Coulee Recollections

Ten Years Ago

Two Coulee Dam residents have worked hard for the last nine years to convert what was the Ponderosa Motel into the technologically state-of-the art Columbia River Inn. Three weeks ago, Ron and Diane LeMay took a large technological leap forward with the installation of fiber optics in every room and even in the laundry room.

Last Saturday could mark the final time an annual children’s theater will come to the Grand Coulee Dam area. The cost of offering the Missoula Children’s Theater locally started at a manageable level. Co-coordinator Julie Rehn said. But each year it increases $100, leading to a $2,300 cost for this year’s run.

People in the Grand Coulee Dam area who are concerned about at-risk kids in the community now have a way to help. The Grand Coulee Dam Area Mentoring Program wants community leaders over the age of 25 to be mentors, Lesa Eiffert said at the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce meeting last Thursday.

After months of lessons, local sixth graders were allowed to demonstrate their math knowledge against their peers last Friday with impressive results. The sixth grade students from the Grand Coulee Dam Middle School placed third in a “Math is Cool” competition with 20 other students, said teacher’s aid Janice Archer, who coaches the team.

Twenty Years Ago

Remodeling a garage or building a new home could be more complicated because of laws now being passed by counties, cities and towns in the GCD area. Local governments are grudgingly following the mandates of the state legislature, which passed the growth management act in 1980.

The Raider basketball team picked up the district tournament first place trophy with a 78-75 victory over Ephrata. Now the Raiders are at their fourth straight state tournament.

LRHS seniors Amy Alling, James Barry and Shannen Nason were named as scholarship winners by the Elks Lodge of Ephrata.

The Promoters of Wildlife and Environmental Resources (POWER) had their first public meeting Feb. 24 at the Ridge Riders Hall in Delano. Reg Morgan was named president of the non-profit organization. Bill Brashears was named treasurer. Twenty prospective members heard past accomplishments and goals for the future.

Thirty Years Ago

Valerie Morgan, daughter of Reg and Linda Morgan of Coulee Dam, has qualified to be a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship competition.

Dale Carriere gave an interesting presentation to Mrs. Anderson’s, Mrs. Wright’s and Mrs. Behren’s fourth grade classes on fire safety.

Several GCD Junior High students will travel to the State Future Problem Solving Bowl. They include Charlene Boucher, Jan Vordahl, Lorene Sanford and Tamara Depew.

Outstanding students for the month of February from GCD Junior High School included Patty Michaud, Benjie Antonio, Charlene Boucher, Scott Bailey, Kris Graybill and Gary Rice.

Forty Years Ago

The Federal Women’s Club will meet March 2 at Smitty’s Pancake House in Grand Coulee at 1 p.m. Mrs. Anne Vehrs will be in charge of the program. Hostesses are Sue Olsen, Betty Akers and Marie Newkirk.

L.F. Carlson, owner of Carlson Motors, has been recognized for his commitment to “excellence in customer satisfaction” in a personal letter from Henry Ford II, chairman of the board of the Ford Motor Company.

Rhonda Magee, daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Dale Magee of Coulee Grande, has been named Lake Roosevelt High School’s Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow.

Fifty Years Ago

The Order of Eastern Star social club will meet at the home of Dessie Koontz today at 1 p.m. There will be a dessert luncheon. Co-hostesses will be Mrs. Roscoe Gray and Mrs. John MacLeon.

Mrs. Claribel Gander was hostess for the Do Little Club of Coulee City on Thursday.

Sixty Years Ago

In a matter of day,s the old store building that for 15 years housed all the stores of Coulee Dam will be no more. The dismantling of the building and removing old debris from the site is in the hands of Wayne Coppess of Mansfield.

Ten Years Ago

Two Coulee Dam residents have worked hard for the last nine years to convert what was the Ponderosa Motel into the technologically state-of-the art Columbia River Inn. Three weeks ago, Ron and Diane LeMay took a large technological leap forward with the installation of fiber optics in every room and even in the laundry room.

Last Saturday could mark the final time an annual children’s theater will come to the Grand Coulee Dam area. The cost of offering the Missoula Children’s Theater locally started at a manageable level. Co-coordinator Julie Rehn said. But each year it increases $100, leading to a $2,300 cost for this year’s run.

People in the Grand Coulee Dam area who are concerned about at-risk kids in the community now have a way to help. The Grand Coulee Dam Area Mentoring Program wants community leaders over the age of 25 to be mentors, Lesa Eiffert said at the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce meeting last Thursday.

After months of lessons, local sixth graders were allowed to demonstrate their math knowledge against their peers last Friday with impressive results. The sixth grade students from the Grand Coulee Dam Middle School placed third in a “Math is Cool” competition with 20 other students, said teacher’s aid Janice Archer, who coaches the team.

Twenty Years Ago

Remodeling a garage or building a new home could be more complicated because of laws now being passed by counties, cities and towns in the GCD area. Local governments are grudgingly following the mandates of the state legislature, which passed the growth management act in 1980.

The Raider basketball team picked up the district tournament first place trophy with a 78-75 victory over Ephrata. Now the Raiders are at their fourth straight state tournament.

LRHS seniors Amy Alling, James Barry and Shannen Nason were named as scholarship winners by the Elks Lodge of Ephrata.

The Promoters of Wildlife and Environmental Resources (POWER) had their first public meeting Feb. 24 at the Ridge Riders Hall in Delano. Reg Morgan was named president of the non-profit organization. Bill Brashears was named treasurer. Twenty prospective members heard past accomplishments and goals for the future.

Thirty Years Ago

Valerie Morgan, daughter of Reg and Linda Morgan of Coulee Dam, has qualified to be a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship competition.

Dale Carriere gave an interesting presentation to Mrs. Anderson’s, Mrs. Wright’s and Mrs. Behren’s fourth grade classes on fire safety.

Several GCD Junior High students will travel to the State Future Problem Solving Bowl. They include Charlene Boucher, Jan Vordahl, Lorene Sanford and Tamara Depew.

Outstanding students for the month of February from GCD Junior High School included Patty Michaud, Benjie Antonio, Charlene Boucher, Scott Bailey, Kris Graybill and Gary Rice.

Forty Years Ago

The Federal Women’s Club will meet March 2 at Smitty’s Pancake House in Grand Coulee at 1 p.m. Mrs. Anne Vehrs will be in charge of the program. Hostesses are Sue Olsen, Betty Akers and Marie Newkirk.

L.F. Carlson, owner of Carlson Motors, has been recognized for his commitment to “excellence in customer satisfaction” in a personal letter from Henry Ford II, chairman of the board of the Ford Motor Company.

Rhonda Magee, daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Dale Magee of Coulee Grande, has been named Lake Roosevelt High School’s Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow.

Fifty Years Ago

The Order of Eastern Star social club will meet at the home of Dessie Koontz today at 1 p.m. There will be a dessert luncheon. Co-hostesses will be Mrs. Roscoe Gray and Mrs. John MacLeon.

Mrs. Claribel Gander was hostess for the Do Little Club of Coulee City on Thursday.

Sixty Years Ago

In a matter of day,s the old store building that for 15 years housed all the stores of Coulee Dam will be no more. The dismantling of the building and removing old debris from the site is in the hands of Wayne Coppess of Mansfield.