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Articles written by Joy Wilken


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  • Fraser named Sprague Citizen of the Year

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Journal|Updated Jan 30, 2024

    SPRAGUE-The local Chamber of Commerce awarded local man John Fraser the title of 2023 Citizen of the Year at the Chamber's Annual Meeting Monday, Jan. 15. Fraser's community service accolades are expansive. He spends several days per week picking up food donated to Feed Sprague and Manna Monday Meals, has occasionally volunteered to cook for Manna Mondays, picks up donated clothes and Meals on Wheels for community members in Sprague and Lamont and hauls refuse to Gina...

  • Two women keep The Viking alive in Sprague

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Journal|Updated Jan 2, 2024

    SPRAGUE – Two local women have combined their efforts over the last five years to keep a restaurant open in the wake of COVID shutdown mandates and challenges finding employees. Sheila Martin and sister-in-law Linda Johnston took over The Viking Drive-In in 2019, following the death of Martin's husband, Gary Martin. You can find them at the 209 E. Fourth St. restaurant daily. Sister Barb Shafer also helps with the business. The biggest challenge since the end of the p...

  • Kathy's Market gets new life

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Journal|Updated Dec 5, 2023

    SPRAGUE – Kathy's Market has been revitalized. Raj Singh purchased the grocery story in December 2022. At the time, the store had a considerable amount of old inventory and dusty shelves and little produce. But Singh has been in the grocery business for 14 years and understood the upgrades it would need. He owns three other markets: Jim's Market in Lind, a grocery store in Mansfield and a convenience store and gas station in Spokane Valley. Singh's first steps were to hire l...

  • Balfe named Sprague grand marshal

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Journal|Updated Aug 29, 2023

    SPRAGUE – A lifelong resident has been named grand marshal for the 2023 Sprague Days Parade. Bernie Balfe was selected for the honor by the Sprague Chamber of Commerce. He will preside over this year's Sprague Days, set for Sept. 9-10. Sprague Days includes a Car and Bike Show, music and entertainment, a beer garden and the parade in which Balfe will preside. Balfe was raised in Sprague and graduated high school here. Balfe spent his whole life in Sprague, other than when h...

  • Sprague Days

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Journal|Updated Sep 27, 2022

    SPRAGUE – The annual Sprague Days celebration here was held Sept. 10-11. The weather was nice, and the parade was one of the longest in years for the event sponsored by the city and local Chamber of Commerce. The car & bike show brought many from out of town. there were many vendors who offered a great variety of products for sale. The style show included several locals and past royalty to entertain the pleased crowd. Live music kept toes tapping and the free games for kids h...

  • Sharps named Sprague Days grand marshals

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Journal|Updated Aug 23, 2022

    SPRAGUE – A local couple will share honors as the 2022 Sprague Days grand marshals. Dick and Claudette Sharp were selected to lead the Sept. 10 town celebration, which includes a parade, Renegade Restorations' car and bike show, a beer garden and more. The fun will last all day, organizers said, noting there is also a back sale, vendors in the park, family activities planned by Future Farmers of America students, a 3 p.m. raffle and music by The Old Dogs from 11:30 a.m. to 2...

  • Giddings selected Sprague grand marshal

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Journal|Updated Sep 9, 2021

    SPRAGUE – A local civil leader and businesswoman has been named grand marshal of the Sprague Days parade. Dorothy Giddings, 90, will lead the parade on Saturday morning, Sept. 11. The theme of the event is "Remembering 9/11." Local veterans are invited and expected to join the patriotic event. Giddings fell in love with the area in the early 1980s when she and her husband, Gary, visited on weekends to help his cousin operate Four Seasons Resort. The couple was hooked and b...