Coulee Recollections

Ten Years Ago

A cancer cure is on the mind of an Electric City woman as she prepares for an Alaska marathon during a time when the sun only sets for an hour or two. It’s a cause Freda Junvik been pursuing since the death of her Aunt Bonnie four and an half years ago to cancer.

Local residents who subscribe to vib.tv’s television services might be surprised on Saturday when they flip to channel one and see the Colorama Parade live. The parade broadcast is part of an effort by the by the Ephrata based video internet broadcasting corporation to re-launch their service into the area, said Field Operations Manager Keith Lenssen.

A Grand Coulee Dam area man does not mind the long hours coaching competitive rifle-shooting for youths, but he would like to do so closely to home. “I would like to see them put four walls and a roof at the useless skating ring at North Dam Park,” Randy Gumm said.

Twenty Years Ago

The 36th annual Colorama Festival and Rodeo opens this Thursday evening with four days of fun activities in store for area residents. The Colorama Rodeo Queen is Brooke Wisinger.

The Grand Coulee City Council’s debating the fairness of a policy that water customers be required to pay for relocating their own water lines if the city moves its main line servicing their property.

Erika Parker and Jason T. Horn have announced their engagement and forthcoming marriage. The bride-elect is the daughter of Rick Parker and Jenny Mattson, both of Electric City. Horn is the son of Pete and Eva Horn of Ephrata. They have planned a June 12 wedding at the Coulee Dam Community Church.

Thirty Years Ago

Fran Hove, daughter of Ed and Martha Stefanick of Coulee Dam, has been named the Outstanding Graduate Senior Woman at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Hove is majoring in secondary education with a minor in journalism.

Darla Rae Pryor of Coulee Dam has been named to Golden Key, the campus service organization at Cottey College, Nevada, Mo.

The third grade students at Wright Elementary School have finally made it with their bread tabs collection. The tabs now equal one million with the final tab placed in the huge glass case.

Forty Years Ago

Roscoe Granger was the guest of honor at a party honoring his birthday last Wednesday at the home of Jack and Dolores Hilson in Electric City. The party was attended by many of Granger’s associates and friends.

Dry Falls, Lenice and Numally Lakes averaged 1.5 fish per person from 12-19 inches in length on the opening fishing weekend.

Robert Drake, son of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Drake of Coulee Dam and Lance Brewer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Brewer of Elmer City have been elected to represent Lake Roosevelt High School at Evergreen Boys’ State this summer.

Fifty Years Ago

Gordon Lee Skaar, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Skaar of Grand Coulee, has sent word recently that he has been accepted by the Navy to attend the Naval Enlisted Scientific Education Program in Bainbridge.

Keith Redthunder was chosen by the American Legion as Nespelem’s delegate to Boy’s State. Darlene Moses, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Moses was chosen as delegate to Girl’s State.

Sixty Years Ago

Chapter 38 of the Disabled American Veterans held a social meeting Thursday night at the Eagles Hall in Grand Coulee.

Grand Coulee School District lost two hard working members of its board of directors when Dave Rawe and Walter Thurston handed in their resignations at a recent meeting. Appointed to replace them were Cecil Trefry and Eril Wert.

The fire barn on Division Street in north Grand Coulee and several other buildings were destroyed by fire about 1:15 a.m. Saturday. Rawe and Rauch’s Hardware was endangered but was saved by the work of the firemen.

A magnificent bust of Franklin Delano Roosevelt designed by the sculptor Fredrick Littman of Portland was placed on a specially credited pedestal in a reflecting pool on the right abutment of Grand Coulee Dam last Thursday. This dramatic event was unannounced.

Mary Darland, Coulee Dam High School senior won the coveted position of valedictorian of the 1953 graduating class with a grade point average of 3.95. Donna Marie Smith is the salutatorian with a grade point average of 3.89.