Days of Yore for April 25, 2024
10 years ago—
Fossil Grade School students took an outing to Mayville to the Stinchfield log cabin. The students in grades 1-4 with teachers Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Burrows, had a host of questions with tasks to perform with information they gathered to go along with their studies of the Oregon Trail and pioneer life.
Rural counties in Oregon have struggled with financial woes in recent years, likely none so severely as Wheeler County. A native of Spray and graduate of Oregon State University, Trevor Humphreys has been hired as an economic development specialist for the county. He first became involved with rural development through the Rural Development Initiative of the Ford Family Foundation.
The building located at 310 South Main, which for the past 40 years has housed the Gilliam County Library, sold at Sheriff’s Sale as surplus for the minimum bid of $18,000. Jonna McKay of Condon, the sole bidder, was the buyer with plans to open an art studio. The building was built in 1903 as the First National Bank.
25 years ago—
Neill Steinhauer came to Mitchell to visit Leon and Linda Lincoln and visit Mitchell School. He showed the Mitchell track team about throwing the discuss and shotput because he was a professional shotput competitor for a long time.
The Wheeler High School’s Drama Department will present a production of the musical comedy, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”. Mark Osborn is in the role of Charlie, Kara Hoover as Snoopy, Lucy played by Christine Pack, and Linus by Matt Mortimore. Schroder will be portrayed by Mark Ward and Patty by Brandi Brinkley.
Alkali Park was dedicated in Arlington at a community ceremony on Earth Day, and a fast-growing Austrian Pine tree was planted that residents anticipate will become the community Christmas tree in a few years. The name of the park was submitted by fourth grade student Cori Mikkalo.
50 years ago—
In spite of the fact that just a light breeze was blowing Sunday, most of the kites entered in the kite flying contest, got off the ground. There were 25 participants in the Cooperative Arts contest, both children and adults, and it was difficult to tell who was having more fun. The award for the most creative kite was presented to Andrew Clark of Pendleton, a veterinarian, who has just moved to Pendleton from South Africa. His multi-colored tetrahedral kite was watched with awe by others as it gracefully ascended into the air.
“Please don’t look at the helicopters” is the advice being issued to Fossil residents. A series of television ads are being prepared for branch offices of the First National Bank of Oregon around the state. Fossil has been selected as the first area to be filmed. The filming will be done in helicopters and the advertising agency doing the filming has requested that the residents don’t walk down the street staring up at the helicopter.
75 years ago—
Spring having been officially announced, is modeling some very attractive numbers in the way of long and sunny days. Mrs. Tony Anderson and Mrs. Walter Britt, the neighborhood’s accepted “early birds” already announce the planting of early gardens. Take care, ladies! Jack Frost may have bought a return ticket.
Not so long ago, Mrs. Ed Hebert brought home several St. Patrick’s Day favors and when asked by daughter Connie if they were to have a birthday party, she said, “No. We’ll have a St. Patrick’s Day party sometime.” Nothing more was said, but being told at school that it was St. Patrick’s Day, Connie forthwith issued an invitation to her schoolmates and teacher to come to her house for a party. Mrs. Hebert, in the middle of cleaning her house after work that afternoon, was surprised when the whole first grade descended upon her. However, in no time at all, a festive table was set, candy, cookies and ice cream appeared and all pronounced it the nicest St. Patrick’s Day they can remember.
100 years ago—
The Fossil “Rinkydinks” are practicing, says the sporting editor of the Journal. The team’s manager has announced that his team wants games with Mayville, Lost Valley, Richmond, Winlock, Clarno and Twickenham. It is reported that Bill Mainord, star Rinkydink third baseman (who distinguished himself in a game with Twickenham by a brilliant dash to the wrong badger hole, for third base) will not sign up this season.
J.A. Miller, formerly mayor of the town of Fossil, Or. is in Portland for a few days, says the Oregonian. He is a retired farmer. The name of the town of Fossil always excites comment, for it is the only town in the world labeled in that manner. Near that place are extensive beds of fossils, remains of prehistoric monsters, and every once in a while, someone makes a find.
From Lonerock News Items: Mr. Spalding and Mr. Swett motored to Condon Sunday to try out the car they had purchased. They got back.
From the Condon Times 1909 —
Elton Clark and Tam Jackson gave us an interesting item about the stove in the old school house blowing up on Monday. The explosion blew a picture off the wall, nearly smothered Miss Ranney with smoke and frightened the children out of three months growth.
G.E. Townsend has traded a fruit farm at Mosier for the P.H. Stephenson house and lot on Johnson Avenue. The place was rented by Dr. Butler who must now take up his bed and walk. This is the third family that have had to make hasty moves in the past month, the houses they had rented being sold. The only way to be at peace is to buy a house. If you haven’t the money buy anyway.
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