Sarah Nigbor

Ellsworth, and Pierce County as a whole, lost a legend this week. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone in our area who didn’t know Jack Hines.

I never dealt with Jack in the insurance or auction business, though I had family members who did. I got to know him a bit when I was named the editor of the Pierce County Herald in 2015. One of my co-workers introduced him to me as “Mr. Ellsworth.” She was right. The name was quite fitting.

Jack would pop into the Herald office on Chestnut Street frequently with story ideas and a book of raffle tickets for whatever organization he was selling them for at the moment. I often wondered how he found so many hours in the day to do everything. He seemed to be everywhere.

When I joined the Pierce County Journal staff in April 2021, my boss John told me how Jack, Jeff and Joanie Hines had been huge supporters of the paper since it expanded to include all of Pierce County in 2020. They often carried subscription cards with them to hand out. Jack came into the office with story ideas or just to chat. He charmingly talked John into buying calendars or raffle tickets, all for a good cause (which he was glad to do). Their family supported the paper with advertising and made sure we knew how much they appreciated having a local paper again. It meant a lot as the paper grew. 

One thing I admired about Jack was his willingness to give his time and energy to any cause placed in his path. As you can read in his obituary or John’s story on the front page, Jack was involved in multiple community organizations. He wasn’t just a member; he pounded the pavement drumming up money, support, time, whatever was needed. No one could say no to Jack; he made you feel good about supporting the community.

Jack was a fixture at the Pierce County Fair, especially the youth livestock auction in which he put his auctioneer skills to good use. Friday night at the fair won’t be the same without him. His voice echoed through the valley as the announcer of the annual El Paso Days Grand Parade or throughout downtown Ellsworth during the Ellsworth Fire Department Parade. These are just a few of my memories that Jack is a part of. When he wasn’t at the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce annual dinner this year for the dessert auction, it definitely wasn’t the same.

I think Jack has left us all with a valuable lesson: Support your community in any way you can. Run for a local office. Serve on a board or committee. Support your local school district and businesses. Take part in community events. Help your neighbors. Volunteer your time if you can. Love your town. Thanks for everything, Jack.