Coulee Recollections

Ten Years Ago

Months of hard work and dedication from the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce culminated last Saturday when it kicked off its first “Balde” Eagle Festival. “I felt it went off well,” Chamber President Tim Alling said. “ I would have liked a few more people, but it was a decent crowd.

Students at Nespelem School saw and heard a demonstration by the Lake Roosevelt boys’ basketball team on how to succeed in varsity athletics and life.

Seven wrestlers went, and four returned with medals as the Lake Roosevelt Wrestling Team took sixth place at Mat Classic XIV at the Tacoma Dome this weekend.

Editorial Comic for the week - “I pledge allegiance to the budget of the United States of America and to the defense buildup for which it spends, one nation, under-funded, class-divisible, with security and tax cuts for the rich.” (Remember this was 10 years ago)

Every morning Mildred Venton starts her day with 20 sit-ups. That fact may not seem like much, except that Venton turns 100 years old on Friday.

Twenty Years Ago

The regional director of the National Marine Fisheries Service said salmon recovery efforts initiated by the Northwest Power Planning Council will accelerate a recovery plan for endangered Snake River sockeye by more than a year.

The Raider basketball team emerged victorious in a packed LRHS gym Thursday night as they defeated the Ephrata Tigers in a crucial game.

Tremendous economic opportunities are waiting to be tapped in the greater Grand Coulee Dam area. Working together, the people of the small towns and the Colville Tribes could prosper, attract business, provide jobs for younger generations and form a stable economic base for the community at large.

A ruling by the Caribou Trail League athletic directors last week, took away from Lake Roosevelt High School’s Lady Raider basketball team an astounding 48 to 37 win over top ranked Omak, charging the Raiders with a state rule violation. A video tape of an Omak/Tonasket game taken by a parent of one of the players was seen by four Raiders. That’s against Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association rules.

Thirty Years Ago

David Lyngholm has been named as chief of the Maintenance Division A Grand Coulee Dam.

In basketball action, the Lake Roosevelt girls are going into District tied at first 9-1 with Okanogan. The Lady Raiders finished the season with a win over Liberty Bell 59-32. Shawnee Haugen scored 15 with Heidi Roberts 14 and Marie Frost 13.

The “POPEYE” group entertained during halftime of the LRHS varsity basketball game last Friday. The group includes: Collette Helseth, Nancy Ballod, Billie Mattson, Shelly Stine, Kim Jurgensen, Cheri Cody, Gidget Young, Dawn Lippert, Meredith Presler, Shani Ayling, Kari Kuehne, Kim Benson, Krissie Depew, Amy Langley, Michelle Long, Carla Whitaker, Heidi Overman, Dawn Bjorkland, Heather Duke and Tiffany Grier.

Forty Years Ago

Congressman Tom Foley said the Bureau of Reclamation plans to call for bids on two major construction projects in North Central Washington in March and April. One will be the completion contract for the third powerhouse at Grand Coulee Dam. The other will be for building 35 miles of laterals and distribution pipeline for the Manson project.

Emil A. Gherke will celebrate his 88th birthday Feb. 27, with an open house at the Senior Citizens Center.

Kathleen Streble was the guest of honor at a surprise birthday luncheon at the Melody Grill last week. Those attending were Dixie Tillman, Jo Carey, Pat Munson, Lou Chamberlain, Ann Marie Tipton, Bonnie Stone, Jo Switzer, Irene Benton and Doris Finch.

Fifty Years Ago

Newly elected officers for the Sagebrush Gang 4-H Club are: Joyce Wisinger, president; Gwen Davis, secretary; Marilyn McCoy, historian; Sheila Campbell, reporter and Linda Wisinger, town-crier.

Mrs. Jess Casey and Mrs. Roy Kunz entertained with a bridal shower at the Jess Casey home at Nespelem Wednesday evening in honor of Sharon Aumick. The honored guest was a recipient of many lovely gifts.

Marilyn Brown’s twirlers will perform at the half time during the Hartline/Warden game Feb. 14.

Sixty Years Ago

Ray Caviness of Coulee Dam was listed as tenor singer with the Eastern Washington College choir which is appearing on a broadcast over station KHQ at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Among those from Electric City attending the ski tournament in Leavenworth were Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Bowers, Mr. and Mrs. Simon McSweeney and Mr. and Mrs. Dick Nicolle.

Jeanne Seaton was honored at a prenuptial shower at the home of Mrs. Edgar Allen on Feb. 3. Invited guests were Mrs. John Green, Minnie Gropp, Mrs. Al Gust, Mrs. Mike Bowers, Mrs. Robert Gross, Mrs. Dick Nicolle and Mrs. William Flowers.

Sixty Years Ago

A birthday party in honor of Vesta Peone was held at the Peone home in Electric City.

The Service Club of Grand Coulee High School received five new members which included June Copple, Ruth Ingalls, Joyce Flowers, Roy Bernd and Madge Bates.