1991: Dwight Cranston
Dwight Cranston was born in Longview in 1923, the same year his father began work with Long-Bell. Later, the family moved to Castle Rock, where 6-foot-3 Dwight found his passion and success on the gridiron and in the gym for the Rockets. He also found his future bride, Marilyn Swift. They postponed marriage for an education — his at UPS in Tacoma on a football and basketball scholarship, and hers at WSU. After marriage, he coached football, basketball, and track while teaching at R.A. Long. He’s in R.A. Long’s Hall of Fame and the state’s Hall of Fame for track and field coaches.

1992: Ruby Anderson
Born in Longview in 1925, Ruby Anderson grew up in the Highlands and Columbia Valley Gardens Homestead area. Involved in many civic organizations, she held multiple leadership positions at Longview Community Church, where she was a lifelong member. She studied journalism at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Because of her writing and speaking skills, she often emceed church events. In 1946, she married Guy O. Anderson (son of Guy L. Anderson). In the late 1960s, she joined her husband as a full-time partner in Guy’s Trailer Parts on Tennant Way.

1993: Harry “Hank” Hurst
Harry Hurst was among the first freshman class to attend R. A. Long High School. After graduating in 1932, he drove a tank truck for Gilmore Oil. By 1938, he was a branch manager, but volunteered to join the Army during World War II. In January 1945, mortar fire ended his wartime duties and nearly his life. Harry was being wrapped up for burial when a fellow soldier noticed slight movement. After recovering, he returned to work at Gilmore. He was also a parts manager in the automotive industry, retiring in 1993.

1994: Toini Harrison
Longview native Dr. Toini Harrison was a professor of family studies and a Castle Rock resident. She also gave lectures at churches and other venues about forging stronger relationships. After retiring, she spent two weeks in Florida organizing support groups for families after Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992. After returning, she told The Daily News about the psychological effects of disaster, noting that the children she saw were fearful when rain fell and winds blew.

1995: Ted M. Natt
Ted McClelland Natt was editor and publisher of The Daily News from 1977 until he retired in June 1999, when the paper was sold. Two months later, he died in a helicopter crash at age 58. His death shocked the community, and many volunteers to search for the crash site. He was well known for his daily front-page column, “Views of the News.” Among the causes he championed were emergency dredging of the Cowlitz River to prevent catastrophic flooding in the years following the Mount St. Helens eruption. He was the grandson of John M. McClelland Sr., the first publisher of The Longview Daily News.

1996: Delos D. Wilma
Delos “Dee” Wilma graduated from Lower Columbia Junior College in 1937 and two years later from the University of Washington, where he received a master’s degree in forestry. He married Agnes Evans in 1941. Their first apartment on the fourth floor of the Columbia Theatre building was lit each evening by the big theater marquee outside their window. He worked 42 years at Longview Fibre, retiring in 1982 as assistant superintendent of the west mill. In 1947, he and Agnes, along with three other couples, started a square dance group in Cowlitz Count

1997: Dr. John Berwind
John Berwind was born in Longview, but after attending St. Rose Catholic School, he was educated in boarding schools and graduated from Lakeside Academy in Seattle. He graduated from the University of Washington and earned his dental degree from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Berwind returned to his hometown to practice. His career included an appointment to the state’s new Dental Quality Assurance Commission in 1994. He supported public education. His name has appeared as a sponsor on ads backing school levies over the years.

1998: Reed Hadley
If there were a dynasty in the ’23 Club, it would be the Hadley family. Reed Hadley is a third-generation club president. Like grandfather Cliff and father Herb, he has a robust resume of civic activities: president of the Cowlitz County Bar Association, Noon Rotary, United Way, Pathways 2020, and Life Works. Known for his sense of humor, he’s had two careers: After 17 years of giving legal advice as an attorney, he shifted to providing financial advice for 25 years with Edward Jones. In retirement, he was chairman of the Longview Centennial Committee.

1999: John McClelland III
This third-generation McClelland chose not to follow in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps to become editor and publisher of The Daily News. After graduating from Lewis & Clark College in 1967, he lived and worked in Peru. In 1970, he returned with his Peruvian bride, Pauly, and eventually joined the News as a features writer from 1986 through 1999, when the paper was sold. He has written for the Cowlitz Historical Quarterly magazine and served 11 years on the Longview Library Foundation board.

2000: Ruby West
Ruby West was born in 1929, the fifth child of James and Victoria Freeman, who moved to Longview in 1923. Ruby left town after marrying Stu West, a U.S. Navy sailor, in 1950. Ten years later, they returned to Longview. Stu retired with 23 years of service after a fall on a ship injured his back. By 1966, Ruby was caring for seven children and working weekends at the Monticello Hotel when a customer asked her if she wanted a real job. That began a rewarding 20-year career at the telephone company. Ruby has been a longtime member of Longview Community Church.