Life | The Daily Chronicle

Dwight Eisenhower visits Centralia as his train stops for water on Oct. 7 1952 in this photo from The Chronicle’s archives.

A Look Back in Time: Dwight Eisenhower Visits Centralia During ‘Whistlestop’ Campaign Tour in 1952

The 1952 Republican presidential nominee Dwight Eisenhower visited Centralia on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1952. The former general who led the Allied Forces to victory in World War II spoke to a crowd of … more

Compiled by Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 10/7/22

(Left): 2021 Swiss Miss Alli Engel, left, and the new Swiss Miss Grace Huber are pictured at Oktoberfest Oct. 1. (Right): Steinholding competitors hold steins during the competition at Oktoberfest in Frances on Oct. 1

Steinholding, Bowling and a New Swiss Miss: Results From the Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society’s 53rd Oktoberfest

The 53rd annual Oktoberfest was hosted by the Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society at Swiss Hall in Frances on Saturday, Oct. 1. Featured at the annual event was an outdoor, traditional Swiss-style, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/7/22

Superheroes pose for a photo in downtown Centralia on Halloween in 2021.

Centralia American Legion to Host Halloween Party for Children

The Centralia post of the American Legion will host a Halloween party for children ages 5 through 10 on Oct. 31. Prizes for best costume will be available for both girls and boys. There will be … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/5/22

The Nike Clearance Store in the Centralia Outlets.

Centralia Outlets Will Host Trick or Treat Event for Children 12 and Under on Halloween

A trick or treat event will be held at the Centralia Outlets on Oct. 31. Children ages 12 and under are welcome to attend in costume. The event will be from 4 to 7 p.m. while supplies last. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/5/22

United Way of Lewis County Brings Back Reading Buddy Program

The United Way of Lewis County is bringing back its Reading Buddy program. According to a statement released by the United Way of Lewis County, the Reading Buddy program “is a vital … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/5/22

State Rep. Peter Abbarno smiles while holding up knitted hats and scarves donated to the Tenino Community Service Center Food Bank alongside Korbin Pearson, 21, a Tenino graduate with special needs who works at the location three days a week as part of a newly established program at Tenino Food Bank Plus.

Tenino Food Bank Facing Donation Shortage, Supply Chain Issues

As inflation continues to rise, not only are citizens feeling the burn in their pocketbooks, but outreach organizations such as Tenino Food Bank Plus are seeing declines in donations. State Rep. … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 10/5/22

The newly finished dance floor of Swede Hall is pictured in this photograph shared by the Rochester Citizens Group in January.

Pirate-Themed Murder Mystery Dinner to Be Presented by Thurston County Groups

The Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre, the Olympia Elks Lodge and the Rochester Citizens Group will present a dinner theater to celebrate the month of Halloween. The Italian dinner will be a murder … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/3/22

Sixteen-month-old James sports a T-shirt version of lederhosen during the Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society Oktoberfest in Frances on Saturday.

In Focus: Celebrating the Season at Oktoberfest in Frances

The Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society held Oktoberfest in Frances on Saturday. The 53rd Oktoberfest in the Pacific County town was held after two years of cancellations due to COVID-19 restrictions. The … more

10/3/22

Toni Newgard Sturdevant, wearing a nursing outfit, is pictured in a campaign to sell U.S. Savings Bonds. The United States by 1943 was in its second full year of World War II and rationing and fund drives like this one for the American Red Cross were becoming as much a part of everyday life as going to work or school. Five-year-old Toni Newgard posed for photos at what was the National Bank of Washington at the time of this photo. She may not have known much about the war effort at that time but she knew she was selling war bonds. She's the daughter of E.R. and Ruth Newgard.

A Look Back in Time: Centralia Students Participate in Drive for Scrap Metal During WWII in 1942

Centralia’s 1,800 students were expected to join students throughout the nation from Oct. 5 to Oct. 17, 1942, in staging an “all-out drive for scrap metal,” a shortage of which was … more

Compiled by Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 10/3/22

Teams race down East 7th Street during the Boo-coda Casket Races on Saturday.

In Focus: Racing Caskets in ‘Boo-Coda’

Teams raced down East Seventh Street during the Boo-coda Pine Box Derby Casket Races on Saturday. Six teams competed in the event in which participants look to clock the fastest time. … more

10/3/22

FILE PHOTO — Crowds watch as a bull runs free in a pen during a Lazy HK Bar Rodeo Winter Series Event in Silver Creek.

Lazy H.K. Rodeo Winter Series to Return in Silver Creek

There are only two rules at the Lazy H.K. Bar Ranch in Silver Creek: no dogs and no underage drinking. Though, the latter is only upheld through an honor system. Otherwise, this lawless Lewis … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/30/22

Kids look to balloon art shapes during a 5 year anniversary event for the Chehalis Boys and Girls Club last August.

Boys and Girls Club of Lewis County to Host ‘Harmonies For Hope’ Piano Show on Nov. 19

The piano show Harmonies For Hope will take place Nov. 19 at City Farm in Chehalis. The highest bid gets a song played and a higher bid can make it stop. New this year will be a drummer … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/30/22

Melodee Bailey, of Chehalis, shared this photograph of five generations of her family in one photograph. Pictured are great-great-grandmother Theola Owen, great-grandmother Kimberlee Hornquist, grandmother Monica Michelle, mother Mahaila Rayne Hanson and son Michael Elijah Green.

Five Generations in One Photograph

9/30/22

Former Miss Lewis County Wins Pageant, Will Compete for National Title

Emily (Parnham) Skeers, competing as Mrs. Olympia, was crowned Mrs. Washington in the United States of America’s Miss Oregon and Washington Pageant on Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Richard E. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/28/22

Rena Kreis receives a kiss from Titus Sickles, 4, Tuesday afternoon at Kemp Olson Memorial Park in Toledo.

Toledo Family Creates Wishlist for Son, 4, Who Has a Terminal Heart Condition

Titus Sickles is the second youngest of five boys. All two years apart, the brothers have nearly identical buzz cut blond hair, freckles and blue-green eyes, strongly resembling their mother. On … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 9/28/22

Alan Carr waves from inside a pine box during the Casket Parade in 2021. The races take place this Saturday.

Bucoda Becomes 'Boo-Coda' With a Month of Halloween Fun Ahead

With October being the official spooky month, Bucoda is preparing for its month-long Halloween celebrations with the Boo-Coda Spook-Tacular festival. Aside from changing the town’s name to … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/28/22

United Way of Lewis County’s affinity group, Women United, delivered donated period supplies to Centralia Middle School (CMS) staff and students Monday afternoon. Pictured are, from left, CMS counselor Laura Hoff, CMS student Amy Ensell, United Way community impact director Chastity Pennington, CMS student Angel Carmen, CMS principal Lara Gregorich-Bennett, CMS assistant principal Cherie Calhoun, CMS student Alyssa Hicks-Avron, CMS counselor Melia Livingstone, Women United co-chair Jacki Jewell, Nancee Alvord of Women United and Centralia School District superintendent Lisa Grant.

Women United Donates Menstrual Products to Centralia Middle School as Launch of the ‘Supplies Period’ Initiative

Pads, tampons and other menstrual products are typically handled discreetly, hidden in pockets or long sleeves during the walk to the bathroom and discussed in low voices, if they’re discussed … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 9/28/22

Elee Fairhart, left, smiles while talking about exhibit pieces alongside Becky Starr-Justice, curator for the Morton Historical Museum.

Morton Historical Museum Honors a Local Immigrant Family’s Legacy

Elee Fairhart has searched several times, unsuccessfully, for another man in America with his name. The Morton resident who made his career in physical therapy has a backstory as unique as his … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 9/26/22

Nationally Known Gospel Music Group Coming to Chehalis’ First Christian Church On Oct. 16

The Liberty Quartet, a gospel music group from Boise, Idaho, consisting of Royce Mitchell, bass; Paul Ellis, lead; Philip Batton, tenor; Will Arasmith, baritone; and Doran Ritchey, piano/baritone, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/26/22

Alexandra Sullivan stands alongside Sanine, a Borzoi dog, as Pastor Zachary Taylor smiles and gives pets during “Blessing of the Animals” at the Chehalis United Methodist Church on Saturday. PAWchella, a free pet fair, was held in the parking lot of the Chehalis United Methodist Church. The event featured free professional pet photography by Beast Friends, Blessings of the Animals Booth, local vendors and free fun activities. All well behaved pets were welcome.

In Focus: 'Blessing of the Animals' Held at Chehalis United Methodist Church Event

Chehalis United Methodist Church Pastor Zachary Taylor smiles and interacted with pets during “Blessing of the Animals” on Saturday. PAWchella, a free pet fair, was held in the parking … more

9/26/22