Coulee Recollections

10 years ago

Sylvan "Smitty" Smith, 91, on this coming May 27, started playing golf at age 50 and just got his first hole-in-one last week on the 11th hole on the Banks Lake Golf Course, which is 143 feet long, and one of four par-three holes on the course. He used a six iron. The ball hit on the front of the green and trickled in for his ace.

Sunday, May 8, 2005 marked the 60th anniversary of WWII's Victory in Europe Day (VE-Day) and Grand Coulee resident Dick Behrens shared this wartime experience:

Captured in Tunisia, Africa on Feb. 17, 1943, he became a German prisoner of war until he was released on April 24, 1945. He said, "We were in a three-day battle with 6,500 casualties and several hundred soldiers captured."

Behrens and his wife, Joyce, of Grand Coulee, both taught in the Grand Coulee Dam School District, retiring in 1970.

Colville tribal leaders have been in negotiations to buy the Resorts at Moses Pointe, a real estate development and golf course on the shores of Moses Lake. The property, reportedly has been for sale for more than two years at a price of $27.7 million. Situated on the west side of the lake, the property is close enough to Interstate 90 for drawing from 30,000 cars a day driving by.

20 years ago

In appreciation for their long support of Coulee Community Hospital, Elmer and Leona Rauch received a plaque from the Coulee Medical Foundation, presented by foundation President Lee Smick at a ceremony in the parking lot of the new nursing home.

Twenty-two smiling faces graced a full-page salute to Grand Coulee Dam area secretaries featuring: Trina Dice, GCD Chamber of Commerce; Sue Pryor, Jay Worden, DDS; Nancy Mitchell, Valinda Knighten, City of Grand Coulee; Karen Doolittle, Amy Tattersall, State Farm Insurance; Jean Kelly, Alana Sandoval, Farmers Insurance; Darlene Bott, Lake Roosevelt High School; Charlene Tracy, GCD Middle School; Janet Doughty, Wright Elementary; Peggy Reinbold, Barbara Mooney, Viv Peacock, Town of Coulee Dam; Carol Francis, Fuller's Auto Sales; Louan Wilson, Les Schwab; Sarah Knight, Jess Ford; Micki Kohout, D&L Bldg. Ctr.; Janet Sanchez, GC Physical Therapy; Brenda Freely, Palmberg Law Office; Kay Neal, The Star; Carol Downing, Town of Electric City; and Susan Crutcher, CTEC.

30 years ago

The Grand Coulee Dam Float made its debut at this year's Apple Blossom Festival held in Wenatchee, winning second place in its division. The float, titled "Festival of Lights" features two huge flowers, bumble bees, and a rainbow back stop for this year's Colorama Royalty: Queen Christy Pryor, Princesses Danette Brown and Denise Waterer.

The seventh annual Mini-Bloomsday Run was held at Wright Elementary School in Coulee Dam last week, with the goal of walking or running three laps around the school which totals one mile. Finishers received a popsicle, and a flyer about proper foot wear for racing in Bloomsday was sent home to the parents. Sandals, cowboy boots, or clogs were on the handout's do not wear for Bloomsday list. Mrs. Caroline NcNeil's room was pictured in The Star, lined up to race the course at Wright, including: Brian Walker, John Truiillo, Tony Smith, Jessica Sadzewicz, Angie Williams Alecia Niva, and Simon Moorby.

40 years ago

The Grand Coulee town council opened bids on the remodeling job for the city hall, with Good Construction Co. the low bidder at $3,892.14. Also bidding was A.J. Gerad Building Co. at $4,740.00, plus sales tax.

The Grand Coulee Dam Seniors, Inc. is holding a free dance this Saturday evening starting at 8:00 p.m. with live music by the Hill Billy Fiddlers of Wenatchee. The public is invited and asked to bring some goodies for a late supper. An early start Cowboy Breakfast, from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., is being sponsored by the Ridge Riders Club this Sunday at the new block Ridge Riders building in Delano. Eggs, bacon, hot cakes, coffee and hot chocolate will cost only $2.00 per person.