Articles written by Joy Wilken


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  • Fraser named Sprague Citizen of the Year

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Free Press|Updated Feb 1, 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...

  • Viking Drive-Inn survives challenges

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Free Press|Updated Jan 4, 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-Inn 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 out. The biggest challenge since the end of the pandemic shutdowns, a...

  • Turkey Bingo in Sprague

    Joy Wilken, Special to Cheney Free Press|Updated Nov 10, 2022

    The Sprague Chamber of Commerce hosted Turkey Bingo fundraiser last week, with a full house turning out. The event raised $800 after the bills were paid, organizers said. In addition, Feed Sprague raised $144 from concession donations to help indigent residents....

  • Locals celebrate Sprague Days

    Joy Wilken, Special to The Free Press|Updated Oct 12, 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...

  • Dick and Claudette Sharp named Sprague Days grand marshals

    Joy Wilken, Special to Free Press|Updated Aug 25, 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 of Ritzville from 1...

  • Sprague Days offered family fun

    Joy Wilken, Special to the Free Press|Updated Sep 16, 2021

    SPRAGUE – Residents and dozens of visitors hit downtown over the weekend for the annual Sprague Days celebration, enjoying the sunny weather. The theme of the event was Remembering 9/11. The festival parade was led by a National Guard truck and various veterans and enlisted service members. There was a lot of classic chassis and motorcycles, too, in the parade as well as the Car and Bike Show. The celebration included live music, good food, free family fun activities and v...

  • 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...