125 years ago

Jan. 29, 1892

Of course everyone in this part of the vineyard, with their sisters and their cousins and their aunts, know that there is now under construction a system of water-works, with which the city of Montesano is to be supplied with that fluid which Kentuckians are popularly supposed to use only for lavatory purposes, yet there are few who know what plan will be used in making the fluid available, or any of the particulars concerning the system. Knowing this to be so, The Vidette decided to ascertain the facts concerning an enterprise of such interest to this city, and give them to the public. Learning that J.K. Murphy, who is in charge of the work of construction, intended, in company with Hon. H.C. Cooper, making a trip of inspection over the line, representative of this paper requested the privilege of accompanying them, which was courteously accorded, and below will be found a statement of what was ascertained by the trip.

When the franchise was first granted to the company the idea was to put in a system by which the water would be pumped from the Sylvia creek, or lake, and over the hill into a reservoir, and, up to within a short time before work was commenced, that was the plan. Mr. J.K. Murphy and S.G. Simpson, however, while looking over the ground, concluded that it would be possible by fluming to bring the water to a distributing reservoir without pumping, and a preliminary survey confirmed the supposition. The plans were then changed to suit the new idea and the route was thoroughly surveyed out and established in accordance therewith.

Under the plan, which is now being worked out, there will be two reservoirs, one of which will be used for a storage reservoir and the other for distributing purposes. The source of the supply is the south branch of Sylvia creek, a typical mountain stream, whose waters are as clear, pure and cold as it would be possible to find, leaving nothing to be desired in that direction, and as the land for a long distance above the point where the stream is tapped is owned by the water company, there is no danger of the water becoming contaminated by impure drainage.

100 years ago

Jan. 26, 1917

Montesano Grammar School will stage its annual operetta this evening in the high school auditorium, the play being styled “Contest of the Nations.” Children from the primary to the eighth grades will participate in the production, about 100 appearing in the various numbers. The proceeds of the play will be used to buy pictures for the various grade rooms. The admission fee is 25 cents for adults and 15 cents children. The fine school auditorium should be filled to capacity and no doubt will be as the school plays are always well patronized.

The “Contest of the Nations” is a bright little production that will please every one who attends. Wee tots and older ones are heard in catchy songs and some very pretty folk dances are to be given. The brief synopsis of the affair follows:

In order to settle a dispute of long standing as to which nation excels in singing or dancing, a contest has been arranged in which representatives of various nations compete, through the medium of their favorite art, for the award of honor. The contest is presided over by the Spirit of Fair Play, a woman of gracious mien and impartial judgment, assisted by Lady Utopia, a woman of affairs. Finally, Miss Columbia, in an elaborate delineation of the progress of her country, in which she is assisted by historical American types, is unanimously awarded the prize.

The program begins at 8 p.m.

75 years ago

Jan. 29, 1942

Montesano is organizing to spur the sale of defense stamps and bonds.

A local committee, headed by Bert Cole, with the assistance of V. I. Whitney and Gaston Moch, is sending letters to more than 40 organizations, rural and city, asking that each name a special defense bond chairman to meet in the Odd Fellows’ hall at 8 o’clock February 19, to perfect a selling campaign.

“The government is seeking to place the sale of bonds and stamps on a more continuous basis,” said Cole, “in order to avoid ups and downs in the vital task of financing the war. Consequently, a strong effort will be made to impress all patriotic citizens with the necessity of making regular purchases, to the best of their ability, every month. In the past, sales have been very large in some months, and small in others, which places war financing on a too unstable basis.”

Already, court house employees have swung into action. Tuesday morning, as a result of a voluntary meeting in the commissioners’ room, court house employees agreed to conduct a campaign among themselves urging each such employee to purchase at least $6.75 worth of stamps each month, or an $18.74 bond every three months. This, it was explained, will be a minimum goal, inasmuch as a considerable number of court house employees already are purchasing more than that.

Former Mayor Horrocks of Aberdeen, who is county chairman of the drive, presented the problem to a group of Montesanans Monday.

50 years ago

Jan. 26, 1967

An outgunned but never shot-down Montesano basketball force, with five games remaining on its 1966-67 Central league slate, must capture four of them to finish at the .500 seasonal mark. Endowed with the same spirit which the Bulldogs exhibited in defeat last Thursday, they just might do it.

First on the challenging agenda will be Tenino, here at 8 p. m. Friday, Jan. 27.

A week ago in Raymond, where the league-leading Seagulls are next-to-impossible to subdue, Coach Jim Castleberry’s combatants moved merrily ahead for more than a quarter and continued to cause quite a stir for almost three quarters. They finally fell prey to a typical Raymond blitz and lost by a 60-38 margin.

With Terry Burke setting the pace by dumping the first basket, the Bulldogs stayed “up” for the entire opening period and held an 8-7 advantage at the end of it.

But towering Ken Hoffer, who registered 20 points for game high, could not be contained forever. He produced a pair of clutch buckets with less than a minute left in the half and the ‘Gulls went to the dressing room with a 27-21 edge.

If Monte had guessed there was to be such a Ford in their immediate future-Gene Ford, that is-settlement for a six-point loss might have been made. The Bulldogs are a try-harder lot, however, and they bounced back with a vengeance.

In fact, the visitors threatened to close the gap early in the third period, only to see the 6-foot 1-inch Ford dash their hopes by connecting on four consecutive field goals in the quarter’s late minutes. That was that-and the ‘Gulls carried a commanding 42-28 lead into the last stanza.

25 years ago

Jan. 23, 1992

Citizen participation in Winter Quarter programs has been overwhelming. With new activities starting periodically during the next several weeks, total enrollment is expected to reach 800. Although some classes are filled to capacity, we are still accepting registrations in many others. Winter is an excellent time of year to pursue a new interest or hobby. Other upcoming activities will be announced throughout the quarter, and more detailed information can be obtained by contacting the Community School office, phone 249-5781.

Over 100 people crowded the Montesano High School Library last Wednesday evening to learn Steelhead and Salmon fishing secrets from Master Angler, Chuck Greninger. The two-time Washington State record holder will offer a final session Wednesday, Jan. 29. There is still space available in Beginning and Intermediate Bench Step Aerobics on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

In other Community School news, Terri Barbour, Director of this year’s Youth Theatre Production, “Mystery of the Ming Tree,” reports that weekly rehearsals are proceeding smoothly. Terri has expressed continued amazement and satisfaction at the quality and amount of youth talent that exists within the community. Co-chairpersons, Lynne Glore and Kathi Wilson are currently preparing for the semi-annual Community School Auction to be held Saturday, April 25. This year’s event will be conducted in conjunction with the Montesano High School Booster Club.

10 years ago

Jan. 25, 2007

From building grassy fields at Beacon Park, uprooting trees along East Pioneer Avenue and even digging up Main Street, the Montesano City Council is poised to proceed with several major public work projects this spring.

“The Main Street project we’ve been planning on for awhile, we’re sort of positioned to be ready for that,” Mayor Dick Stone said. “The park piece is really to position ourselves to respond to some folks who have volunteered to do some work for us. We need to get prepared so that when they do get to work the volunteers will be seeing the biggest return for their time and effort.”

On Tuesday, the council authorized the mayor to spend up to $45,300 on engineering work at the future Beacon Park. The park project has stalled in recent years after falling short of 60 percent for bond issues at the polls. A complicated package of grants and interfund loans fell victim to the years-long process to obtain permits from the U.S. Army Corps of engineers to develop and mitigate for the sites emerging wetlands. Now the clock is ticking on those permits.

Parks Manager Mike Bruner and Public Works Director Mike Wincewicz told council members that once the preliminary engineering work is done, there are volunteers in the community willing to donate time and equipment to clear the land.