125 years ago
November 3, 1893
J.R. Birdwell, of the Wynooche valley, lost all his wheat this season. It got wet before being threshed, and spoiled in the granary.
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A few days ago, we overheard a gentleman deploring the fact that there was a noticeable lack of manliness among some of the boys he knew. He stopped talking long enough to light a cigarette — probably a thing those “unmanly boys’ would be too manly to do.
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Hallowe’en was duly observed by the boys Tuesday night. Misplaced signs and gates exchanged was about the extent of the damage done. These same old tricks indulged in year after year, without variation, have long ceased to be funny. Yet, if the boys really enjoy it, not one will complain as long as property is not damaged.
100 years ago
November 1, 1918
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Hayes, both well known to many in this community, have both died within the past three weeks, leaving a family of three little children, orphans. The home was at Vader.
Mrs. Hayes, formerly Miss McDonald and a sister of Ernest McDonald of this city, was for some time employed as stenographer for J.A. Hutcheson. Mr. Hayes was formerly employed as a weaver in one of the shingle mills here before their move to Vader.
Mrs. Hayes was first taken with the Spanish influenza and died about three weeks ago. Mr. Hayes came down with the disease later and died about a week ago.
Mrs. Hayes has relatives in Tacoma, and though it is not known, it is thought the children may have been taken there.
75 years ago
November 4, 1943
The coming 50th annual Thanksgiving Ball to be sponsored by the Montesano Volunteer Fire Department on the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 24, will honor C.N. “Bud” Wilson, sole surviving charter member of the organization, Mrs. Wilson, and Frank W. Byles, who fifty years ago were active in the affairs of the fire fighting organization.
While the first meeting of the organization was held Aug. 1, 1892, it was on Nov. 6, 1894, that Bud Wilson, as secretary, recorded the appointment of a committee to arrange the first Thanksgiving Ball, which was a masquerade affair.
As secretary Wilson recorded many interesting details of the early organization.
Attendance rules were strict, according to the records, and members who were absent unexcused for three consecutive times were dropped from the rolls. Replacements were proposed and a complete ritual of acceptance and initiation took much of the time of the firemen at their meetings.
50 years ago
October 31, 1968
In what was apparently a first for the Harbor area, grocery stores in Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Montesano and Elma closed their doors at 6 p.m. Monday until further notice. The closure was brought on when members of the Retail Clerks Local 629 began picketing after negotiations on a contract fell.
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Mr. and Mrs. Scotty Cookston of Montesano were among 700 couples visiting Mexico and the 1968 Olympic Games, as guests of the Autolite-Ford Parts Division of Ford Motor company. Cookston, of Brumfield & Tidwell Inc., was the winner in a national sales contest conducted by the division.
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Buford Goeres has set up his cider press in his yard and plans a Cider Party for the Satsop Methodist Church group Saturday afternoon, Nov. 2. His apples are ready, so everyone attend and see how cider is made. Bring a jug or jar with you to take home a sample.
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At a special meeting last Monday, the Port of Grays Harbor Commissioners accepted the resignation of Commissioner John Yearout, and at the same time appointed long time harbor resident Hans Bielski to the post. Bielski, 50, is president and manager of Fern Hill Cemetery, and recently served on the Board of Freeholders who drew up the proposed Aberdeen City Charter.
Bielski, who was born in Berlin, has resided in the harbor city for the last 43 years. A graduate of Weatherwax High School, he also attended Grays Harbor College and Washington State College. He and his wife, the former Velma Austin, have three children.
25 years ago
November 4, 1993
The Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment held their 1993 Awards Program & Breakfast in Lynnwood on Oct. 19. Among those awarded were:
AARO Medical of Aberdeen, recognized for creating work assessment opportunities. This employer has demonstrated a willingness to be flexible, supportive and realistic in evaluating employees with disabilities. They have established cooperative relationships with Timberland Opportunities and the Department of Services for the Blind.
Whitney’s Chevrolet and Oldsmobile of Montesano, recognized for their tenacious effort in hiring people with disabilities. For a business with less than thirty employees in an economically depressed region of the country, this effort is commendable.
Recognized at the breakfast were Bruce Thompson of AARO Medical and Stormy Glick of Whitney’s.
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Carmin Lyons and Ryan Holliday, both seniors at MHS, were introduced at halftime last Friday evening during the Bulldogs 35-21 conquest of the Elma Eagles, as Homecoming Queen and King for 1993. They were crowned at the annual homecoming dance held in the MHS Commons on Saturday night.
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If You Ask Me, question of the week: “Who has been our nation’s most effective first lady?”
Walter Meek, Montesano, senior center director: “Barbara Bush. She seemed to have a calming effect for most people. She was down to earth and had a great deal of common sense.”
Kathy Ruiz, Montesano, cook: “I’d pick Nancy Reagan. I think that she was definitely down to earth and a champion of women’s causes.”
Les Berger, Montesano, retired: “Hilary Clinton, without a doubt. I think she was intelligent, hard working, outspoken and I believe that she is the first first lady to really do anything at all while her husband is still in office.”
Barbara Grigsby, Montesano, hair stylist: “I’d have to say Hilary Clinton. She is very intelligent, isn’t afraid to get involved and appears to be quite influential.”
10 years ago
October 30, 2008
Mary Frances Lewis, who teaches French, English as a Second Language and choir at Montesano Jr./Sr. High School has been honored by her peers for leadership.
Lewis — known simply as “Mary Fran” to just about everyone — received the 2008 Inspirational Leadership Award from the Washington Association for Language Teaching. The award was presented during a banquet Oct. 10 in Vancouver.
Lewis said she is flattered to be singled out by her peers, but told her students she thinks it’s Montesano in general that’s also being recognized. It’s unusual for a small, rural school district to offer more than one foreign language, she said, and the district’s commitment to foreign language course offerings sets it apart.
“I think this award is for all of us,” she said.
Compiled from the archives of The Vidette by Karen Barkstrom. She can be reached at kbarkstrom@thedailyworld.com or 360-537-3925
