Articles written by roger s. lucas
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The not-exactly official report
It’s on again! Here’s the good news: the Bureau of Reclamation plans on restarting its fire station project. The bad news is that no one has any confidence the bureau will ever finish the project. This project has had more sta... — Updated 3/17/2021
Mrs. Hollenback's peaches
You could call them the formidable four. There was my mom, Mrs. Hollenback (a widow), Mabel Brantner (local tavern owner’s wife), and the preacher’s wife, Mrs. Stott. They spent a lot of time together. They attended church tog... — Updated 3/10/2021
Joe, and those motorcycle days
Joe Emerson joined our class as a junior at Palouse High School. He became my closest friend and remained so for several years. His older brother had ties with a motorcycle group in Spokane and we soon followed him there. Our... — Updated 3/3/2021
Grades or duck hunting
I started college when I was 25, and already with a family. That required that I had to work a lot to pay my way, and of course the bills. While I had several jobs, carried a full course load, I found time for personal activity. I... — Updated 2/24/2021
The joy of a new baby
A few days ago, we had a new baby in the family. Actually, it was a great grandchild, the fourth for us. She joins Kaylee, Damon and Westlyn as great grand babies. I guess it is a sign of getting old. But what a joy to see them... — Updated 2/17/2021
Better be prepared
When you travel, expect the unexpected. Always have money on you for the country you are visiting. My first trip to Vietnam started out as an embarrassment, and nearly was a disaster. I forgot to exchange money before leaving Hong... — Updated 2/10/2021
Awestruck in a temple
Dropping in for a three-day trip to Siem Reap, and a visit to Angkor Wat, a temple complex nearby, was a change of plans, and a welcome one at that. Rediscovered by a French archeologist in the mid 1800s. Siem Reap was... — Updated 2/3/2021
Where the moose reside
I guess if I had to name my favorite vacation spot it would be Teton National Park. We first visited the park shortly after the park added thousands of acres that were gifted from the Rockefeller family. This added space was... — Updated 1/27/2021
I've never met a cow I liked!
To me, any cow, is one too many. My personal experience with cows goes back a number of years. Growing up, I lived on a farm, moving to town when I started school when 6. Oh, we had cows then, but my three older brothers and my sis... — Updated 1/13/2021
He is a simple complex friend
I first met Khien Theravit when our family sponsored him through the FIUTS program at the University of Washington. It became an exciting time as we met a lot of foreign students, mostly from Asia. Through the FIUTS (Foundation... — Updated 1/6/2021
A wedding based on what counts
No shopping for expensive wedding clothes here The cost of our marriage was $15. And that was for the license. No bridal gown, other gowns, tuxes, limos, flowers, receptions, wedding planners or a host of other folks with their... — Updated 12/23/2020
All with a little help
Ever think of the influence others have had in your life? When I went to college, I had no idea or hope that I would become a journalist. I took a college course in journalism, mainly so I could learn to write. Things went well,... — Updated 12/16/2020
Rock of ages, afar
Once upon a time there was this rock along the Snake River just out of Melba, Idaho. It was an Indian map rock where ancient natives had etched the route of the Snake River along with other helpful information. While a reporter... — Updated 12/9/2020
Can't shake that burning fire station subject
I just can’t shake it! I have a suggestion for Bureau officials concerning the stalled fire station. It would be incredible if someone from the Bureau would step up to the... — Updated 12/2/2020
On a clear day you can see Montana
Steptoe Butte lies 12 miles north of Colfax, the Whitman County seat. Its elevation is 3,612 feet, hovering over the Palouse wheat fields. It is said that on the horizon you can see the high mountains in Montana. For me, the view... — Updated 11/24/2020
An eye on Nespelem
Colleen Leskinen has had her eye on Nespelem for a very long time, essentially since her birth year, 67 years ago. Some people know her as the lady who runs the daycare, within the shadow of the town limits. Others know her as the... — Updated 11/18/2020
Are you tough enough?
This week I would like to recognize and honor service personnel, past and present. I came from a military family. My father was in the army in World War I. I still have his papers from when he was called up, and his discharge. My... — Updated 11/10/2020
Roadhouses and other small venues
The first time I saw Glenn Yarbrough was at a small roadhouse on the eastern edge of Seattle, just off I-90. It was the first time I saw him on one of his farewell tours. I had seen a small ad in the Times and took a chance that I... — Updated 11/4/2020
Count the sani-cans to know
If you really want to know when the Bureau of Reclamation fire station will be completed, keep track of the sani-cans outside. Star reporter Jacob Wagner gave a good rundown of the history of the project in the newspaper a couple o... — Updated 10/28/2020
Working with heroes in fire camp
A few years ago my wife and I worked two fire seasons for OK Cascade, a firm that under contract provided food, shower and laundry services during major wildfires. The firm then was owned by John and JoAnn Keener, both now... — Updated 9/16/2020
Apples don't fall far from trees
Sometimes it is strange the things that draw you back to your childhood. While driving the other day, I looked down at my left hand that was grasping the steering wheel. My hand looked exactly like my father’s. I often think of m... — Updated 9/9/2020
Acts of bravery all around
When we think of bravery, we have a tendency to think big. Actually, acts of bravery are all around us, some more apparent than others. While in Vietnam a number of years ago I met a medical doctor who was captured by the Viet... — Updated 9/2/2020
Standing at the foot of history
Sometimes you discover history after it is past. I have visited a lot of cemeteries and memorials, but probably the most moving is the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. I’ve been there twice, the second time after I had learned t... — Updated 8/26/2020
A great friend while traveling!
The English language is the best friend while traveling in most countries. In all my travels in Asia, the one most constant thing was that English was spoken and understood in every country. Part of the reason was the influence of... — Updated 8/19/2020
So you hate to move!
I once moved twice on the same day. We have moved 14 times, but only once in the past 56 years. Our first move was to Palouse from southern Idaho. We were so recently married that it only took a couple of boxes, and those fit... — Updated 8/12/2020
