By Marjorie Womach
Special to The Record 

Harrington Opera House Society hosts annual meeting

 

Last updated 1/20/2021 at 4:20pm



HARRINGTON – The Harrington Opera House Society met for their 2020 annual meeting wrap-up on Jan 4, 2021 in the Art Room with the following present: Ellen Evans, Becky Moeller, Mark and Sheryl Stedman, Ed and Bunny Haugan, Gordon and Billie Herron and Linda Wagner. The group approved payment of membership dues to the Harrington Chamber of Commerce for the 2021 year. Billie Herron had met with a representative of Leffel, Otis & Warwick regarding continued auditing and filing of tax returns, when Herron’s computer is removed from the process. The expense per year for their accounting will be $500. Wagner noted that she would send a thank you note to the Lincoln County Commissioners for the CARE money they allotted to HOHS.

Projects were discussed. The door repair is yet on the list. The pew cushions are awaiting the plywood and then assembling will begin. The first-aid kit has arrived and the best location for installation needs to be determined. Loren Tikka has been consigned to do the stairway railing for an estimated three hours of labor and $160 for materials. The project for a new stairway to the basement, which would allow access from the rummage room area, was discussed. Engineering plans had been drafted some years ago. The floor plan in the Art Room and restrooms may be altered. The electrical wiring will also be affected. A possible fire escape for the rear of the building is to be a consideration during the project.

The position of co-treasurer was eliminated, and the new position of Investment Administrator was created. Election of officers resulted in the following: President: Ellen Evans; Vice President: Mark Stedman; Treasurer: Becky Moeller; Investment Administrator: Ed Haugan; Secretary: Bunny Haugan; and Historian: Ed Haugan. The next meeting will be held Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Art Room.

Obituary prompts memories

The necessary changes in our local newspapers carry several levels of sadness.

Who could imagine that the day would come that we would need to pay for an obituary of a loved one to be published in our local papers. For years and years my computer has exchanged obits with others in eastern and central Washington including Lois McMillan, Pat Rice, Irma Gfeller, Nancy Ellis, Sandra Brommer, Jana Johansson, Marietta Stokes, Rella Gleason, Maggie Rail, Andi McDonald, and shirttail cousin Fred Pflugrath. (If I’ve missed a few names, it is likely age-related.)

Some of these fantastic researchers have preceded the rest of us to the other side. Those of us that continue to gather data are occasionally caught up short with the recognition of a loved one in the name on the obit. Such was the case on my computer screen recently, when I began reading an email with the obit of one Alfred Adam Pflugrath who died Dec. 17, 2020. My mind went fondly to the Pflugrath family reunions that I had attended with the Dammels and Aunt Rose Law, who is now 108 years of age and residing in Monroe.

The Pflugrath reunions were always marked with family photos and visits to the Lind Cemetery where Samuel Pflugrath and his wife Phillippina Jenner Pflugrath await the resurrection. Sam and Phillippina came from South Russia in 1873 and settled first at Scotland, South Dakota where five sons and two daughters died. In 1900, the family came to Adams County, Wash., where the family was able to thrive. All together they gave birth to a total of nine sons and five daughters.

As I reread the obit of Alfred, the realization that “this is our Fred” became apparent. His knowledge was unfathomable as was his desire to preserve the history and historic connections he was able to find for those seeking genealogical connectedness. His work on military records of all who are buried in Lincoln and Adams counties was profound. His family highlighted his nickname, “Human Encyclopedia of Local History.” Many with relatives buried in eastern Washington have been the recipient of Fred’s generosity of time and knowledge.

 

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