Newsworthy in Summer 1939: Oysterville Moms and Kids

Last Friday some of us neighbors got to talking about ‘the good old days’ when our weekly Peninsula papers (the Ilwaco Tribune and the Chinook Observer) ran periodic columns of community news. The ‘reporter’ was usually someone who lived nearby and would write about the happenings in their locale. They were paid so much a column inch for their reports – ten or twenty cents I think.

I can’t remember who the roving reporter was in my early childhood, but I do remember that she (it always seemed to be a woman) would occasionally come by the house, armed with pencil and notebook, to ask my grandmother if there was any “news.” Every birthday party, anniversary observance, out-of-town visitor was reported. Everybody’s name was sure to show up in the paper at some time or other.

Recently, I ran across this clipping:

Newsworthy: Oysterville Bird House Contest 1940s

Mrs. William Little and daughter, Sydney, arrived Saturday to spend the remainder of the summer with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Espy. She is recovering from a recent appendicitis operation.
Randolph Sherwood has been selected as the new plant manager for the Ilwaco Oyster Co.’s plant at Nahcotta.
Leaving for their home in Portland Sunday were Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Glass and their small daughter, Melva, together with Mr. Glass’ parents. The older daughters, Marjorie and Norma, will remain with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry J. Wachsmuth until school starts this fall.
Expected back this weekend are Mr. and Mrs., G.E. Cannon, Ann and Nancy. Mr. and Mrs. Cannon have been on a camping trip in the Cascades while Mrs. Duff MacAndie took care of her nieces.

Newsworthy: Neighbors Aboard Ted Holway’s Dredge 1940s

Great stuff! Unfortunately, this excerpt is all that was saved so I don’t know which paper it came from or who the columnist was. The only thing I’m sure of is the year, 1940, because that’s when my mother had her appendix out. We were still living in Portland where my father worked for Montgomery Ward.

I’m sorry that the hometown flavor of our local paper has given way to a slicker, more professional presentation. I’m even sorrier that the eye-grabbing headlines are often about other areas entirely.

Last week it was Teenager presumed dead in Ocean Shores Drowning. My heart seemed to stop – “Who?” I wondered. But it was not anyone from here or even from Washington State.      And this morning’s Observer online lead story: Police seek the mother of a dead 2-year-old and injured 13-year-old. Cannon Beach was the location – no word of any Peninsula connection.

I hope I’m wrong, but I’m beginning to think our paper smacks a bit of sensationalism. Certainly it is has come a long way from home-grown news. With all the media sources available for news of the ‘outside world,’ it doesn’t seem right somehow.  There should be something that focuses just on us and the things that affect us directly.