Harrington news

Hymn sing, historic preservation and council meetings, Englert family info

 

Last updated 4/24/2017 at 5:13am



Hymn Sing

The fourth Hymn Sing at the Rocklyn Zion United Methodist church was celebrated Sunday, April 9, at 3 p.m. with a group of nearly 50 persons, many of whom were related to the founders whose photos hang on the walls and serve as a reminder of the dedication and perseverance of the early pioneers. The prelude was played by Cheryl Mielke Beymer; Judy Mielke welcomed the audience and Pastor Kim Kruger opened in prayer in the absence of Pastor Michelle Mitchell. Gerald and Virginia Zellmer, accompanied by Linda Zellmer, sang “Casting All Your Care Upon Him.” Gerald, son of Walter and grandson of Emil Zellmer, gave a brief history of his grandfather, who we were told had been a hod carrier and in 1889 put the chimney on the original Zion Methodist church building on this spot. Pastor Kruger, minister of the Harvest Celebration church in Davenport, gave a short devotional entitled “Every Knee Shall Bow” after honoring his relatives, whose photos also hung on the wall. He claimed to be “related to all the photos except those of the Hoffmans, and perhaps even them, if you include several marriages.” He also acknowledged his second-grade teacher, Linda Zellmer, and said that he was even related to her, which brought laughter from the audience. Barbara Curtis’ performance of “Amazing Grace” on her violin, accompanied by Cheryl Beymer, was stirring. Robert Hein led the children’s choruses which included “Climb Sunshine Mountain” and “The Foolish Man Built His House.” Caleb Baas, the four-year-old grandson of Cheryl Beymer, performed with his mother Julie Baas “The Palm Sunday Song” and shared a recipe which when completed reveals an empty tomb. Caleb’s excitement to share the empty tomb may be a predictor of his future profession. When the applause ceased, the hymn pick time began with Cheryl Beymer at the piano. Old-time favorites included “How Great Thou Art,” “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” “Go Tell It On the Mountain” and “Because He Lives,” and one would have thought the audience to have been a hundredfold its size, as the music and voices together rose and swelled to fill the little chapel. Among other favorites were “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Gentle Shepherd” and “He Touched Me.” After perhaps a dozen more numbers, Pastor Kim Kruger pronounced the benediction and invited everyone to join in refreshments and fellowship. The date of the next hymn sing was not announced. It will be recalled that the church is transitioning to be become the Rocklyn Zion Community Chapel with its closing worship service on July 9, 2017.

Harrington Historic

Preservation Commission

Karen Allen, Celeste Miller, Aileen Sweet, Amy Foley, Anita Harman, Marge Womach, Dillon Haas and Heather Slack met at 6:30 p.m. on April 11 at the city hall for the Harrington Historic Preservation Commission meeting. Miller chaired the meeting through the election of officers. Amy Foley was nominated as chairperson and left the room while the vote was taken. The unanimous vote brought Foley in, and she took over the meeting. Karen Allen was re-elected to the co-chair position. Sweet volunteered to continue as secretary, although it is not an official position. Members asked the mayor how much money is at their disposal for expenses during the year. He responded that it is set for $500 this year. Allen discussed the Spokane Advocates and how helpful they are on projects.

Some discussion was held regarding Facebook and that Foley’s name would need to be added to those having access; Miller is the current administrator. The Commission is developing a list of potential new members, and Foley wants to have packets ready for them to introduce them to the purpose of the Commission and the necessary forms.

With the upcoming Cruizin’ Harrington car show, mention was made of taking a poll of where people might want the pillars moved. An estimate for $6,500 was received for relocation of two pillars and repair of four pillars.

Several changes were made to the by-laws, and all terms of members were changed to two years. A limit of two years was set for all officers. The previously established meeting schedule had been monthly but will now be quarterly.

City Council

The Harrington City Council met April 12 at 7:30 p.m. with the following present: Rick Becker, Mike Cronrath, Peter Davenport, Scott McGowan, Levi Schenk, Dillon Haas, Bunny Haugan, Brent Wilday, Marge Womach and Justin Slack (via phone). McGowan and Haas shared their knowledge of the maintenance report including water leaks, lagoon work, replacement of service lines and condition of the mower. Replacement work may require 800 feet of pipe. McGowan reported that the water and sewer continuing education courses in Spokane went well. Mayor Haas reported on the bids and meetings that he held related to the bids. He was admonished by the Council to include them regarding meetings so they could attend and follow the bidding process. Haas said four bids had been submitted and gave those amounts to the council, who voted to allow the mayor to sign after receiving approval from the Transportation Improvement Board.

A proposal was made to place a suggestion box on the vacant lot during Cruizin’ Harrington to gather ideas from residents about their preference for its use and development.

Mayor Haas discussed the opportunity for Harrington to host a Justin Clouse Memorial event on June 10. The event is usually held in Sprague, but due to the flooding problem there, Tina Clouse had asked if Harrington would be the host. Her son lost his life in service to our country. The memorial supports yearly scholarships. The event includes 150-200 motorcycles, 15 vendors, eight bands and a poker run in which the motorcycle groups travel to a triangle of towns to get cards for their poker hand. Council members insisted that there be no alcohol on city property, that residents be notified of the increase in noise and that a street permit would be required. The council voted 4-0 in favor of sponsoring the event.

In response to last month’s request about expenditures for snow removal, Haas stated that the snow removal line item is within the budget. Discussion was held again on the apple maggot quarantine, the need for education, and the options available to the city. To comply with the present situation, green waste must be kept separate from garbage collection. Residents will need to learn and follow the city directives. Lack of compliance will result in a major hike in city-wide garbage bills. Details are currently being worked out by the city maintenance crew with the mayor and council. An effort has been made to remove branches and leaves around city properties.

An update was given on the condition of the Memorial Hall, and it was noted that bids for the work have been submitted. The potential chicken ordinance was also addressed. There are two options for chicken licenses: an annual license or an initial fee. When the discussion turned toward enforcement, the council’s general position was that there is no time, employee or interest at present in adding to the responsibilities of the city by working any further with the chicken ordinance. Another issue was owner versus renter for the license. Terms like “sound judgment” would need a specific definition. The council left the issue with “no action taken.”

Mayor Haas stated that Harrington has over 100 dogs in town, and this takes time and energy to keep on top of. Davenport brought up two issues: the current status of the storm drainage ditch and the potential mosquito problem when they begin hatching. Brief discussion was also held regarding a storage container for the flags for the cemetery. No decision was made. The Lions are looking into the cost for a kit and pad for a pole barn.

Englert family relatives

Local Harrington librarian Marge Womach met Friday with Vicki Paxton from the east coast to aid in the location of data pertaining to her relatives, Wm. H. Englert and his mother-in-law Mary Gregoire Canell Rouseau. Englert and his family came to Harrington in 1904 and remained until about 1911. While here he owned a barber shop and lived in the downtown section near First National Bank (now US Bank). His wife’s mother lived with them, and the family attended the Catholic church on the corner of Alice and 2nd. As with many other early deaths, the burial in 1909 of Mary Rouseau remains a mystery. The Catholic funeral ledger shows her burial in St. Francis Cemetery in Harrington, while the cemetery mapping by the Catholic Church does not show the burial. Consequently, the City of Harrington does not have a location for the grave. It was concluded that it was possible the family moved the body, since they left town within two years, and may have had her exhumed with final burial elsewhere.

 

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