Coulee Recollections

Ten Years Ago

For the Chistopherson family, the fighting in Iraq hits close to home. On Oct. 30th much of the Washington Army National Guard mobilized including Capt. Chris Christopherson of the National Guards 81st Armor Brigade. The tour of duty will separate him from his wife and family until sometime next year. 

The Lake Roosevelt Football team continued to beat the odds last Friday when they defeated the favored Tonasket Tigers 13-0 setting up a showdown with Okanogan for the championship of CTL. Steve Breeze and JD Strocsher stood out on defense with 26 tackles between them, 4 for losses and 5 sacks. Breeze and Spus Wilder provided the touchdowns for the Raiders.

Twenty Years Ago

  Local gangs reach new level said Tribal Officer Chris Evans. On a scale of one to ten he said “ we are at a two” “ We have graffiti and we are getting new people in the area daily. Those coming in say the area is ripe for gangs. A small number of kids are involved with gang activity but the other kids still outnumber the bad. If we recognize the problem now we can try to correct it.

Empire Bus Lines announced that they will no longer be providing  bus service in the area. A lack of usage was noted as the reason why.

Thirty Years Ago

 Grand Coulee had it’s own “Old Faithful” last Wednesday when a contractor hit a large water main uphill from Safeway. It created a fifty foot geyser of water spilling thousands and thousands of gallons before the city crew got if shut down. 

Navy Gunner’s Mate Gary D. Haven, son of Edward and Caroline Haven of Coulee Dam, is a crew member aboard the battleship USS New Jersey. The New Jersey is 887 feet long and carries a crew of 1552.

Mike Snyder shot a five point white tail buck on the last day of hunting season near the Swan Butte area. The big buck dressed out at over 180 pounds. This is his first ever white tail.

Ridge Riders recently announced the royalty for the Junior Rodeo. Queen will be Jodi Rosenberg and Princess is Debbie Stephens.  

Forty Years Ago  

Elmer City was awarded a large grant for their sewer system project. $150,359 was recently accepted from Federal and State coffers.

Nursery School teacher Jane Rice recently explained to kids the importance of sharing and getting along with others at the Electric City Administration building. Current students are : Jamie Kircher, Tammara Johnson, Tanya Shear, Angela Davidson, Gene Palanuk and Kerece Mills.

Wayne Monteith and Rev. David Paine were the two top winners in the Humorous Speech Contest held at the Early Bird Toastmasters Dinner last week. Mr. Monteith spoke on “ Goose Honking “ and Rev. Paine’s topic was “ I Kicked The Habit”

Local 4-H winners were announced this week from the Okanogan County Annual 4-H Achievement Program. The winners were, Achievement: Belinda Morger (Electric City) and Shelly Scallan (Coulee Dam). Leadership: Carla Scallan. Agriculture: Lynette Fossum (Elmer City). Horse: Renee Olbricht (Elmer City) and Gina Scallan( Coulee Dam). Veterinary Science: Alan Doughty(Grand Coulee). Sheep: Samara Morger ( Elmer City). Horse Judging: Laurel Green ( Elmer City). 

Fifty Years Ago

  The Grand Coulee Dam, upon completion of the third power house, will once again become the world’s largest producer of hydro-electric power. The new powerhouse is almost twice as big as the other two powerhouses and will bring the total generating power to five and a half million kilowatts.

The Maytag Shop in Grand Coulee is offering a special deal this week. You will get free a $65 dollar Electric Train Set free with the purchase of a Admiral Console TV, any refrigerator or any freezer. 

Sixty Years Ago

The Lions Club entertained a distinguished speaker at their Monday night meeting. He was Colonel A.D. Ficken of the far east department of University of Washington, who is lecturing on the community forum program. Col. Ficken spoke on “The Communist Movement in the Far East”.

Northwest Greyhound, out of the Grand Coulee Office, announced today that a round trip ticket to New York is now $92.10, Spokane is $5.25 and Los Angeles is $46.50.

Playing this week at the Coulee Dam Theater is “Stalag 17” starring William Holden, Don Taylor and Otto Preminger. The Roosevelt Theater has “Arrowhead” with Charlton Heston, Katy Jurado and Jack Palance.