This Week in Odessa History

The Great Depression was at its peak as Christmas approached in 1930. Farmers hadn’t had much of a crop the preceding summer because of drought and dust storms, and what little wheat there was to sell was going for 36 cents a bushel.

All the hardships, however, didn’t preclude the hopes and dreams of Christmas time. Thoughts of Santa filled the air. It reflects the mood of Odessa just before the holiday 83 years ago.

With the beginning of the holiday season only five days away, the spirit of Christmas impregnates the air here. Many packages are being sneaked into Odessa homes so that Santa may furnish pleasant surprises to different members of local families when he comes on Christmas Eve.

Members of the different churches are busy helping their Sunday School departments, which will have Christmas trees, programs and treats for the kiddies.

Friday, the high school is giving its Christmas entertainment. Each of the four classes has prepared a stunt for the occasion, the nature of which is clothed with secrecy until the presentation.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

November 28, 1913

Every city and country school in Oregon and Washington that wants a pig can have one with the compliments of the Portland Union Stock Yards.

The only condition attaching to the gift pig will be a requirement that each school accepting one keep an accurate record of the kind, quantity and the cost of the feed that is given it. This will be for the purpose of determining the cost of feeding and preparing a pig for market.

It is expected that the pigs will be sold when they reach a marketable size. The stockyards will buy them back at the market price and the schools can use the money as they choose.

Stockyards officials expect the boys and girls of the various schools to compete for the distinction of making the most money out of their pork stock.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

December 1,1938

Robert Hardy, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Hardy of Harrington, and Miss Edna Schumacher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. August Schumacher of Ritzville, were married at the home of the bride’s parents on Thanksgiving day and will live at Harrington.

Miss Dorothy Davidson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Davidson of Harrington, and Walter F. Morrison, Troy, Mon., were married at a 1 o’clock service at Westminster Congregational church in Spokane Thanksgiving day. The Rev. Kenneth Claypool, Harrington, read the service.

50 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

November 28,1963

The story of Thanksgiving really starts in Europe.

The story is a part of American tradition. A class of Protestant members of the Church of England wanted to make a greater purge of earlier doctrines, and became known as the Puritans. English policy was to exterminate the group, resulting in their leaving the country.

They formed American colonies, where their opposition to amusements grew into a spirit of persecution. They became the founders of the New England states.

A party of members to be known later as the Pilgrims, went to Holland, but could not conform to religions there. They sent representatives to America in 1617 to look for land for a colony. This group left England aboard the Mayflower and landed in the vicinity of Plymouth, Mass., Dec. 21, 1620. While not the original colonists, they became the ones remembered in history.

The leaders of the Pilgrims were Carver, Cushman, Bradford, Brewster and Miles Standish.

After a year of privation, the Pilgrim Fathers kept the earliest harvest, thanksgiving service in America, and in the succeeding centuries the practice was frequently repeated.

The general observance in the United States dates from 1863 when Lincoln issued a proclamation recommending that the last Thursday of November be observed as Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving Day has been considered as traditionally American. It reminds of a truth now lost to many Americans. It reminds that, under God, each individual human owes an everlasting debt of duty and responsibility to his family and his neighbors, and that no institution and no government can discharge it for him.

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

November 27, 2003

With the weather becoming colder low income families are sure to see an increase in their utility bills.

For many families this is just the beginning of the struggles that come with the holidays.

The Odessa community provides food, toiletries, warm clothing and heating for those who need it. Because of the town’s generosity there are now several options for those in need.

The Odessa food bank has received over 2,000 pounds of food donated to give to families over the holiday season. The Odessa High School FBLA conducted a canned food drive at the school.

The Barn Youth Center, led by Troy Eldridge and the Boy Scouts with troop leader Tim Hauge, delivered plastic bags of food gathered from the community.

The Odessa Lions Club also pitched in with helping hands to add to the shelves at the Food Bank.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

November 24, 1988

“The Odessa Tiger football team has finally broken the hex!” an exultant coach Myron Kramer said after his team’s punishing victory last Friday in the Kibbie Dome.

“They’ve won a playoff game!”

Maybe “won” isn’t a strong enough term for the tigers’ 56-20 charge past Manson in a state quarter-final game.

Tomorrow the Tigers return to the Dome to meet Asotin at noon. “The winner goes to the King Dome for the state championship game,” Kramer said. His smile was big and expectant.

Six members of the Odessa Jr. Livestock 4-H Club were presented trophies and certificates, won for steer carcasses shown and sold during the Lincoln County Fair in September. Presented by the Lincoln County Cattlemen’s Association representative Don Jacobs and WSU Area Extension Agent Tom Platt, the winners were Willy Bell, Colley Walter, Michelle Praetorius, Chelsey Walter, Holly Bell and Scott Knerr.