of the week: “Do you think ‘Three Strikes and Out’ is a good law?”
Susan Troy, Hoquiam, pharmaceutical technician: “I think its a good move. The present law isn’t strong enough to keep those felons who continue to break the law off the streets. Three strikes and out should keep them in jail.”
Troy Stillwell, Montesano, insurance agent: “Yes, I like it. I believe it’s a very good way to keep habitual offenders off the streets. I’m really not too keen on some of the gun control ideas that are floating around.”
Tami Fullerton, Aberdeen, secretary: “I like the idea. That way it is now, they just keep putting the criminals back on the streets. This law would deter that.”
John Marx, Hoquiam, auto mechanic: “Yes, I think that it’s a good law. As far as I’m concerned, once a person is judged to be a habitual criminal he or she should be locked up for good.”
***
In the not too distant future, the intersection of Main and Pioneer streets in Montesano is going to take on a new look, one that will be quite similar to that of a big city, when new traffic signal lights are installed, according to Mike Oliphant of Parametrix Engineering, the city’s engineering firm. Parametrix will submit a work plan for the project which will include the new traffic lights, new sidewalks with handicap ramps, and, in all probability, a left turn lane on Main Street for both north and south bound traffic.
10 years ago
February 19, 2009
Last year, Councilman Jim Sorensen of Elma asked the city’s police chief, Jeff Troumbley, for ideas on how the city could reduce expenses. The chief told him about a volunteer program that does just that — and more.
Volunteers in Policing not only saves valuable time and funds, it’s also a vital service to the community, says Sorensen, who became a VIP himself last July.
Elroy Papke agrees.
A strapping 73-year-old retired military veteran who also retired after 24 years with the State of Hawaii, Papke — “8 Victor 1 on the police radio” — has been with the VIPs for about three years.
Last year, Elma VIPs served more than 700 hours, Troumbley told the city council. And with a few more volunteers, “there’s a lot of things we could do,” Papke said.
***
With four players reaching double figures in scoring, Elma easily knocked off Centralia 59-31 in a Class 2A Evergreen Conference girls basketball match-up at Elma’s High School Gymnasium on Senior Night, Tuesday.
Brandi Thomas, Katie Colard, Mackenzie Hargadon and Carly Meiser each scored at least 10 points for the Eagles, with Thomas and Colard going for 18 and 16 respectively.
***
The first quarter was a toss-up, the second belonged to Elma, while the third reverted back to Black Hills. The final period was again a tight one, but a late Garrett Stoney flurry gave the Eagles a boost to a 51-47 2A Evergreen Conference boys basketball match-up on Friday at Elma’s High School Gymnasium.
“We have a heck of a crowd here,” Elma head coach Marvin Prince said. “We talked all year long about us having the fan support. We just needed to give them something to cheer about. We haven’t had many opportunities to play with the lead late, but we finally executed and got the right people at the foul line at the right time. (Jace) Shelton is the guy we want on the foul line in that time.”
Compiled from the archives of The Vidette by Karen Barkstrom. She can be reached at kbarkstrom@thedailyworld.com or 360-537-3925.
