Tour ends Columbia Basin Herald editor's visit to White House
Jess Walton, left, and Garnet Wilson enjoy a laugh together during a visit on Feb. 14 at Moses Pointe. The laugh came when they were discussing their dogs, as each owns a Chihuahua. This is the third year Walton has appeared at Moses Pointe to meet and spend time with fans.
Over the next few weeks this column will highlight the contact Columbia Basin Herald Editor Ned Thomas had with the White House and President John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s. Today we continue with Thomas' own account.
Lunch at the White House, Oct. 23, 1961:
After our lunch with the president, we were turned over to Inspector Kenneth Burke of the Secret Service's uniformed branch, who took us through several rooms on the main floor of the White House. He's a veteran of 23 years in the White House and knows it inside out.
He took us through the grand ballroom where dances, concerts and large receptions are held, and the three smaller reception rooms, the Red, Green and Blue rooms. He pointed out the changes that Mrs. Kennedy had wrought since taking up residence. Mrs. Kennedy and Caroline were not in evidence.
When this tour ended we went to Salinger's headquarters in the west wing and saw the facilities there for press, radio and television. We were allowed to go into the Cabinet Room, from where we watched the President and his party takes off by helicopter for his weekend trip to Hyannis Port.
It was 4 o'clock when the group left the White House, each headed for his own hotel, each thinking his own thoughts, each savoring a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Jess Walton visit
This is the third year my wife, Garnet, and I celebrated Valentine Day at the Steakhouse at Moses Pointe. We had a wonderful dinner and another great visit with Jess Walton.
Jess, a star on the soap opera "The Young and The Restless," and Garnet have become friends through these visits, a couple of telephone calls and e-mail. Instead of a meeting between a star and a fan the time together this year was between friends. This isn't unusual, as Jess becomes instant friends with everyone she meets.
"Let's pull up a couple of chairs over here," Jess said, motioning to the table where her husband, John James, and long-time friend Moses Pointe General Manager, Larry Pierce, were sitting.
Everyone ordered coffee and we visited for about 30 minutes. I began snapping photos and had four in the hopper when Jess said, "That's enough Dennis, now sit down and visit."
The main conversation was about life in general, the couple settling into their new home in Sisters, Oregon and our dogs. Jess has a small Chihuahua weighing 5 pounds and ours weighs 3.4 pounds.
"Ours is named Rita Hayworth, after the actress," Jess said.
"Ours is Brenda Starr, after the comic book character," Garnet said.
After goodbye hugs and handshakes, we made our departure.
"Stay in touch," Jess said.
Wilson Creek area history
The Rev. David H. Crawford compiled and published a history of families in and surrounding Wilson Creek titled, "Family Memories of Wilson Creek Area." The book was printed in 1978, which was the 75th anniversary of the town. David's son, John Crawford, has given permission for those memories to be a part of this column.
Today we conclude the R.H. Lee, C.W. Davis and George Lee history by Macil Lee:
Then every 4th of July, the town had a big cele?bration. There would be a parade and concessions run by the local people along both sides of the street from the bank down past the grange building.
There would be a big dance in the evening. Of course, all the businesses along Main Street were going full blast. I remember when Carol Jean was walking good and she would get tired, we would fix her a bed in one of the glass show cases at the Pool Hall, so she could take her nap, we were too busy to watch her.
After the Legion was organized, they always sponsored a Memorial Day Picnic, and Service at the Cemetery, and a Veterans Day Celebration, with a parade and a number of times they sponsored a Soap Box Derby on the school house hill followed by a dance.
The Grant County Historical Society has compiled several volumes of Grant County history. The books are available for purchase at the Historical Society Museum gift shop in Ephrata.
I bought the series in 2009 and secured permission to relay some of the history through this column. Memories of Grant County, compiled from taped interviews by the Grant County Historical Society.
Today we continue the story of Ephrata by Thelma Billngsley Nicks:
There were two hotels in Ephrata. The Morris, run by Miss Morris, who later married Ed Southard and the second was the Johnson. The Morris was moved to the north end of town and grocery stores, one or two meat mar?kets, bakery, Laundry, Saddle and shoe shop, drug store, restaurants and many other businesses. Also the Cambell McDonald building. With dance hall up stairs and lodge rooms. Pool room and ice cream parlor down stairs. Livery barns, lumber yards, garages, clothing stores, etc.
We had two doctors Brobst and Mikelson.
I found in some old papers receipts for personal taxes. One bicycle was $5.00, one auto $450, one piano $100, Household furniture including clocks, rugs, gold and silver plate, paintings, etc. $150. Total assessed valuation after deductions and sup?plying percentage at which property is being assessed $105. Signed by J. H. White assessor and Nell Walker.
Kennas ran the Rock Cafe, Miss Hughes had a nice dress shop, where my mother bought me the nicest dress. She would go to market and buy for each lady in town. Most of the women had nice clothes she picked out.
Gordon and I were married in 1927. We had three sons. Walter born in December of 1928, Richard on February 16, 1931 and Allen in 1937. Walter was born at Mrs. Jessie Burgans home. It stood where Potter drug is now. Dick at Dr. Ingersols home where he and his wife took care of patients and Allen was born in Wenatchee. We lost Allen when he was 16 playing football in high school. Dr. Ingersoll was our Doctor until Dr. Ward came to Ephrata.
The first years we were married were the starting of the depression. We learned many ways to cope with things. In those days most everyone raised their own chickens and had their eggs. We could keep them in town then. I learned to can many things. But they are years we look back on with pleasure, even though times were hard.
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