Hometown Matters

By Pauline Masson If you look up in the southwest sky this evening you’ll see a very bright star just above the horizon. That’s the planet Venus. And at this time of year it is the brightest star in the evening sky that can be seen with the naked eye. Venus keeps blinking at me each evening, as a teaser, a reminder of another star that we celebrate every December. The star of Bethlehem: The star that told the Wise … Continue reading “What Was the Star of Bethlehem?”

Some fourteen individuals were recognized for their contribution to the community in 2021 at the Pacific Area Chamber of Commerce / Pacific Partnership Christmas Party December 15 at the Pacific Eagles hall. A lively crowd of celebrants gathered for the event that was cancelled last year due to COVID. Among those honored were business leaders, civic volunteers, community supporters, one government official, and four first responders. Two individuals who passed away recently, Al Baldwin and Don Hazelwood (1948-2021) were remembered … Continue reading “Citizen of the Year and Other Luminaries Honored at Annual Christmas Gala”

By Pauline Masson Pacific’s nativity scene in the bluff is unique as outdoor manger scenes go. I mean where else would you see a cave half way up a big white mountain, except maybe in the Holy Land? And that brings me to the conclusion I have harbored for some years – that our nativity scene is a more likely representation of where Christ was born than the popular barn and stable that we see everywhere. What we know for … Continue reading “Nativity Scene Faithful to Christmas / Church Historians Say Christ Was Born in a Cave”

By Pauline Masson One Pacific area resident had a unique experience in the opening shots of World War II. On a Navy supply ship heading into the mouth of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941 – two hours before the arrival of Japanese bombers and their surprise attack on the Navy fleet there – the crew of the USS Antares witnessed the sinking of a Japanese submarine. It was first first shots of America’s entry into WWII but the … Continue reading “Pacific Area Resident Witnessed First Shots of WWII – But It Went Unreported for 40 Years”

To most Pacific residents the Lion’s Club Christmas tree on the bluff heralds the beginning of the holiday season. But what most resident probably don’t know is that the annual tradition started out as prank. A lighted and decorated town Christmas tree was first installed against a small light standard in the center of First and St. Louis streets, which locals called, the square, in 1931. It was Johnny Faszold’s idea. Johnny loved Christmas. That was the year he adorned … Continue reading “Christmas Tree on the Bluff Began as Prank / Norman Rockwell Moment to the Grinch that Stole Christmas”

By Pauline Masson Recently downtown businesswoman Nancy Omer began a search for B.F. Allen, the man who was the namesake of the Pacific School for Colored Children that taught elementary students here from 1887 to 1955. She said some type of marker should be placed near the location of the former schoolhouse at Osage and Fourth streets to show what occurred there. It turns out that a remarkable happening that propelled Benjamin Franklin “B.F.” Allen into the realm of education … Continue reading “Who Was B.F. Allen?”

By Pauline Masson Officials say it is time to notify residents that the life of the city swimming pool is nearing its end and the city must decide the future. The city pool, which anchors the entrance to the City Park ,was built in 1980. It features daily swimming in summer and is home to a swim club that attracts huge crowds of swimmers and their families for regional swim meets. But it is old as swimming pools go. During … Continue reading “Talk of a New City Swimming Pool or Rec Complex is in the Air / What Do You Think?”

By Pauline Masson Before the city fathers disband the cemetery committee and turn care of the cemeteries over to the city administrator, I want to share with readers what a group of community volunteers – the City Cemetery Committee – did for the city over the past twenty years. The recent cemetery committee was started in 2000, in the administration of former mayor Jill Pigg. The city owns two cemeteries – City Cemetery on North Orr Street and Resurrection Hill … Continue reading “Cemetery Committee Restored Neglected Burial Grounds into Places of Beauty / And Helped People Find Them”

By Pauline Masson For more than a hundred and twenty years the historic frame house has greeted motorists at the Osage and North First Street intersection with its perky front porch, twin pediments and vintage sandstone wall. A wrought iron fence was added above the wall 15 years ago. The Victorian style house was built in 1894, one of several impressive homes built by the family that operated Mauthe’s Department Store on St. Louis Street. (Later Leah’s Department Store)  For … Continue reading “Coffey Brings Back Romance of Victorian Era with Facelift of Historic House – Orchid Bouquet”

By Pauline Masson Does it really matter whether or not the police chief and city collector are city employees? In an attempt to justify the ordinance that makes the elected police chief and collector city employees, subordinate to the city personnel manual, acting board president and mayor pro team Herb Adams gave a lengthy speech Tuesday night, saying  “This is for the public.”  CORRECTION: In a 5-0 vote with one alderman absent, aldermen approved the ordinance at the Nov. 2 … Continue reading “Adams, Roth Defend Ordinance That Makes Police Chief and Collector City Employees”