Coulee Recollections

Ten Years Ago

Grand Coulee Dam will soon display a large symbol intended to show the Bureau of Reclamation’s support of patriotism.

A sea of red, white and blue could dominate the Grand Coulee Dam area this summer if American flags are put on utility poles throughout the area as planned.

Several area farmers attended an open house at the Center School last night and voiced their concerns about the proposed transmission line between Spokane and Grand Coulee.

Six Lake Roosevelt High School students participated in the 6th annual Eastern Washington University Honor Music Festival in Cheney January 18-20. Select students from 44 Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana schools rehearsed for two days to perform a Grand Concert on Sunday the 20th.

Nine fourth grade students will participate in this year’s Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee. These students include JaNae Duryea, Heather Harrison, Peter Rise, Amber Toler, Ursula Circle, Tyler Reed, Shayla Reyes, Brea Desautel and Ronnie Cahoon.

Twenty Years Ago

The Grand Coulee Dam School Board is searching for a citizen to replace Karmen Blake, whose resignation as a director of the school district was accepted Monday. Blake resigned following his relocation to Warm Springs, OR.

Three outside experts will be on hand next Saturday at the third in a series of meetings in which local people are exploring possibilities for more cooperation between the four local towns.

Julie Ann Moser and Randall Swain Friedlander were united in marriage Dec. 28, at the Coulee Dam Community Church with Paster Dick Waterer officiating.

Thirty Years Ago

Under sponsorship of the Grand Coulee Dam Chamber of Commerce, the birthday of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt will be remembered here Jan. 30. Former Wenatchee World managing editor Hu Blonk will give the main address.

At its latest meeting, the Colorama Committee named Kary Byam chairman with the Colorama Rodeo under the direction of Lance Brewer. Brewer will be assisted by former Colorama Chairman Carl Russell.

The Raider boys’ basketball team lost to first-place leaders Tonasket 80-48. On Tuesday they beat the Chelan Goats in a thrilling 58-57 score.

Forty Years Ago

Snow sliding from the face of Grand Coulee Dam Tuesday morning partially covered several Bureau sedans and smashed through windows of the Grand Coulee Dam Operations Office filling the personnel and safety offices with tons of unwanted snow. None of the six persons occupying the offices were in the direct path of snow and there were no injuries.

Mr. and Mrs Cecil Thoren celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary Saturday afternoon at the Coulee Dam City Hall.

Fifty Years Ago

Marine Pvt. Dennis W. Wiese, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wiese of Grand Coulee, complete the four week, individual combat training course Dec. 29 with the second infantry training regiment at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Every new marine undergoes this combat training upon completion of recruit training.

Mrs. Carr of Electric City held a dinner party Thursday evening in honor of her daughter Ilana’s 13th birthday. The guests were Marilyn Jackson, Janelle Thurston, Jacky Carr, Ami Jo Weber and Patty DuCette.

Sixty Years Ago

The Pacific Bridge Company’s contract for quarrying and placing armor and riprap rock on the west riverbank below Grand Coulee Dam in the bank stabilization program has been extended to include 44,000 tons, announced Alvin F. Darland, supervising engineer of the Coulee Dam District.

Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Carden and daughter, Zanalee of Elmer City were dinner guests Wednesday evening at the W.H. Maurer home in Coulee Dam.

Serving aboard the destroyer USS Lyman K. Swenson in the Far East is Merlin D. Pendell, machinist’s mate, third class, in the Navy. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter B. Pendell of Grand Coulee.