Coulee Recollections

Ten Years Ago

Money flowed into Coulee Community Hospital at an all-time high in March as the hospital treated more patients than anticipated. “It indicates that the community shows confidence in us,” said CCH Administrator Mike Wiltermood.

Next month, a lone blue graduation gown will stand out from the rows of crimson and gold at the Lake Roosevelt High School graduation. On Saturday, June 7, Raymond Wans, 79, of Everett, Wash., will receive his high school diploma almost 64 years after leaving Grand Coulee High School.

The Town of Electric City is hosting a retirement party for Ferd Syphers on May 30, at City Hall from 1-4 p.m.

Four teachers to retire at end of school year. Coulee Dam Middle School teachers Nita Haag and Nancy Carlson both submitted letters of retirement recently and their letters were submitted to the Board. A.E. Wright Elementary School teachers Wanda Ristrom and Elizabeth Bock, also announced their retirement and submitted letters to the Board.

Twenty Years Ago

Bureau of Reclamation officials sent out over 80 notices Monday to employees who will either find their jobs affected or themselves out of work on Oct. 2, as a result of a 10 percent reduction in force at Grand Coulee Dam.

D’Ann Farmer and Jane Higgens took a pretty major step May 3, when they opened Stylin’, a new hair styling shop on Main Street in Grand Coulee.

Melanie Avey, two-time regional spelling bee champ will fly to Washington, D.C. this weekend in preparation for next week’s Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee.

Thirty Years Ago

Brenda Feeley of Electric City recently was a big winner in Safeway’s Double Cash Bingo. She received a check for $1,000.

The Banks Lake Spiney Ray Kid’s Fishing Derby will be held June 4, at Coulee Playland.

The GCD Area Chamber of Commerce devoted its regular Thursday meeting to an appreciation of Mrs. Ida Bartels and her contributions to the growth and welfare of the city of Gand Coulee.

Navy Seaman Apprentice William A. Canady, son of Louise and Diane Canady of Grand Coulee and Navy Airman Recruit William C. Bulter, son of Dwayne and JoAnn Butler of Nespelem, have completed recruit training at the Naval Training Center in San Diego.

Winners in the Annual Keep Washington Green Forest and Range Fire Prevent Poster Contest included Mattie Bunnell and Stephanie Anderson.

Forty Years Ago

The Grand Coulee Chamber of Commerce has a new Commemorative Coin on sale this week. The chamber has been selling coins for some time and decided on updating the dollar-size piece. The new series denotes the Grand Coulee Dam and its impact on producing power under protective environmental methods.

Theodore James Goldsmith, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Goldsmith of Coulee Dam, has received an offer of appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY.

Lake Roosevelt High School graduated 98 seniors this past weekend.

Fay L. Eaton Jr., chief of the Civil Engineering Branch of the Grand Coulee Dam Operations Office, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, was presented an outstanding performance rating award.

Fifty Years Ago

Coulee Dam High School has selected Bonnie Stallman as valedictorian and John Daugherty as salutatorian. Stallman leads the class with a 3.91 and Daugherty 3.68.

Donna Mae Shaw, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos A. Shaw has been awarded the Lulu Holmes Scholarship given by Panhellenic at Washington State University. The award amounts to $250 and will be used during the 1963-64 school year.

One hundred and five contestants competed for about $4,000 purse money at the fifth annual Colorama Rodeo held at Grand Coulee this past week. At the Colorama parade, 70 units were featured with representation from nearly every surrounding community.

Sixty Years Ago

The Coulee Dam advisory council, at its meeting Monday evening, went over some of the letters in the file relative to the disposition of the town of Coulee Dam. Letters indicated that the government had decided to sell the town and outlined the plan of sale.

Richard A. Stiles, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.G. Stiles of Coulee Dam, will receive his MD degree from the medical school of Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill, on June 15. He will intern at the Swedish Hospital at Seattle.

Thirty-seven graduating seniors of Coulee Dam High School will receive their diplomas tonight (May 28). Mary Darland is valedictorian. Donna Marie Smith is salutatorian and Josie Gray is class speaker.

Sixteen seniors received diplomas at Grand Coulee High School.