Coulee Recollections

Ten Years Ago

A New York City play will focus on a former Grand Coulee resident. “The Good Faith” written by New York City playwright Harold Dean James will follow the life of Richard Rawe former Grand Coulee native. Rawe is the son of the late Dave Rawe, and co-owner of Rawe and Rauch Hardware.

A rash of burglaries has hit the city of Grand Coulee. Sandwich Gardens, Siam Palace and Galaxy Pizza weren the latest victims. Police have interviewed owners, collected evidence, dusted for fingerprints and interviewed possible suspects. The case is still under investigation.

Awards were handed out this week for Raider Fall Sports. Varsity Football, first team all-CTL went to Lineman-JD Strocher, Running-back-Spus Wilder and Defensive Lineman - Steve Breeze. Volleyball awards went too : Natascha Cawston, Heidi Rise, Jinger Ehlers and Lauren Barnaby-Barry.  

Twenty Years Ago

Airman Chris Hofman, son of John and Judy Hofman of Electric City, has reported for duty in Ismir, Turkey. He is a 1991 graduate of LRHS. Also their son Sgt. John Hofman Jr. has reported for duty in Portugues Azore Islands. He is an 1985 graduate of Ritzville.

Rod and Sherri Boutain welcomed home their son Dalton Gerald. He was born Nov. 18 in Spokane.

Raider Basketball announced their varsity teams for girls and boys this week. The boys varsity consists of: Chuck Simpson, Marty Malone, Scott Zlateff, Eli Williams, Brent Jordan, Brian Nissen, Mike Vargas, Jeremiah Wipple, Steve Hansen, Josh Pearson, AJ Jordan and John Wilson. The girls are: Tauni Marchand, Rena Marconi, Charay McGuire, Conita Desautel, Rhonda Marchand, Karen Lyngholm, Shawnee Ayling, Melanie Bjorkland, Jessica Nelson and Sarah Lockenvitz. 

Thirty Years Ago

Raider wrestlers hosted the Tigers of Tonasket Friday. Raiders lost by a team score of 33 to 36. Lake Roosevelt received pins from wrestlers Jeff Konzal 122 lbs.; Ken Gonzales 129 lbs; Scott Foster 135 lbs; Mark Payne 141 lbs; Les Moses scored a victory 9-2 at 148 lbs. and Ty Tipps scored a forfeit victory at 115 lbs. Raiders are coached by Ralph Rise this year.

Winter arrived in the Dam area this week. Friday night an inch of snow fell followed by a icy frost. Then Sunday and Monday large amount of white stuff fell again closing the Coulee Dam hill for a few hours until crews could get it properly sanded. Many car accidents were reported but no serious injuries had occurred. 

The Christmas Boutique was a success this year, held in Coulee Dam City Hall. Karen Tiegs big seller was her homemade decorated bulletin boards. Jerry Rumburg displayed many of his pictures that he had taken over the years and even sold some for a profit. The Eastern Star raffled off an afghan blanket made by Fern Reilley, Linda Carlson and Carol Gale. But the highlight of the bazaar was the gingerbread houses made by Karen Ross all 20 of them sold.

Forty Years Ago  

Oscar Skarr, owner and operator of Skarr’s Variety in Grand Coulee, has sold his business after 21 years and is planning his retirement. The new owner of the store is Elmer Vordahl who plans on making no major changes.

Coulee Dam Council’s main topic of discussion at their last meeting was the future sale of the Community Center Building which they own. The council felt the building had served its purpose and getting new businesses into town to bring in tax dollars would be a better benefit. The building currently houses three businesses and the Coulee Dam Fire Station. 

Linda Darlene Sanford, 24, of Grand Coulee, was seriously injured in a headon collision near city limits last week. Sanford was rushed by Coulee Dam  ambulance to St. Luke’s Hospital in Spokane with a possible broken neck. The car she was driving failed to negotiate a turn and left the roadway and plunged into a ravine. The car was a total loss.

Fifty Years Ago

Pheasants exploded out of their carrying cages last week as part of Project Equalizing Reservoir. This has been an ongoing project to introduce more local birds in areas where their numbers have fallen to almost zero. Birds have been released in the Steamboat Rock area and on Banks Lake in various locations. More plants are scheduled in the area.

Coulee Dam Beavers announced their varsity squad this week for boys’ basketball. Jack Bailes, Keith Redthunder, John Rice, Bob Dunham, Tag Grier, Vern Hamilton, Rick Johnson, Benny Louge, Morris Socculo and Larry Klass make up the squad.

On Monday, the mothers of the senior Grand Coulee High football players will entertain the team with a banquet. Special guests included Rev. Carr and Mrs. Carr, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Rawe, all school staff and coaches. Mr. Rawe presented the senior boys with a gold football.

Sixty Years Ago

Despite intensive dragging of the reservoir near Steamboat Rock Park, the bodies of two lost hunters have not been found. The two Wenatchee residents, Hartzell Edwards and Fred Overly, drowned while duck hunting a week ago near Steamboat Rock.

The home and grocery store of Mel Taylor in Lone Pine was destroyed by fire Friday night. The fire was started in the store above the living quarters and the family only had time to remove some personal property before the fire had consumed everything else.