Coulee Recollections

Ten Years Ago

Many Grand Coulee Dam area kids spent spring vacation trying to learn how to swing golf clubs bigger than they are. The kids were swinging clubs last week as part of the second annual Banks Lake Youth Clinic at the Banks Lake Golf and Country Club.

The opportunity to learn the rodeo sport of “breakaway roping” drew a small group of interested participants to the Ridge Riders Rodeo Grounds last week. Jennifer Casey, a traveling roping instructor, taught 22-23 students in three sessions April 1-3.

Middle school student Wade Roberts brought home third place honors from the 2002 Washington State Geography Bee in Tacoma last Friday.

The Lake Roosevelt boys’ golf team came back from Spring Break and immediately continued their winning ways with victories over two Caribou Trail League schools.

Anglers who plan on fishing this year in Lake Roosevelt may have to back up their boat trailers a ways at the boat launches, but the lake should remain accessible all spring. Lake Roosevelt’s elevation should eventually bottom out at 1,246 feet above sea level on May 1, said Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area Facilities Manager Ray Dashiell. As of Monday, the lake was at 1,263 feet.

Twenty Years Ago

Park plans have been drawn that would ease crowding for one of Grand Coulee Dam area’s favorite summer sports. The community should now speak on whether the park is needed and how it would be built. The park is planned for the North Dam Park area.

Contestants for Young Woman of the Year included Jessica Hall, Amy Hart, Candace Kaupie and Beth Warn.

It was a two-tissue moment for 13 year old Melanie Avey when she prevailed through grueling competition to emerge as the state champion speller. Her effort has earned her a long desired trip to Washington D.C. and a chance to compete in the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee.

The Coulee Dam swimming pool may not open this year. If it doesn’t, statistics show it likely will never open again.

The start of a forest insect and disease management project may temporarily close Hunters campground and boat launch on Lake Roosevelt.

Thirty Years Ago

The Grand Coulee Dam Airport main hanger was vandalized and burglarized early Tuesday morning. Taken was a small outboard motor and a .22 rifle.

Students of the month selected for March at the GCD Junior High included Janet Hauser, Jason Jones, Denise Fitzgerald, Barry Gilman, Stacy Scrimpt and Rusty Bowman.

The Raider track team started its season with records being set by Joanne Etheridge in the discus (122’) and javelin (130’) and Shawnee Haugen in the 100 meter dash.

A big turnout was out at the annual cleanup of the rodeo grounds. Over 12 families helped rake, burn and clean calf pens.

Forty Years Ago

Schools in the GCD District are out for spring vacation April 7.

Lisa Boag celebrated her sixth birthday on March 23 with four of her classmates. They were Jack Heathman, Becky Suckow, Lori Ogle and Jackie Walesby.

An open house was held Sat. March 25 in honor of the 40th wedding anniversary for Mr. and Mrs. Everet Accord at the Senior Citizens Hall.

Fifty Years Ago

Names of 967 Washington State University undergraduate students on last semester’s honor roll were announced and included: Lonny Carlson Jr., Franklin Flowers and Ray A. Rice.

Mrs. Jim Pryor was honored with a pink and blue shower at her home last Monday. Those attending were Hilma Pryor, Mae Samsel, Cindy Best, Mae Benbow, Mrs. Earl Johnson, Mellie Brace, Maxine Warner, Kathy Cumbok, Jean Lindhag, Kate Slater, Lillian Best, Pearl Will and Mabel Auby.

The little two-headed calf at the Hayden Mckee ranch in the Delrio area died after living for 10 days.

Pat and Rex Allen of the Rex area arrived home from Central Washington College at Ellensburg for a vacation during the quarter break.

The annual junior/senior play will be presented March 23 in the Grand Coulee High School gym under the direction of Richard Behrens.

Sixty Years Ago

A landmark at Coulee Dam will soon be entirely gone with the razing of the old general store building.

Attending the “Petite Promenade” put on by Voiture 90; 450 et 8 at Wenatchee Saturday were W. Crawford, William T. Walters, Fred Warren, Charles Binger, Vern Canterbury and Clarence Rose.

Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Koontz of Elmer City entertained a group of friends Saturday at a pinochle party. Those attending were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Small of Coulee Dam, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Russell of Koontzville and Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Hanna of Elmer City.

Boyd Hanna, Republican committeeman from Elmer City and Mrs. Simon McSweeney, Democratic committeewoman from Electric City will speak at the League of Woman Voters annual meeting March 25.

The Eagles and Moose Lodges of Grand Coulee sponsored jointly Miss Sandra Haggard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Haggard of Electric City as princess from Grand Coulee for the Columbia Basin Water Festival.