Hometown Matters

By Pauline Masson First in a series – Change is in the air. Two candidates’ names will be on the ballot for the Ward Two seat in the April 5 municipal election.  The seat is empty after Herb Adams, who occupied it for the past two years, filed to to run for mayor. Ward Two candidates Stephen Flannery III and James Cleeve are on opposite ends of opinions on a new residential development in progress that has created a rift … Continue reading “Ward Two Race Will Bring a New Voice to the Board of Aldermen”

By Pauline Masson – Local Knights of Columbus members got more than they anticipated January 18 when they presented a check for $1,000 to 15-year-old girl who is hearing impaired. The money was collected from Father Berry Council Knights of Columbus members and friends of Knights in lieu of the annual Tootsie Roll drive. “Usually we stand in front of stores and hand out Tootsie Rolls and ask for donations, said Bruce Johnson, 2022 Tootsie Roll drive chair. “But this … Continue reading “Tootsie Roll Drive Recipient Wins Hearts of Knights of Columbus / and Educators”

On January 29, the Pacific community will pay tribute to a hometown hero and simultaneously help a lot of people who have fallen on hard times. The Pacific Area Chamber of Commerce will dedicate its annual community charity benefit, “Piano’s for a Purpose,” to the memory of the late Al Baldwin, by sharing the profits from the gala with one of Al’s favorite causes, the Safety Net program that benefits students and families that have been displaced from their homes. … Continue reading “Al Baldwin, Hometown Hero to be Honored for Commitment to Displaced Families”

Eleven candidates’ name will be on the ballot for six city offices in the April 5, 2022 Pacific municipal election. Six are new to elective office in Pacific but none are completely new to city government activities. Candidates include three incumbents, one acting incumbent, one former alderman, one former police officer, one current reserve police officer, two veteran city committee members and civic leaders and two political activists. There are races in four of the seats. The seats of marshal/police … Continue reading “Here Are the Candidates Who Are Asking for Your Vote in the April 5 Municipal Election”

For more than 40 years he operated a popular florist and gift shop at 404 South First Street, hosted an annual Christmas Open House, and turned a small 1957s bungalow on South First Street into a historic showplace. Through it all, he never saw a beautiful piece of home decor, China, crystal, statuary, mirror or art that he didn’t like. And he collected, EVERYTHING. For the past ten years he and his wife Angie have lived in a two-story, four … Continue reading “After Surviving COVID, Local Collector to Sell 50-Year Cache of China, Crystal, Porcelain, Silver and Art”

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”