Coulee Recollections

Twenty Years Ago

Work has begun on the expansion of Banks Lake Golf and Country Club.

The Grand Coulee Dam is one of few dams which hasn’t been mentioned for removal, but according to economic consultant Bob Lonn, the disappearance of other dams in an effort to save fish populations will be damaging to the local economy.

The continued slow crumbling of the hillside below Coulee Community Hospital and parallel to Fortuyn Road has forced the hand of the Grand Coulee Council to declare a city emergency.

Going to state wrestling for the Raiders is Beau Brown and Shane Innes.

The Lady Raiders qualified for District by defeating Brewster 52 to 45.

Selected as chamber citizens of the month is Cody Leonard and Brita Montes. Alicia Carlson was named LRHS athlete of the week.

Thirty Years Ago

Grand Coulee City Council voted to accept two new members into its ranks last Wednesday. The newcomers fill the void created when two councilmen, John Streich and Ted Benton, resigned. Filling Streich’s seat at council is Keith Fish, and Connie Anthony takes Benton’s seat.

Even though the cold weather spell has ended, the effects of the lower-than-normal temperatures can be seen in the lower water level on Lake Roosevelt. Amid the eerie sounds of ice groaning at Crescent Bay, a houseboat found itself setting on what is turning into a rock beach since the level of Lake Roosevelt is dropping to meet the power demands of cold weather.

Pamela Gale Smith, co-pastor of the Coulee Dam Community Church, will be ordained into the Christian ministry on Feb. 19.

Selected as Raiders of the Week were Ken Hannahs, Shaw Logue and Richie Steffens, who represented LRHS at the regional wrestling tournament in Medical Lake.

Forty Years Ago

Bald Eagles in Washington received their first comprehensive census beginning January 13, the Washington Department of Game announced. Locally the birds, which number about eight, have made a flyway between their perch in the trees along the Columbia River and the powerhouse at Grand Coulee Dam.

The high sport of Spirit Week at Lake Roosevelt High School was the “Kiss the Pig Contest.” Winners in the contest were Donna Maiers, Janna Baxter, Leann Reeves, Secretary Darlene Bott and Principal Wallace Loe.

Winners at the annual pinewood derby this year were Troy Reit, Kip Baum and Danny Stine.

A darling baby girl weighing 8 lbs., 8 oz. and measuring 19-1/2 inches long was born Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Deaconess Hospital in Spokane. She has been named Lynette Marie and is the second child of Mr. and Mrs. David Portch of the Grand Coulee area. She joins a brother, Kevin, nearly 3 at home.

Fifty Years Ago

A call for bids on the third powerhouse at Grand Coulee Dam will be issued in October by the Bureau of Reclamation.

The new Safeway building in Grand Coulee is starting to take shape this week as workmen are setting concrete block walls.

A.J. Gerard’s crew begins work on a new 6-unit apartment house that overlooks Banks Lake in Electric City.

Ed Cheshier of Grand Coulee recently caught a 7 lb., 24 inch rainbow trout while fishing through the ice in Banks Lake.