The Columbia Basin Project was progressing in 1941. Bureau of Reclamation employees were visiting various part of the projects lands. We don’t know what these two men were doing in Othello, but the fact they were in the area is interesting. Read on.

E-mail from Cheryl

Facts from the past gleaned from the Moses Lake Herald, Columbia Basin Herald and The Neppel Record by Cheryl (Driggs) Elkins:

From the Moses Lake Herald on Aug. 7, 1941:

Othello News

-Mr. W.D. Simmons and F.M. Veatch of Tacoma were guests at the Hotel Hubbard on Thursday and Friday of last week. These gentlemen are connected with the Bureau of Reclamation.

-Mrs. Chas. Lee and children, Richard and Nancy, of Yakima, are spending the weekend at the A.O. Lee home.

-William May Jr., has returned to his home in Priest Rapids, after spending a week’s vacation at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. May.

-Frank Bagwell and wife have returned to Othello from a two-week’s trip to Crater Lake, Ore. They accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Schoonover of Tacoma.

-Mr. and Mrs. Maron Shafstal and daughter of Priest Rapids, were weekend visitors in Othello.

-Mrs. Herert Micrel and Mrs. J.B. Wilson were Ellensburg visitors on Saturday.

-The Pollyannas of the Christian Church met at the home of Mrs. Morgan on Thursday of last week. The club decided to hold an ice cream social and supper in their chub rooms at the Commercial Hotel on Saturday afternoon and evening of this week.

Suds from Soap Lake

-Mr. and Mrs. Claude Long of Seattle spent the weekend at their cabins here.

-Elmer Crane accompanied his brother in law to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to visit his sister and mother, Rudolph Fallis and son.

-Mrs. Emmet Norris of Bellingham, Wash., who had the misfortune to fall from a scaffold at their new cabins near the west campground, running a piece of lumber thru her ankle, died Saturday from tetanus at McKay.

VFW News

-Frank Fitzgerald accompanied Ed Skinner to Seattle for a week’s visit with relatives and friends.

-The carnival at Lund’s Beach, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2900, is drawing a sizeable crowd. Especially are the children enjoying the rides and various attractions. This will be here for several days more.

-Richard Bonthius has returned from Seattle to await the call for his entering the Navy. He is the first recruit from here to enter the Veterans unit. He is to become a mechanic’s helper in the airplane field.

-Mrs. Lydia Thompson has been appointed hospital chairman for McKay Memorial Hospital.

-Veterans and auxiliary to Post No. 2900 have their regular meeting Thursday, Aug. 7.

-Mr. and Mrs. John Dollarhide and sons have gone to Seattle and other coast points for two weeks.

-Thelma Johnson spent the weekend with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Johnston, returning to her work in Spokane Monday.

-Mrs. Kate Thompson was a business visitor in Spokane Friday.

Moses Lake Store

Dennis note: The Moses Lake Store was located near Frank’s Market. The building is still standing. It is the two-story building facing the side street. Originally the door was on the end, facing Nelson Road. The original Moses Lake Post Office was in this building. When Neppel became Moses Lake, the area around the building was referred to as Old Moses Lake and the area downtown was known as New Moses Lake. The MacDonald house is the two-story building to the east of where the MacDonald Store was located. Read on.

-Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Inglis from Marguerite, stopped in to see MacDonald Bros. and sisters on their way home from Idaho where they had visited his brother, Finlay W. Inglis and family from Boumont. From there visited his niece, Mrs. Francis Coy and her father, Mr. and Mrs. R.P. Penhallick.

-Mrs. John Ewald has been staying with Mrs. Laing for a few weeks. She came up Sunday and is at MacDonald’s.

-Mrs. O.D. McCoy, Mrs. J. B. McGrath and Dorris Lowe called on Mrs. John Ewald Sunday also at MacDonald’s.

-Donald L. Ewald is hauling grain to Warden for George During. Mr. During has finished cutting. F.A. MacDonald was helping him.

-James LaMunjon of Benton Harbor, Mich. Called at F.A. MacDonald Tuesday.

From the CBH on Nov. 11, 1975:

Permit sale opens

Officials of the Wenatchee National Forest today reminded potential Christmas tree cutters that a limited number of $1 individual permits are being issued by Forest Ranger districts.

Permits, which must be obtained in advance of cutting, entitle the holder to cut one tree on designated National Forest areas.

Individuals who wish to cut trees on private land must, under state law, obtain permission from the landowner and must have a bill of sale with them when transporting such trees.

Christmas tree cutters are reminded that many forest areas are already wet or snowy. Vehicles should have good treaded tires and carry chains, a shovel and a good jack just in case they are needed. Clothing should be suitable to ward off cold and wet weather.

Coin show announced

The Tri-City Coin Club will sponsor its 15th Atomic Coin Pow Wow at the Red Lion Motor Inn, 2525 N. Chase, in Pasco on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15 and 16.

There will be exhibits of coins, currency and metals. Dealers from the northwest will operate tables for buying and selling.

Admission is free. Doors will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.