Compiled by Don Hoiness from archived copies of The Bulletin at the Des Chutes Historical Museum.

100 YEARS AGO

For the week ending

July 26, 1914

First butter at creamery

Bend’s co-operative creamery is now an established fact. After months of work the new institution is in operation.

And not only is its completion a tribute to the progressive spirit of the farmers who are backing it and who chiefly will be benefited by it, but even better, it is a gratifying proof that the farmers of the Bend country and the business men of Bend can get together and co-operate.

Yesterday the first butter was made. Saturday the first butter will be sold. Probably it will be pretty expensive butter, too, because the highest bidder is to get it, and many desire the distinction of securing the initial pound.

First butter is high priced

“Butter — Central Oregon Farmers Creamery, cubes, selling price $1.00 to $7.00 per pound, supply ample, demand brisk.”

If The Bulletin ran a market page some such report as the above would be carried to describe the condition of the local butter market on Saturday, bringing joy to the producer of butter fat and sorrow to the consumers, already struggling with the problem of the high cost of living.

The high cost of living, however, did not seem to bother the 10 local men who were responsible for the unusual butter price of Saturday, or if it did it was less of a consideration to them than their desire to give the new creamery one good final boost before it settled down to business. As the result the creamery is richer than it was and 10 families hereabout are trying to see just how far butter can go that costs a dollar or more a pound.

The occasion of the high prices was the auction sale of the first butter made in the new creamery. Ten pounds were sold, the honor of getting the first pound going to R.M. Smith at a cost of $7.00.

The other nine pounds went at prices ranging from $3.50 to $1.00, the total receipts for the 10 pounds being $25.75.

Water trough for horses

Bend is to have a free drinking trough for horses, a convenience for farmers, and at least a couple of modern sanitary drinking fountains for the thirsty folks on the streets, probably of the same general design as have been installed in Portland and other cities.

75 YEARS AGO

For the week ending

July 26, 1939

Why stomach the paradox (Editorial)

The Oregonian insists that one must learn to stomach the paradoxes involved in such situations as the transport by British ships of scrap iron to Japan which will use it, as someone wrote to the editor, “To blow the English to h—-.” Says the Portland paper: “Suppose that the nations should attempt to correct the situation, and every country should stop shipping anything that the country to which it was shipped might use in case of war. The result would be war at once.”

It seems to us that the situation is not so simple as indicated by the Oregonian. Under normal conditions no one would ever think of questioning the shipment of goods that might be used in case of war, even actual munitions. But conditions are not normal. Japan today is threatening Britain in the Orient. It is not inconceivable that armed conflict will result. Under such conditions it is difficult to understand how a British ship owner is willing to carry to Japan, with its high potential as an enemy in war, the stuff that might destroy his ship or his son.

It has been said that in the World War there were munition makers who fattened on profits from sales of their products used to destroy their fellow countrymen. The report, when made brought universal condemnation. The present instance is but one remove from that.

Trade is the backbone of business but it is not necessary that it be set up, in every form and with any and all customers, as a supreme good. There are important exceptions and here would seem to be one of them. The paradox should not be stomached.

Peace rumors are denied by Allied powers

Great Britain, France and Poland sought to make it clear to all Europe today that they were going to avoid “another Munich.”

From London and Paris came indignant denials of reports circulating throughout European capitals that some sort of negotiations were contemplated or under way in an attempt to stabilize peace.

“Nazi propaganda seeking to sow discord among Britain, France and Poland,” unofficial but authoritative sources in Paris said.

“We’re ready to resist and more in Danzig,” official sources in Warsaw said, announcing that orders had been given for Polish sentries to fire on anyone violating the Polish-Danzig frontier.

From Rome and the Vatican also came denials of reports published in London that the pope or Premier Benito Mussolini had advanced a plan for solution of the Danzig quarrel.

The pope believes that all efforts should be concentrated on direct negotiations between Poland and Germany to settle the status of Danzig, it was said, but no concrete plan will come from the Vatican.

50 YEARS AGO

For the week ending

July 26, 1964

Great white swan poised for pageant

By Phil F. Brogan

A great white swan was poised under Bend’s Mirror Pond Pageant arch of 1964 today, ready to move into the Deschutes when skies darken Friday evening.

Behind the arch, characterized this year by its massive surface which will make possible the maximum use of floodlighting, there was much activity. Floats have been moved into position, decorating details are being completed and lighting tested.

Friday, Queen Marina I will mount her royal swan barge, princesses will take their position on cygnets, and the opening pageant will be underway.

Pre-pageant programs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will start at 7:30, with much of the music centering around the 1964 pageant theme, “Sounds of a Nation.”

Not all activity will center around the Mirror Pond program. Scores of other events are scheduled, with a Water Pageant golf tournament to start Friday. Also opening tomorrow will be the Deschutes Geology Club’s gem and mineral exhibit. Friday Bend Bowmen will open their archery booth in Drake Park. There will be art exhibits at 851 Roosevelt Avenue.

Saturday, featuring a pet parade that will attract royal courts from a number of counties, will be held. Joining in that parade will be the Al Kader Band of Portland.

25 YEARS AGO

For the week ending

July 26, 1989

She just wants the people of Bend to have fun

Carrie Whitaker, the administrator, is not so far removed from Carrie Whitaker, the playground instructor who joined the Bend Metro Park and Recreation District as a seasonal employee 16 years ago.

She’s working in the same program, but now she’s at the top instead of the bottom.

Whitaker is the district’s recreation director. She organizes Summer and Winter recreation programs which attract more than 10,000 youth and adult participants each year.

Bend-area residents should recognize the programs. They include everything from soccer to organized playground activities for children from fly fishing to bike tours for teens, from rowing to dance classes for adults, from golf to softball for seniors.

“We’re just expanding all over the place,” she said. “When I started in ’73, our recreation brochure was a one-page flier. Now it’s 37 pages of programs.”

In fact after graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in park and recreation management, she worked for free at the park district for three months before an opening became available.

“I really wanted to stay here,” she said of Bend. “I love this place. They couldn’t get rid of me so they decided they might as well hire me and give me something to do.”

She was hired, and other than brief absences to finish college, she has never left.

Since she switched from teaching to organizing recreation programs, Whitaker misses being with youths, especially teenagers.

“Something I know is that at this stage of my life I would be a much better leader,” she said. “I have a real special place in my heart for kids going through adolescence and how tough it is.”

Whitaker still tries to spend time with various programs to keep in touch.

The goal of recreation programs isn’t simply to let youths have fun, Whitaker said.

“They’re really vehicles to bring so much more to kids,” she said. “I think the social skills are important. They learn to work with a group and how to share while still learning how to have fun.”

Participation is emphasized. The programs are designed to keep the competition low enough so that youths aren’t afraid to perform.

The balance between winning and participation is always difficult, especially in sports programs as youth grow older, Whitaker said.

But the park district works at achieving the balance through its instructors, and that is one of the reasons why programs are expanding, she said.