Coulee Recollections

Ten Years Ago

The Grand Columbian Triathlon is being organized by Jonathan Hopkins. He recently met with the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce to go over the event details and description. Organizers foresee over 500 athletes participating.

Lake Roosevelt Boys’ Basketball began Caribou League play last week with a 62-32 win at Tonasket and a 52-41 home loss to state-ranked Brewster. Coach Brad Wilson said the player of the game for Tonasket was Nick Barnaby who only turned the ball over one time, very impressive for a point guard at this level. Omar Fercha was the leading Raider against Brewster with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocked shots.

Twenty Years Ago

  David Schmidt, President of the Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union and Grand Coulee Chamber of Commerce President sat down in an interview this week with the Star. “The number one thing that the chamber needs to step up to the plate to do is to support the Cresent Bay area project.” The National Park Service has been searching for a private developer to build a marina and resort in Cresent Bay since the early 80s.

Planet Earth Players(PEP) are off to see the wizard. Joan Parker will direct “The Wizard of Oz” this spring. Dorothy will be played by Emily King, Dave Van Der Does-Scarecrow, Frank Ayers-Tin Man, Jan Bacon-Cowardly Lion and Maryann Winn as the Wicked Witch of the West. Also starring: Laura Day, Jeremy Hanson, Kelly Nelson, Dave Touchette, Marc Barry, Dena Avey, Erica Isom, Val Breeze, Dave Stiegelmeyer, Jesse Utz, Derek Peterson, Barbara Lowery, Rhonda Erickson, Heather Stiegelmeyer, Justin Miller, Beth Payne, Charles Fish, Julie Wilson, Elizabeth Avey, Charity and Kerry Scott, Dusty and Autumn Rose, Autumn Star Bacon, Robin,Cory and Steve Breeze, Tina Rinker, Reg Morgan and Jason Olsen.

Thirty Years Ago A new state law recently passed that will have an effect on all children under 5 years of age and their parents. The new law stats that all riders in a motor vehicle under the age of 5 must be restrained in an approved Washington State Department of Transportation vehicle restraint. (approved car seat).

Elmer City Fire Department installed new officers last week. The new slate of officers is as follows: Chief - Rudy Hachtel, Assistant Chief - Steve Hood, Chairman - Bus Miley, Captains - Dave Bennett and Bob Poch, Secretary - Glen Anderson, and Treasurer - Mike McKay.

The Colville Business Council, in special session, took an unprecedented action by passing a resolution which initiates a process that may allow tribal membership to petition for amendments to the Tribal Constitution. 

Forty Years Ago  

  Dale Ware,15, of Elmer City was shot through the abdomen with a .357 Magnum last Friday. He and a 14-year -old friend were playing with the firearm at home when it went off. Dale is the son of Mrs. Donna Benton and Farrell Ware of Elmer City. At last report he was in stable condition at St. Luke’s Hospital in Spokane. 

Following a recent appearance in the Grand Coulee Dam Area, a well known entertainer Kreskin expressed interest in a tour of the power facilities at Grand Coulee Dam. During the tour, escorted by Mrs. Pauline Bryant, Kreskin surprised Power Plant Operator, Jim Rice of Elmer City with questions about power distribution and all the controls at his station.

Lake Roosevelt Raiders Boys’ Basketball won in double overtime Saturday night against Tonasket 61-59. The 18-foot buzzer beating shot to win the game came from Norris Palmateer who finished the night with 22 points.