Harvest outlook through the years; softball tournament results recorded

100 years ago

The Odessa Record

July 17, 1919

News updates: Harvest has started in the south area and winter wheat is running from 20 to 27 bushels per acre, with tests from 55 to 60 pounds.

About 50 former Odessa people gathered at the Manito park in Spokane for a community picnic and plan to make it an annual event.

D. G. Roloff lost part of his thumb when it was caught in a chain and carried through a cog wheel on his combine. The hand was badly mangled as well.

The alumni group is bringing the motion picture, “Mickey,” to Odessa as part of its community program. It is one of the best pictures of the year.

Temperatures of over 100 with a furnace blast wind occurred each day this week until Wednesday when temperatures dropped to 79 to indicate the heat spell had been broken.

Captain Thompson, formerly a Spokane physician, has returned from army service and has purchased an interest in Dr. Mitchell’s practice. Dr. Mitchell will handle office duties and Captain Thompson most of the driving.

Fred Lenhart has his new house on his ranch ready for plastering and has contracted with Con H. Eckhardt to construct a large barn.

James Dillon returned from Gooding, Idaho, where he has sold his irrigated tract and will remain here until after harvest.

Ernest Wachter is back at the telegraph key at the Great Northern after a vacation spent at the coast.

The Lutheran Sunday school will hold its picnic at the Dornberg grove four miles west of town.

During the hot weather the Commercial Creamery station would not receive cream after 5 o’clock in order that the day’s receipts may be shipped on the evening express.

75 years ago

The Odessa Record

July 20, 1944

Wheat fires to set new record: Two years of growth of cheat grass, now tinder-dry on Inland Empire wheat fields, has raised the fire hazard to the highest in history, Leonard L. Burgunder, deputy state fire marshal for the Spokane area, reported yesterday.

“With harvest only 10 days along, we have had greater fire losses since the end of June than we had all last year,” said Burgunder. “Nine wheat fires have caused loss estimated at $56,650, including one $25,000 fire in Walla Walla county that swept 600 acres of the Redmond Lasater farm last week. It was caused by friction in a combine.

“We have also lost 50,000 acres of pasture, including one 9,000-acre fire a few days ago that called out the fire departments of four towns between Ritzville and Washtucna.

“There is a double growth of cheat grass because last winter’s snow was so light it did not break the grass down and let it disintegrate. Winds have been high this year, also. Fire ordinarily burns faster uphill, but wind-whipped flames will go either up or down and in any direction.

“Farmers should be urged to keep fire-fighting devices handy and in good shape, and use them at the first sign of fire. Otherwise our eastern Washington breadbasket on which the fighting forces are so dependent is likely to go up in smoke.”

Wheat yield disappointing: Farmers who have started harvesting operations this week report that yields are not up to expectations. It had been hoped that a better than average crop was in prospect, due to timely rains.

From the Ruff area reports are ranging from a high of 20 bushels to the acre to less than 10 in some fields.

Spring wheat is ripening fast under a hot wave which has swept the area. The break between winter wheat and spring wheat will be short.

Storage space will be sufficient to handle most of the crop indoors. The Odessa Union Warehouse company believes it will have to use outdoor storage at Lamona and Harrington.

The extreme dryness and the ever present threat of aerial accidents makes a fire hazard greater this season.

Saturday night had first harvest crowd: Saturday night gave evidence of the proximity of harvest, the stores remaining open and crowds gathering about the streets. Odessa stores, left to choose their own evening hours, seem to have centered on a one hour opening during week nights and three hours on Saturday.

The dance Saturday night attracted a full house and was one of the most successful harvest dances given here.

Improves theatre with marquee: William Voise, operator of the Roxy theatre, is improving the appearance of the building by construction of a marquee, which will provide a place for listing titles of current attractions. He plans other renovations as materials are made available, he states.

50 years ago

The Odessa Record

July 17, 1969

A trickle of wheat comes in as 1969 harvest begins: A trickle of wheat has begun arriving at grain warehouses of the area as the first of the 1969 crop is being cut this week. Starting two weeks later than usual, some winter wheat fields are being harvested –– those few that survived the winter.

First wheat at Batum for the Odessa Trading Co. storage facility was brought in by Leonard Lobe, a load of red wheat. Forty-three loads were dumped at Ruff on Tuesday, it is reported.

First grain to arrive in Odessa came from Emanuel Bartalamay who has brought in some Wanser to the Odessa Union Warehouse. Harvesting was underway in the Ephrata area last week where the Union is receiving the first of that crop.

A long, drawn-out harvest is anticipated as it may be several days after the limited winter wheat crop is harvested before the spring crop cutting begins. Those irrigating, of course, always have a later cutting period.

Revise doctor’s office: The office of Dr. Jesse Q. Sewell on First Avenue in Odessa has been enlarged. The former barber shop area next to his office has been incorporated into the doctor’s facilities as an enlarged waiting room, providing much needed space.

Photo entry winner: Don Evavold, with a low-angle treatment of weeds silhouetted against the moon, won a second prize in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer International Newspaper Snapshot awards. The same entry in the 31st annual Spokane Chronicle Snapshot contest, black-and-white division, brought a similar response from judges. The entry will be judged with other winners in final competition.

Chevron station has new management: Management of the Chevron service station in Odessa changed hands Tuesday with Paul Reinhardt of Spokane becoming the local operator. He succeeds Walt Renner.

Mr. Reinhardt has been working at the station since mid-May. Prior to that he has had several years experience with Standard stations, it is reported.

Mr. Reinhardt and his wife, Marie, have an 11-month-old son.

No future plans have been announced by the Renners other than they expect to “take it easy” for a few weeks.

25 years ago

The Odessa Record

July 21, 1994

22 softball teams converge on Odessa for tournament: By Linda Gustafson

Softball, softball and more softball made Odessa come alive on Saturday with players from around the state playing in a two day United States Slow Pitch Softball Association sponsored tournament. The winners earned a berth to the state competition.

There were 22 teams available with 11 men’s and 11 women’s teams coming from Moses Lake, Tri-Cities, Seattle, Ellensburg, Wenatchee and Issaquah. They brought husbands, wives, children and friends.

Early Saturday morning, bathing suits, shorts and tank tops were seen. By Saturday evening, sunburns were the fashion for the evening.

When 9 a.m. rolled around on Saturday, the temperature had reached 80° and climbed to peak at 97°. Many players were running for cover of umbrellas and looking for the shade from the few trees that line the fields.

Four fields were used-- the new softball fields, baseball field and one end of the football field. The players were happy with the fields, said a spokesperson for the tournament.

Between games, players and families were making a beeline for the swimming pool, which had a tremendous day. One team of men just laid in the kiddies’ pool to cool off. A player from Seattle commented on how nice the aquatic recreational area was with its three swimming areas.

Future Business Leaders of America from the Odessa High School were flipping hamburgers at 10 a.m., all the restaurants and pizza parlor reported very busy days as they fed the teams early in the morning and throughout the day. Denny’s Thrift said they were out of ice by 10 a.m. on Saturday. They had to drive to Moses Lake for more ice.

The V. F. W. held a dinner and dance at the community center. They served 120 steaks to hungry players. Several from the community joined the players in an evening of dancing.

C.W. Asphalt, of Moses Lake, was the men’s first place winners. In second place was Bud Light/R&R from the Tri-Cities; Perfection Tires, of the Tri-Cities was third, and fourth went to Campus-U-Totem Pub, of Ellensburg. Busch-Acore was first in the consolation bracket for the men.

On the women’s side, Renegades from the Tri-Cities was first; Black Diamonds, of Wenatchee, second; Gas Lamp Slammers, of Issaquah, third and Acme, of the Tri-Cities, was fourth. In the consolation bracket, Oak Rail, of Ellensburg was first.

These teams received trophies and All-Star T-shirts. M.V.P.s were chosen and the first place teams received Scablands Desert Classic T-shirts.

The players made many favorable comments on Odessa and the facilities available. They said they enjoyed the fields even though they were a little shy on tree shade. The pool was a favorite spot for swimming and showering. The biggest comment came on how nice and clean the town was and the friendliness of the people. Over the weekend, there were only two mishaps. One woman broke her ankle in the final game of the day, and there was a choking on a piece of steak that was taken care of quickly by an EMT. The players were impressed with how fast the EMTs and ambulance responded to their accidents.

The two-day U.S.S.S.A. tournament was deemed a success to not only the teams playing but to the community businesses.

Pole painting right on schedule: There were 12 volunteers last Saturday to paint poles along downtown First Avenue in preparation for the installation of new Discover Odessa banners in time for the 24th annual Deutschesfest.

A week earlier only three persons had answered the call of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce to participate in a series of “work Saturdays” during which 12 lampposts along a three-block stretch of the town’s main street are being refurbished. The project includes the painting of the poles, rewiring them and attaching fiberglass brackets to support the banners.

Washington Water Power manager Doug Plinski is doing the rewiring, not only on the volunteer Saturdays but when he has time during the week as well.

The schedule calls for the painting of four poles each week. The limited work force was able to paint three the first Saturday. Last Saturday, five were completed. Chamber president Dale Hunt, who is directing the project, believes all 12 can be finished this coming Saturday. The final Saturday, June 30, will probably be devoted to giving the poles a second coat of paint, he said.

The poles are being painted canary yellow to blend with the color scheme of the banners.

Hunt is still looking for volunteers. Persons who can help should contact him at 982-2632, or simply appear downtown next Saturday.