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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 2019)
December 13, 2019 T he C olumbia P ress Senior Moments with Emma Edwards 7 History in the Making A look back at Warrenton’s top stories from The Columbia Press annals White elephant gifts were an Weyerhaeuser sells mill to Hampton Affiliates d . 2009 awkward burden in the past t y eC Before I forget, here is Bet- ty Kelly’s holiday walnuts recipe that I promised. First, stir together 1 1/2 cups white sugar, 1 1/2 cups brown sugar and 3/4 cup evaporated milk. Cook on medium to soft ball stage (240 degrees). Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 ounces brandy (the real thing} and 1 1/2 ounces pure vanilla. Stir in 3 pounds walnuts (shucked and halved). Spread on a single layer of waxed pa- per. When dry, put in an air- tight container. I don’t know about you, but Dr. Seuss books were a fun part of our children’s lives when we were “growing them up.” Recently, I ran across one of his books written in his 80s during a long illness, “You’re Only Old Once.” I en- joyed it and believe many of us can relate to it. Here is a sample: “This small white pill is what I munch at breakfast and right after lunch. I take the pill that’s kelly green before each meal and in-be- tween. “These loganberry-colored pills I take for early morn- ing chills. I take the pill with zebra stripes to cure my ear- ly evening gripes. These or- ange-tinted ones, of course, I take to cure my charley horse. … “I take three blues at half past eight to slow my ex- halation rate. On alternate nights at nine p.m. I swallow pinkies. Four of them.” Children’s book? One re- viewer wrote, “Well ... not immediately. You buy a copy for your child now and you give it to him on his 70th birthday!” Not so long ago, I was at one of those fun Christmas parties where we were giv- en large baked potatoes and got to dress them ourselves from the many little dishes of favorite toppings. Included was a favorite of mine: a big dish of chili and sour cream. The food was followed by a white elephant exchange of gifts. I got in a conversation about what white elephants have to do with Christmas. It seems Christmas is the fa- vorite time for this rousing game. Researching the origin of the white elephant gift ex- change, I learned that in Thailand and other Asian countries, white elephants were regarded as holy be- ings, possessing powers of prosperity, fertility and pow- er. Elephant owners, usually kings, excessively pampered the live white elephants. If the king didn’t like an assistant, he might gift him with a white elephant. What at first appears to be an honor becomes a financial burden, as the recipient is expected to pamper the elephant because someone might want to wor- ship it. The death of such a magnificent creature spelled disaster. Thus, the white elephant lives on in many ways. It has come to symbolize a prized possession whose mainte- nance cost exceeds its worth. Of course, over the years, humor has entered the choice of something we no longer wish to keep and on and on. Admittedly, it’s a fun game. Christmas is a time for fun games, too. en ears ago • A Warrenton firefight- er is arrested for stealing $20,800 from the Warren- ton Firefighters Association, a nonprofit organization that awards scholarships and oversees the agency’s annual Christmas food drive. • Warrenton author Sue Glen’s new book, “Images of America: Warrenton-Ham- mond,” is released. • Weyerhaeuser’s Warren- ton sawmill closes and is sold to Hampton Affiliates. • Two people are found dead after a house fire in the 400 block of Northwest First Street. Police believe Joseph DeWilde, 73, slit his wife’s throat, then set the house on fire. Karen DeWilde, 69, had filed for divorce the previous month. d eC 1999 t Wenty years ago • Warrenton Business Asso- ciation is exploring the possi- bility of constructing a fishing pier at the city park adjacent to Hammond Marina. Senior lunches Monday, Dec. 16: Spa- ghetti with Italian sausage, broccoli, romaine salad, ice cream. Thursday, Dec. 19: Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables, to- mato-vegetable soup, bread pudding. The Warrenton senior lunch program is at noon Mondays and Thursdays at Warrenton Community Center, 170 SW Third St. Suggested donation is $6 for 55 and older; $7 for those younger. For more info: 503-861-3502. • Heavy rain causes a cul- vert pipe to fail and create a 6-foot-deep sinkhole on Northwest First Street be- tween Elm and Date avenues. • The Port of Astoria will pe- tition the city to vacate King Street and restrict entry to its property along Youngs Bay and will install a gate at King Street after receiving com- plaints from the fire depart- ment about fire hazards from mounds of debris.