Harrington news

Don't you just love it when you can't trust your own eyes? Now you don't see them, and suddenly...when did that Linda Colbert sneak out there and place all of those straw bales and fall decorations up and down Third Street, Main Street, by the park and school? And surely she must have had a crew in order to execute such a quick placement service! No one seemed to know quite when it happened, just like so many previous years, but it was learned that her elves were Betty Warner's ag class, and we believe Mrs. Warner was also working. Other activities during the week included students helping with the cleaning and washing of some downtown windows.

Friday noon was a customer appreciation event with a free barbecued German sausage, chili, potato chips, brownies, cookies and lemonade being served. This was sponsored by US Bank, Harrington Food Mart, Studebaker Garage (Allen Barth), Harrington Woodworking, and Ott Insurance. Summer Clark (US Bank) and her husband Charles were chefs on duty for the nearly two hours of socializing that took place in the lot between the bank and store.

Coming from near Nashville, Tenn. Friday evening at 7 p.m., The Needhams provided country and Christian music to an audience of 59 following an opening prayer by the Nazarene pastor, Cade Clarke. This year, Harrington is at the beginning of The Needham's tour; last year they were headed home from Harrington. They have T-shirts this year with the names of many of the metropolitan cities in which they have performed, and sure enough, Harrington is on the list! Dave Needham introduced his sister, Diana Mummert, who writes most of the songs and lyrics that they use. Her husband Steve was on percussion, and their son Steve Jr. played guitar; they all sing! Many of their songs for this event were new and can be found on their new album. Needham throughout the event added pieces of trivia about his family. By audience response, one could judge that their best selection was "It Is Well With My Soul," a cappella. Among their selections were "In the Middle of a Miracle," "Welcome Home, My Child," "Lay It At His Throne," "God's Love," "You Are Jesus To Me," "I Am Fearless," "Tell Me One More Time," and "I'm Going Through" before their intermission. They have spent 18 years in this music ministry. Following a very brief intermission they performed "The Lord is a Mighty Good Friend," "America, America" (a cappella), "Redemption Song," "When He Tells Me 'No'," and "It's Gonna Happen." Audience and performers agreed: "See you next year!"

For those who were early risers, the FFA served breakfast for $5.00 a plate from 7 to 10 a.m. A total of 75 were served. Later in the day the FFA also served Sno Cones in the park and had a competitive game of chicken poop bingo. The Huff 'n Puff Race began at 9 a.m. with people congregating on the sidewalks along the street to watch the runners, trotters and walkers on their routes. The weather was spectacular for visiting and enjoying the day. The FBLA profited $1,700 with 91 entries in the race, which will be a big boost to help the students attend the state conference in the spring. The parade began at 11 a.m. with Gordon and Billie Herron as Citizens of the Year. They were driven by grandson Dylan Herron in a 1971 GMC Sprint. The parade was impressive with so many great entries. Floats came from Ritzville, Creston, Wilbur and Odessa. The Harrington marching band, which consisted primarily of elementary students, performed. Alumni were well represented, with the classes of 1936, '46, '56, '66, '76, '86, '96, and 2006 exalted. The sight of the Harrington Food Mart in the grand black garden truck caused some good laughter. The class of 1956 rode in the back of a 1956 Chevy pickup once owned by Mannie Kinzel, which pulled a small trailer with the renegades from the class. Davenport's band was a great success and performed well. A group of young students walked in the parade. A fire truck, police car and seven mud bog rigs were also viewed. Sen. Judy Warnick had her horses and riders in the parade. Linda Colbert walked four goats in the parade. US Bank also walked the parade.

Billie Herron was born in Kalispell, Mont., and her father owned a refrigeration business, which is where she learned the business end of running a business. She married Gordon Herron in 1961; Gordon was born in Kalispell on a Hereford cattle ranch. They moved to Harrington in 1976 and farmed for several years. They currently live on the old Unbewust homestead which is 114 years old. They have restored the home and other buildings on the property. They are presently restoring the home Gordon was born in, although the house has been moved to property Gordon owns at Foy's Lake in Montana. With a wide range of diverse previous employments, Gordon is an asset to the Harrington Opera House Society. Gordon and Billie are charter members (1992) of the Society which has had many renovation projects. The Herrons have acquired a number of old buildings in Harrington which they have saved. Saving a building in Harrington means that by purchasing it, a different owner was not allowed to destroy the building due to a lack of hope in the future of the community. A prime example of a lost building is the old Adams and Mitchum building at the corner of Third and Willis. This beautiful two-story building had a smaller opera house and business office rooms on the second floor, with multiple business areas on the main level. In later years Makey's Garage was located in it. The Herrons have sold three buildings and are actively seeking buyers for the other four. With the ownership of these buildings come many projects keeping them secure. Billie was organist at the Harrington United Methodist Church for 33½ years and is currently a musician at the Harrington Church of the Nazarene. Billie taught piano lessons in Harrington for many years until recently retiring. She was also active in the Lincoln County EDC for several years. At present, she continues to work for their son Mike at Harrington Truck and Auto, where Gordon can also be found helping out.

Opera house tours were offered by Ed Haugan directly before and after the parade. When the line ceased, so did the tours. Linda Wagner graciously volunteered to play the grand piano during the tours. In mid-afternoon, Jim Dietz appeared for a tour with his mother (Marguerite Flemming Dietz) and other relatives, including Sen. Judy Warnick; the Society found a guide and it reopened.

About 104 years ago John Flemming, a carpenter, came to Harrington looking for work. In 1918, he married Clara Mihm and brought her to town where they raised their children Laura, Dorothy, Marguerite and Robert. Flemming was largely responsible for the reconstruction of the Harrington Haus, which had new front and rear walls in 1919. He also built the D.O. Stiles barn and hauled it from Harrington to some four miles north of Bluestem. His children and family recall most fondly his building of a doll house in 1929. Laura and Dorothy graduated from Harrington High School prior to the family's move to Spokane.

The rummage sale, held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., netted nearly $400 between the rummage and vintage rooms. When the sale began, there was not space enough for the display of another five boxes of items, but by mid-afternoon all items were visible.

The Lions Club had finished the gazebo several weeks ago. The barbecue beef looked and smelled delicious. Lots of activities were held in the park along with vendors at the west end. The FFA and ag class under Mrs. Warner maintained and ran the petting zoo which had three miniature horses, one of which gave rides all day. There were chickens in a pen and five ducks in a pond. There were puppies for sale, and kittens looking for a new home. Also for viewing were the mama llama and her seven-month-old baby and two guinea pigs, Ginger and Mary Ann. The four goats surely enjoyed the parade as compared to the park, as by early afternoon they managed to escape as though they wanted to go back to the parade. It was quite a feat with some good assistance that the four goats were recaptured and contained the rest of the afternoon, although a pen had to be reconstructed so it would contain them.

The Mud Bog event, organized by the 4x4 Club, was considered a great success, with at least 25 rigs showing up to participate. This was the first year to include a beer garden, and those involved stated that it was successful and without problems.