HOHS performance, Zion hymn sing, rummage room updates, historical note

Cruso at Opera House

Carolyn Cruso will perform at the Harrington Opera House on April 27 at 7 p.m. The Society’s website says, “Carolyn Cruso will regale you with the intricacies of the fascinating hammered dulcimer; an ancient instrument that originated in Persia over 2,000 years ago. She plays both traditional Celtic tunes and her own world-inspired contemporary compositions. She is also a singer/songwriter, accompanying herself often on alternately tuned guitars creating a rich weaving of chords, melody and intelligent lyrics. Her songs about bards, divine strangers, love and redemption are poetic stories for the soul.”

Cruso’s own website adds, “Cruso has been performing professionally in both the United States and Europe for two decades as a multi-instrumentalist playing hammered dulcimer, various flutes, guitar and vocals. She celebrates the release of her latest instrumental recording, ’Migrations—A Retrospective (1989-1995),’ which draws from four early albums she made with the late great Robert Almblade. Migrations was chosen Best Instrumental CD of 2013 by the Indie Acoustic Project. Carolyn’s performances have been called powerful and emotionally provocative. Her lyrics are thoughtful, poetic and possess a compelling sense of longing. Her vocals are tough and tender. Her guitar chordings have been described as delicious and her playing is dynamic and expressive.” Visit her web site at http://www.carolyncruso.com

Rocklyn Zion ChapelHymn Sing

The next Rocklyn Zion Chapel Hymn Sing will be Sunday afternoon, April 28, at 3 p.m. This gives area believers the opportunity to unite their voices and sing hymns of praise and worship in this historic church in the countryside. Everyone is welcome. Come and enjoy the atmosphere. Social hour to follow.

Furnace for Rummage Room

Earlier this month, a small work party gathered at the Harrington Opera House, to ready a section of the basement for the installation of a heating device. The following cool Wednesday morning, bright and early, Kysar trucks pulled up and by day’s end, the Rummage Room was toasty warm, having just been outfitted with a new, 96-percent efficient, two-stage American Standard gas furnace.

This was the second gas furnace to be installed by Kysar; the lobby electric furnace was replaced earlier this year with a similar model. Converting the lobby area heat system to gas will reduce the winter heating bill considerably and having heat for the fall and winter Rummages will keep the staff, treasures and shoppers warm alike, and make the room usable year round. Both furnaces were paid for in part by generous donations from the community, to which the HOHS is truly thankful.

Final Rummage Community Day

Saturday, April 27, at 10 a.m. the Opera House will be open in conjunction with the Food Bank at the Nazarene Church and God’s Closet at the Community Church, offering items left over from past rummages at little or no charge. This will be the last community day opening until summer. See you at Cruizin’ Harrington for the first new Rummage of the season.

The Other Maurers not at Zion

For years in researching the Zion German Methodist church, this writer recognized the many familiar Maurer names, John George Maurer and his wife Anna Barbara Stengel who had 11 or more children. Recently some travelers from Libby, Mont. left a note at the library saying that they wanted information on Evelyn Maurer, a daughter of Joseph and Sadie Maurer. It was evident that this Joseph Maurer was not from those in the Zion district, but she was born in Harrington in 1906 which was a starting point.

Joseph and Sadie Maurer were on the 1910 Mohler Census. Joseph was then 32 years of age, a native of Germany. His wife Sadie was 23, a native of Oregon. They had been married five years and she had given birth to three infants, two of which were surviving, Evelyn, then 4, and Charles, one year. This particular census was very helpful as Dora Bennett (Joe’s mother-in-law) and Charles Bennett (his brother-in-law) were each on the census with the hired men. News items indicate that Joseph was active with The Mohler Wolf Club in December of 1908, along with Bill Shields, Ed Shields, A.B. Schwab, Lou Ochs, John Ingalls, Charles Wood and Charles Harrison. They had the coyotes on the run that day.

Joseph and Sadie moved to Espanola before the 1920 census, at which time Evelyn was 13 years of age. The family moved to the Fishtrap area and were on the 1930 North Sprague census, but by that time Evelyn had left her family’s home and married Frank Winkelman in August 1925. Their marriage announcement appeared in the Mohler columns of the news. The marriage was short-lived, but it was recorded in Harrington that their daughter, Virgeen Mary Winkelman was born May 17, 1926 and was baptized at St Francis of Assisi church. The Winkelman family appeared on many of the Mohler and Downs school districts’ census. Since Frank William Winkelman had previously registered for the 1917-1918 draft while at Meagher County, Mont., it is surmised that he took his family back to Montana before they separated.

Joseph and Sadie buried two of their children in the Sprague Catholic Cemetery, both dying in 1930. Phyllis, their four-year old daughter died from the flu and pneumonia and Vernice was 16 years and 8 months. She died from heart failure, secondary to the flu and pneumonia. Evelyn Maurer’s brother and nephew were buried in St. Francis.

Local school records were not complete and Eastern Regional Branch of Washington State Archives has been contacted to secure additional school records for Mohler as well as for Espanola. The school records for the Winkelman family were sent on to Evelyn’s daughter.

The family had the history of Evelyn after her second marriage, but showed great enthusiasm and interest in the information the Harrington Library was able to provide them for years before her marriage to Hutton. A local farmer provided this writer with farm ledgers which included the hiring of B. Winkelman for 9½ days in 1923. Each little piece of information was received with joy.

“Ruff Gets Electricity. For the first time in the history of Ruff, residents have electricity. Current was turned on for the first time last Tuesday by the PUD. The new line built will serve an estimated 60 new customers.” (Citizen: 10-14-1948)