Yesteryears: Odell Rural Fire Protection District receives new fire trucks in 1955

1925 — 90 years ago

At the request of the Hood River Hospital Association, the Chamber of Commerce has called a meeting of representatives from the various civic organizations, lodges, granges, etc., to discuss plans for the financing and building of an adequate community hospital in this city. The next meeting will be held next Tuesday in the County Library hall.

With both houses of the legislature having passed favorably on the branch experimental station for this county, all that now remains is to find the necessary revenue to permit this and other projects to be put into operation. An approximation of $7,000 per year for the next two years has been sanctioned by the legislature, and the county has authorized an approbation for the purchase of a suitable tract.

Washington’s Birthday, which was on Sunday, was celebrated in the local schools in an appropriate manner on Monday. Downtown, the banks were closed, but it was “business as usual” elsewhere. Quite a number of country club enthusiasts improved the day by loading and unloading sand to improve the golf course.

Washington’s Birthday was observed at Junior High on Monday by an assembly from 9 to 10. Proceedings opened with a pledge to the flag, followed by the singing of America. Miss Helen Jones favored with a group of colonial songs, being accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Vera Kolstad. The next number was a minuet by eight boys and girls, accompanied by a group singing The Minuet, with Frances Sherwood at the piano. All the dancers were beautifully attired in the colonial style. Dr. Fraser next addressed the assembly on the Personalities of Washington. Mrs. Kolstad played several piano solos, which were very much appreciated. The first and last stanzas of the “Star Spangled Banner” were then sung and the assembly was dismissed.

— Hood River News, February 27, 1925

1935 — 80 years ago

With the new fall of snow on Mount Hood last week, skiing conditions on the mountain are now better than they have been all winter, according to Crag Rat Fuller, who, with Bob Barker and “Rusty” Fowler, made the trip from the junction to the Hut on Tilly Jane creek by way of the ride trail last Sunday. Several inches of new snow on top of the semi-ice beneath made skiing fast and delightful.

A huge tank, to hold fuel oil supply of the Hood River Distillery, arrived in town Tuesday evening, after its journey over the Columbia River highway from the Willamette Valley. Ahead of the big truck which carried the tank was a pilot car, carrying red flags. Equipment at the distillery is being installed and indications are that the test runs will be made on schedule.

1945 — 70 years ago

Joe Young and Wilber C. Anderson, in charge of waste paper and tin can salvage in this county, report outstanding results in the recent drive. During the period from Feb. 18 to 23, paper collected weighed 50.725 tons, and 5,095 tons of tin cans were collected and shipped.

The largest steel barge to be built at Mark Nichols’ plant at the city mole took to the water at a launching at 1 p.m. last Saturday, and will shortly be on its way to Portland for installation of motors and equipment. No. 7 is a 48-foot long steel barge. No. 8, a 70-foot steel barge, is now under construction at the Nichols’ plant, and is furnishing employment to a large crew of workers. Mark Nichols believes that, even after the war is over, there will be a continuing demand for vessels of this and similar types and that his important local industry will be a continuing one.

1955 — 60 years ago

Jim Rich turned in a bit of fancy stepping Saturday afternoon. He was delivering fuel to a customer when he noticed a car headed toward the Hood River Bridge on the downhill grade of east State Street. A small child stood behind the wheel of the moving vehicle and Jim decided to investigate. He ran to the car, opened the door and found three other children playing on the front floorboard. A bit of fancy stepping was required before Jim found the brake pedal.

Odell rural fire protection district has received its first of two new fire trucks to replace the combination tanker-pumper and 500-gallon tanker destroyed during a fire on December 3. The first truck was delivered Tuesday morning to the new fire station. Chief Ken Palmer reports the new 1,000-gallon pumper mounted on a Ford F-800 chassis cost $10,500, excluding hose and radio.

1965 — 50 years ago

Panoma Grangers spent most of Saturday commemorating a landmark in its history — the 50th anniversary date. Local unit members were joined at the Pine Grove grange hall by Grangers from all over Oregon, including Master Allen Wheeler, and from parts of Washington. Mrs. Alyuna Routson did the cake cutting honors.

A start for the “junior college” within the Hood River County school system has been written into the 1965-1966 budget. Committee members approved inserting $1,300 in the proposed budget to cover costs. Classes will use present building facilities, and they will start after regular school hours. Dr. Milt Baum, superintendent, said the course will offer 12 college credit hours. Students will pay tuition — $100 for students in district and $210 for students outside the district.

1975 — 40 years ago

A police round-up got officers into the cattle business briefly when a calf wandered on to the freeway after breaking free Friday morning. The calf was chased to Westcliff Drive west of Hood River, where Sgt. Dick Kelly tried unsuccessfully to rope it from a police car. Then owner Joe Vital arrived to take his calf in tow.

Spaghetti with a purpose will be served at Hood River Valley High school’s cafeteria Friday from 5-8 p.m. The 19th annual renewal of the spaghetti feed will again raise funds for scholarships to be awarded to graduating seniors at the school. Cost is $1.50 a ticket, and 75-cents for those of junior high age and younger.

1985 — 30 years ago

More than 40 persons and a pair of television cameras crowded into city council chambers at city hall Thursday night for the public hearing on the proposed Wells Island development. The Wells Island issue is the final piece of the city’s comprehensive plan to be acknowledged by the state Land Conservation Development Commission. Planning commissioners heard proponents and opponents of the port’s proposal, but tabled their decision until Monday. At that meeting, the commission voted unanimously to approve the package in concept, forwarding it to city councilors.

Depleted district emergency funds faced new pressure when the Hood River County School board met here last week. Every year, the district sets aside a portion of its budget for contingencies. And as a rule, there’s a balance at the need of the year. During this school year an exceptional series of unforeseen demands has put the district’s back to the wall. So much so that Superintendent Frank Lariza, at one time during the meeting, told the school board, “you’re broke.”

1995 — 20 years ago

When Hood River became an incorporated town in February 1895, only 82 residents had cast ballots in the vote the previous December. Supporters in the 47-35 vote felt “the future of that charming little town is full of promise,” it was revealed during a special event Saturday. More than 700 people who turned out for Saturday’s Hood River Centennial Celebration and Hood River News open house proved the town does indeed meet the promise of that early vote.

As planning by the Waterfront Advisory Board proceeds at a snail’s pace, the Port of Hood River is forging ahead with its Expo Center project. Plans are to move the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce office and the Hood River Valley Visitors’ Center to the Expo Center when the first phase of renovation is completed later this year.

2005 — 10 years ago

A Hood River Valley soldier is convinced that his military service in Iraq is making a positive difference for the people of that country. Oregon National Guard Staff Sgt. Shane Willis, 25, carries a great sense of accomplishment from his protector role. This week, Shane received uplifting news when a packet of letters and postcards arrived from Mid Valley Elementary School. Willis was one of the local military service personnel who received mail from the “Dear Hero” project undertaken by students in January. Wife Shannon said her solider was very thankful for the showing of support by the children back home.

“I don’t know of anyone getting up in the morning and saying, ‘Gee, I wish I could snort a little Drano.” U.S. Rep. Greg Walden delivered that comment at Friday’s drug summit while removing chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine from a grocery bag. He said of all the ingredients, including Drano, propane and “Heet” cooking fluid, had been purchased off the shelves of local stores — making it difficult to shut down production.

— Compiled by Trisha Walker, news staff writer