Coulee Recollections

Ten Years Ago

The Laser Light Festival began to rise from the ashes Monday at Coulee Dam’s Town Hall with the naming of a festival chairman. The board of directors of the chamber of commerce had made this decision last month to suspend the festival for a year, an idea that met with opposition.

A committee recently decided the winner in the contest to name the flags that will drape the community in a show of patriotism this spring and summer. Grand Coulee resident Wiyaka Wagner’s suggestion, “Flags of Freedom” received the final go ahead from 14 members of the new Flags of Freedom committee.

Anglers who lost one of their favorite fishing areas near Grand Coulee Dam due to heightened security will soon have it back. An inspection committee told the Bureau of Reclamation’s Grand Coulee project Tuesday, March 5, that the North Marina Road can now open during the daytime, said Public Affairs Officer Craig Sprankle. The road should open in the middle of this week.

A representative for NASA, Marc Murbach, nephew of Jack Hilson, entertained middle school and elementary students with a tour of what NASA is all about. He demonstrated through the use of video and models several of the projects that NASA is involved in. He touched on many principles of science and gave an overview of the variety of job opportunities available through NASA.

Approximately an acre was burned yesterday near the golf course when high winds caused a controlled fire to get out of hand. Grand Coulee and Electric City volunteer fire departments were called and put the fire out.

Twenty Years Ago

An Olympic man who operates a helicopter ride business would like to set up shop in Grand Coulee but he is getting mixed signals from the community.

Coulee Dam residents may some day brew their morning coffee with water from Banks Lake.

Thirty Years Ago

Four seniors from Lake Roosevelt High School won awards from the Elks Leadership/Most Valuable Student Contest. They included Billie Snook, Christa Schultzes, Heidi Roberts and Valerie Morgan.

The Coulee Dam Business Association will open the Space Needle Tourist Information Booth this week.

Forty Years Ago

Three Bonneville Power Administration employees will be honored guests at a special retirement party to be held March 25. They include Frank Van Hemert, W.R. Hullet and Robert Brown.

Fifty Years Ago

New officers for the Wee Stitchers 4-H Club are Susan Roloff president, Sydney Fisher secretary, Christy Smith treasurer and Becky Barker reporter.

Martha Krebs of Nespelem has jouned the staff of the Top Knot Beauty Shop in Grand Coulee.