In 1969, the Hilltop Multi-Service Center lent a helping hand to those whose Thanksgiving may have otherwise been bleak by providing boxes stuffed with nourishing food and drink. Bags of potatoes and cans of soup, salad, and fruit accompanied the fixings for pumpkin pie and cake. Assisting Henrietta Jones fill the first of 75 boxes was Mel Jackson, director of the center. The Hilltop Multi-Service Center was located at 1209 So. I St. , the former site of the First Norwegian Lutheran Church parsonage. Hilltop Multi-Service's annual holiday program to help the disadvantaged would continue to Christmas. Photograph ordered by Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 11-27-69, A-18)

Hilltop Multi-Service Center (Tacoma); Charity--Tacoma; Food--Tacoma; Jones, Henrietta; Jackson, Mel; African Americans--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Randy and Billy Mohan smilingly hold up "Season's Greetings" cards on November 25, 1969. Although it is not yet December, tinsel and holly serve as a holiday background. The two blond haired boys were awaiting the annual Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc., Yule-time parties, this year held at several different locations. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 12-14-69, A-17)

Boys--Tacoma--1960-1970; Mohan, Randy; Mohan, Billy; Greeting cards;

The Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. each year sponsored a Christmas party for underprivileged children. Donations were requested from the general public to help make Christmas a happier time for low-income children. Two little children from the day care center at St. John Baptist Church demonstrate how to deposit donations into specially crafted mailboxes while a young lady displays an unfilled pledge card. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc.

Mailboxes--Tacoma; Correspondence; Fund raising--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Standing on the front steps of the old Northern Pacific Hospital on November 25, 1969, is Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc., board chairman L.H. Pedersen. The ODI had looked to place its new "Humanities Center" at the old railroad hospital if its special-use permit application was approved by the City Planning Commission. ODI offices and agencies, including the Tacoma Narcotics Center, would be housed in one central location. The non-profit private corporation administered 20 units of the War on Poverty program under the Office of Economic Opportunity guidelines. It was decided to postpone its bid for the hospital due to opposition from McKinley Hill residents. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 11-9-69, B-16; TNT 11-14-69, A-9)

Northern Pacific Beneficial Association Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1960-1970; Pedersen, L.H.; Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (Tacoma);

In November of 1969, Mayor-elect Gordon Johnston assisted three Senior Girl Scouts in wrapping Christmas presents for the needy. The gifts would be distributed at the third annual Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunities Development, Inc. (ODI) Christmas party, to be held in several different locations in 1969 in order to accommodate more children. Assisting the mayor-elect, the honorary chairman of the citywide celebration, are: (l-r) Jane Evans, Diana Moser and Nancy Nelson. Publicity photo for Tacoma - Pierce County ODI . ALBUM 14. (TNT 11-30-69, A-17)

Johnston, Gordon N.; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Christmas presents; Evans, Jane; Moser, Diana; Nelson, Nancy;

Soccer team. This team of 9-year-olds was sponsored by philanthropist Ben Cheney. It was one of many "Cheney Studs" teams that was able to participate in amateur sports thanks to Mr. Cheney's generosity. The soccer team, coached by Jim Strader, posed for their group portrait on November 22, 1969, at Lakewood's Forest Park. They are all dressed uniformly except for the boy kneeling in front cradling the ball; presumably the goalie, he is wearing a white jersey. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Soccer players--Lakewood; Soccer--Lakewood; Balls (Sporting goods);

1969 Richards stock footage. Group portrait of City Manager David Rowlands and family and Bil and Harold Moss. Man standing next to Mrs. Moss is not identified. On November 17, 1969, Mr. Rowlands was honored at a testimonial dinner held in the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom. He had just completed his last day on the job, resigning after 13 1/2 years as the City of Tacoma's manager. The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, Tacoma Area Urban Coalition, and Tacoma Urban League jointly sponsored the dinner; a reception was held earlier at the University of Puget Sound in which more than 500 people attended to bid farewell. Proceeds from the dinner and reception would go toward establishing a David Rowlands Scholarship Fund to aid low-income students. (TNT 11-13-69, D-13; TNT 11-18-69, p. 1)

Rowlands, David; Rowlands, David--Family; Rowlands, Sally; Moss, Harold; Moss, Bil; Banquets--Tacoma--1960-1970;

1969 Richards stock footage. A beaming Harold Moss, at the podium, seems to have the head table in stitches at a testimonial dinner honoring City Manager David Rowlands on November 17, 1969. Next to Mr. Rowlands is his wife, Sally, and two sons David Rowlands, Jr. and John. Mr. Moss' wife, Bil, is also seated at the head table next to an unidentified man. Guests seated at round banquet tables in the Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom appear to be enjoying Mr. Moss' remarks. November 17th was Mr. Rowlands' last day as City Manager; he had resigned after 13 1/2 years on the job, the last two marked with tumultuous council meetings. Proceeds from the dinner attended by more than 250 people would go toward launching a David Rowlands Scholarship Fund to help low-income students. The dinner honoring Mr. Rowlands and his family was a joint project of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, Tacoma Area Urban Coalition, and Tacoma Urban League. Earlier that day a reception was held at the University of Puget Sound coordinated by the Rowland family's neighbors in which more than 500 people attended to thank Mr. Rowlands for his years of service. (TNT 11-13-69, D-13; TNT 11-18-69, p. 1)

Rowlands, David; Rowlands, David--Family; Rowlands, Sally; Moss, Harold; Moss, Bil; Banquets--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Madrigal Singers. The 14-member Madrigal Singers from the University of Puget Sound posed for their annual photograph on November 15, 1969 in Jacobsen Recital Hall. The group was directed by Dr. Bruce Rodgers. Each year they presented a Christmas program for students and the general public. In background L-R: Doreen Dolman, Roger Sassnett, Susan Arbury, Peter Schindler, Alfred D. McKelvy, Patricia Morgan, Stewart Hanson, Linda Smith. Front: Curtis Barber, Ronda Ghylin, Howard Fankhauser, Terry Eicher, Kathy Moles, Kathy Smith. Photograph ordered by the School of Music, University of Puget Sound. (TNT 12-7-69, D-10)

Singers; Choirs (Music); Students--Tacoma--1960-1970; University of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1960-1970;

Delivery. Carl Albertson (at left) and Dick Fenger are apparently exchanging paperwork regarding the delivery of Washington Iron Works' heavy duty equipment by Widing Transportation Co. in mid-November, 1969. Widing Transportation arranged for heavy hauling through several West Coast states and up to British Columbia by St. Johns Motor Express, a division of the company. Mr. Albertson was one of the top two drivers for Widing at the time. Mr. Fenger was the head of its heavy haul division. The large piece of equipment shown above has been identified by a reader as a portion of a "spar pole" used to pull logs up the hill to a landing where they would be loaded onto a logging truck. Seattle's Washington Iron Works specialized in manufacturing equipment for the logging industry. Photograph ordered by Widing Transportation Co., Portland. (Identification and information provided by a reader)

Trucks--Washington; Shipping--Washington; Widing Transportation Co. (Portland, OR); Albertson, Carl; Fenger, Dick;

Chief Henry Sicade Orthopedic Guild. Four members of the guild display handmade toys at the home of Mrs. Jim Koch, 2508 Berry Lane E., Fife, on November 13, 1969. The Chief Henry Sicade Orthopedic Guild, a member of the Tacoma Orthopedic Association, would be presenting the 14th annual guild fashion show, this year entitled "Winter Wonderland," where handcrafted holiday fashions would be on display. Christmas bazaar items would also be on sale. The event would take place at the Fife High School auditorium with all proceeds earmarked for the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. From L-R are bazaar chairman Mrs. William Merrill; guild president Mrs. David Hall; show co-chairmen Mrs. William Shilling and Mrs. L.M. Koch. (TNT 11-30-69, E-5)

Koch, Jim--Homes & haunts; Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Chief Henry Sicade Orthopedic Guild (Fife); Women--Clubs--Tacoma; Clubwomen--Fife; Toys;

New Thriftco. Co-managers Jack Borell and Ray Wall, kneeling front row, lead their staff at the opening of the new Westgate Thriftco at 5739 No. 26th St. on November 11, 1969. The former Sib's Supermarket was purchased by the Klauser Corporation, operator of four other Thriftco's in the area. Both managers brought a wealth of experience to the new Thriftco. Jack Borell graduated from White River High School and Western Washington State College; he had previously been the manager of the Renton Thriftco. Ray Wall, a lifelong Tacoma resident, was a Stadium High School graduate as well as graduating from the University of Puget Sound and University of Washington. Mr. Wall had been in the grocery business for 35 years. Complete list of individuals pictured above was printed in a Thriftco advertisement in the News Tribune dated 11-17-69. Photograph ordered by the News Tribune. (TNT 11-5-69, D-13; TNT 11-17-69, p. 11)

Thriftco (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Borell, Jack; Wall, Ray;

Lakewood Summer Festival princess Jana Oglesbee grabs a winning entry at the United Mutual Savings Bank's grand opening of their Lakewood community branch on November 10, 1969. Although the branch officially opened on November 1st, November 10th was selected as the date of the prize drawings. First prize was an 18" portable Admiral color TV; a Polaroid color camera was awarded as the second prize and a short wave radio given away as third prize. Robert E. Kahle was the branch manager in charge of a staff of three full-time employees. Photograph ordered by United Mutual Savings Bank. (TNT 10-29-69, D-15; TNT Ad 10-31-69, C-1)

United Mutual Savings Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Awards; Oglesbee, Jana;

Kiyonaga funeral. 44-year-old Masumi Kiyonaga, chief officer of the MS Toten Maru, was killed when pinned by a 30-foot pontoon he was trying to fasten to the hatch on rough seas between San Francisco and Tacoma. It was the Toten Maru's maiden voyage from Japan. The ship arrived in Tacoma on November 6, 1969, and funeral services for Mr. Kiyonaga were held at the Tacoma Buddhist Church the following day. Members of the crew, church members and Rev. Shoki Mohri posed for a funeral portrait in front of the church at 1717 Fawcett Ave. A framed photograph of the ship's officer and an urn containing his ashes are being held by members of the funeral group. Photograph ordered by P. H. Esshom, district operations manager of General Steamship Co., Seattle.

Funeral rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1960-1970; Kiyonaga, Masumi--Associated objects; Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church (Tacoma); Mohri, Shoki; Clergy--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Kiyonaga Buddhist funeral. The ashes and memorial portrait of Japanese ship officer Masumi Kiyonaga are displayed in front of the golden altar at the Tacoma Buddhist Church, 1717 Fawcett Ave., on November 7, 1969. Sprays of chrysanthemums, a traditional mourning flower, decorate the altar. Mr. Kiyonaga, chief officer aboard the MS Toten Maru, died when he was pinned by a 30-foot pontoon on rough seas between San Francisco and Tacoma. Services were held at the Tacoma Buddhist Church and his cremated remains were later sent back to relatives in Japan. Photograph ordered by P.H. Esshom, District Operations Mgr., General Steamship Co, Seattle. (TNT 11-6-69, A-1)

Funeral rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1960-1970; Kiyonaga, Masumi--Associated objects; Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church (Tacoma); Altars--Tacoma; Chrysanthemums--Tacoma;

Thriftco opened at N. 26th & Pearl, the site of the former Sib's Supermarket, in early November of 1969. Thriftco was the new name for the Thriftway chain of supermarkets. Co-managers Jack Borell (L) and Ray Wall (extreme R) posed with Klauser Corporation president Russ Klauser on November 4, 1969. Klauser operated the four other Thriftco stores in this area. The new N. 26th & Pearl store would celebrate its grand opening from November 6-8th. It had been remodeled and equipped with new fixtures. Photograph ordered by the News Tribune. (TNT 11-5-69, D-13)

Thriftco (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Borell, Jack; Wall, Ray; Klauser, Russ;

McKesson & Robbins Drug Co. - exterior. McKesson & Robbins, a wholesale drug company, opened new offices at 9821- 40th Ave. SW in Lakewood in the latter part of 1969. The 35,000 sq.ft. building was constructed of steel and masonry. Parking spots were provided in front of the one-story contemporary building. The view above of the office and warehouse looks north. Photograph ordered by McKesson & Robbins Drug Co. (TNT 12-14-69, D-11)

McKesson & Robbins Drug Co. (Lakewood); Facades--Lakewood--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Lakewood; Warehouses--Lakewood;

Interior-McKesson & Robbins Drug Co. warehouse. Large view windows look onto the interior of the warehouse including conveyor belt system and rows of shelving. In late 1969, McKesson & Robbins Drug Co. opened offices and a warehouse at 9821-40th Ave. S.W., in Lakewood. The company was a wholesale drug distributor. Kenneth Morrison was listed in the 1970 Tacoma Suburban directory as the office manager. Mr. Morrison, according to a brief article in the News Tribune's December 14, 1969, issue, was formerly the sales manager at McKesson & Robbins' Billings, Montana location. Photograph ordered by McKesson & Robbins Drug Co. (TNT 12-14-69, D-11)

McKesson & Robbins Drug Co. (Lakewood); Industrial facilities--Lakewood; Warehouses--Lakewood; Belts & belting (Equipment);

An unidentified man is partially obscured by the blast of steam as he is cleaning the exterior of the Widing Transportation truck to ready it for repairs on November 1, 1969. The truck was parked at a terminal in the 24000 block of Pacific Hwy. S., in the Midway area. The building shown above was called the "wash rack" which was used to clean and purify the tanks inside. Widing Transporattion, a long distance hauler, operated from British Columbia, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Washington and California. Photograph ordered by Widing Transportation Co., Portland. (Information provided by a reader)

Trucks--Washington; Shipping--Washington; Widing Transportation Co. (Portland, OR); Cleaning;

Color portrait of a 2 1/2 year old boy with the classic "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel" in lap. The blond, blue-eyed child is wearing a colorful red, blue and green striped outfit. He is seated in a child-sized chair placed on a small table. The photograph was taken at the Oakbrook home of Ben Drew, Jr., 7113 Citrine Lane S.W. Photograph ordered by Mrs. Ben Drew, Jr.

Drew, Ben--Homes & haunts; Boys--Lakewood; Books; Children--Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1960-1970;

A little blond, blue-eyed boy holds his book tightly against his body as he smiles for the Richards photographer on October 29, 1969. The 2 1/2 year old was having his picture taken at the residence of Ben Drew, Jr., 7113 Citrine Lane S.W. in the Oakbrook community of Lakewood. The child is dressed in a blue, red and green outfit with white sleeves. Seated in a small child-sized captain's chair, his legs do not quite touch the table top. Color photograph ordered by Mrs. Ben Drew, Jr.

Drew, Ben--Homes & haunts; Boys--Lakewood; Books; Children--Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1960-1970;

Thanks to the generosity of lumber magnate Ben Cheney, thousands of local youth were able to participate in group sports. The football team above, composed of 12-year-olds, was just one of the many outfitted by Mr. Cheney's sponsorship. Spaulding helmets, bright red jerseys, and white pants, were issued to team members. The two men in the October 26, 1969, group portrait were probably the team's coaches. Color photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Football players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Football--Tacoma--1960-1970; Footballs; Uniforms; Helmets;

Boat launching. The 160-foot all-aluminum ferry, the "Avalon," was successfully launched on October 25, 1969, by Martinolich Shipbuilding from their plant on the Port Industrial Waterway. The sleek vessel had a 27-foot beam and tipped the scale at 182 tons displacement. Four marine gas turbines powered the twin variable-pitch propellors. The "Avalon" was built for Holiday Services for use in shuttling passengers to Santa Catalina, about 26 miles from Los Angeles. She could carry up to 500 passengers with speeds of 25-28 knots. Built for more than $2,000,000, the "Avalon" would be delivered to the San Pedro area about two weeks after its launch date. Mrs. Robert Sprague, wife of one of the ship's owners, had christened the vessel with the traditional bottle of champagne. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 10-12-69, D-12; TNT 10-27-69, p. 6) tnt (A)-052A

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Mrs. Robert Sprague of Los Angeles performs the customary duties of ship sponsor as she christens the new all-aluminum ferry, "Avalon," at Martinolich Shipbuilding, on the Port Industrial Waterway, on October 25, 1969. Mrs. Sprague was the wife of one of the ship's owners. The "Avalon" was the largest all-aluminum passenger ferry ever built and would be delivered to Holiday Services in San Pedro, California, two weeks after launching. The ferry, with a 27-foot beam, could carry up to 500 people at once. She would be used to shuttle passengers to Santa Catalina, some 26 miles from Los Angeles. With a maximum speed of 28 knots, the "Avalon" would replace outdated and too expensive steamships. Martinolich built a big new shipshed, with height of 40-feet, to house the ferry while under construction. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 11-20-68, p. 1; TNT 10-12-69, D-12; TNT 10-27-69, p. 6)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sprague, Robert--Family;

Seagulls are naturally drawn to landfills, but too many gulls can create a messy nuisance. An unidentified Tacoma Public Works employee contemplates the old method of rousting gulls, a shotgun, with the latest technology of 1969--the Comet Bird Scare Cannon.

Candy Diehl was the recipient of a Chrysler air conditioner from Aaberg Rental Co., 1407 Puyallup Ave., on October 21, 1969. Paul Sanders is believed to be the man shaking her hand. Photograph ordered by Air-Tec, Seattle.

Diehl, Candy; Aaberg Rental Co. (Tacoma); Shaking hands--Tacoma;

October 20, 1969, progress photograph on the construction of the new (National) Bank of Washington plaza at 12th & Pacific Ave. Heavy duty cranes are being employed to position rebar reinforcing columns for the walls of the new floors being built at the site. Once completed, the new bank building will be the tallest structure in Tacoma, passing its neighbor, the Puget Sound National Bank, by several stories. Photograph ordered by Donald M. Drake Co., Portland, general contractor for the project.

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

A variety of photographs were taken of the interior and exterior of the Potlatch Forests, Inc., plant located in Lewiston, Idaho, in mid-October of 1969. The wood products stacked above inside an open container have been identified by a reader as presto-logs (Pres-to-Logs) designed by Potlatch in 1930 as a way to use sawdust from the lumber mill. Pres-to-Logs were a slow-burning, almost smokeless fuel which were ideal for fireplaces both in the home or on railcars. They were made using a process which involved extreme heat, high pressure and moisture. By the looks of the cobwebby substance draped over the particular logs in the photograph, they may have been stored there awhile and may have been the home to many spiders. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York. (Additional information provided by a reader and company history by www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Potlatch-Corporation-Company-History)

Potlatch Forests, Inc. (Lewiston, ID); Lumber industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Paper industry--Idaho--1960-1970;