News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Articles written by Birdie Hensley


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  • Four towns and/or cities, but the largest community in the area needs some help!

    Birdie Hensley|Aug 23, 2023

    The Community of Spring Canyon Cemetery was dedicated on March 30 ,1959, has 2,200-plus residents, 4.5 acres of grass, a park manager, council. The cemetery is privately owned by the Grand Coulee Dam Area Lions, but gets no state of federal money to operate. Like many other communities, Spring Canyon Cemetery board members are few and are aging and unable to do several of the tasks that are needed to keep up the cemetery in tip top shape. Yes, we have a grounds keeper like the other cities in the area, but the residents need help keeping their...

  • Four towns and/or cities, but the largest community in the area needs some help!

    Birdie Hensley|Aug 16, 2023

    Four towns and/or cities, but the largest community in the area needs some help! The Community of Spring Canyon Cemetery was dedicated on March 30 ,1959, has 2,200-plus residents, 4.5 acres of grass, a park manager, council. The cemetery is privately owned by the Grand Coulee Dam Area Lions, but gets no state of federal money to operate. Like many other communities, Spring Canyon Cemetery board members are few and are aging and unable to do several of the tasks that are needed to keep up the cemetery in tip top shape. Yes, we have a grounds... Full story

  • Local history opinion piece

    Birdie Hensley|Sep 9, 2020

    “Standing at the foot of History” were the titles of Roger Lucas Reporter’s Notebook in the Star. This is really true in the Grand Coulee Dam Area. We live under the shadow of one of the Greatest Project ever built, Grand Coulee Dam. But there is some much more history in the Grand Coulee Dam Area than Grand Coulee Dam which visitors from all over the world flock to this area to see. I am glad that Roger and his family have had to the opportunity to visit so maybe places of history around these United States. I was born in Seattle and because a...

  • Thanks for support, and continue it for new leaders

    Birdie Hensley|Nov 13, 2019

    First of all, thanks to everyone who has supported me the past years as Electric City Council member. Congratulations to the Electric City Council and mayor elect. I wish them the best in their journey the next few years. I only hope that the community will support them in this journey at public meetings and at monthly council meetings. Birdie Hensley...

  • Interest is good

    Birdie Hensley|Sep 18, 2019

    It is great to see people interested in city government and who want to run for a city position. In too many elections in the past, it has been a one-candidate selection. But remember, change is not always the solution to a problem. Electric City citizens voted blindly five years ago for change, and now it was causing lots of tension within the town. There are a couple of “meet and greet” days scheduled in October; go and listen and hear what changes are coming in the future. City government and state government and national government hav...

  • Need help putting together history of local festivals

    Birdie Hensley|Apr 3, 2019

    I am putting together the history of the Colorama/Western Festival/Festival of Lights since the beginning. I have a rodeo picture as far back as 1952. The rodeo had been held in Pleasant Valley, down by the now-Credit Union, and maybe a couple other places before moving to the present location in Delano. During the Western Festival, most of the events were held in the Coulee Dam area, and in later years expanded to Grand Coulee. I need any history you might have in your garage or closet, etc. I would most like pictures of the early queens,...

  • Now is the time to make a difference in the community

    Birdie Hensley|Mar 13, 2019

    Term limits, change, whatever you want! Now is the time. Every day, I hear people want term limits. If you read last week’s Star, you see many, many open volunteer vacancies in local organizations, cities, boards, etc. Now is the time for you, or your friends, or your family to step up and volunteer for one of these positions; now is the time to help enforce time limits by voting. Only you can make a change. If no one is willing to step into one of these volunteer roles, then please don’t ask for something you are not willing to help with. It...

  • Local Lions active in community

    Birdie Hensley|Jun 20, 2018

    Grand Coulee Dam Area Lions participated this weekend in the annual Koulee Kids Fest and Coulee Cruizers Auto Show. The Lions have sponsored a station for the Kids Fest for several years. The Grand Coulee Dam Area Lions was chartered in 1936 and has had an active club in the area since. Sometimes the Lions are not on the front lines or as visible as some, but each year they are active in the community. This kind of fundraiser by the Lions puts money into the club’s project fund, which is used for several projects throughout the year. Some of t...

  • We need to take part if we want improvements

    Birdie Hensley|Mar 21, 2018

    Want a bus so you can get to the store or doctor? Want a bus in town to take you to the senior center? Want bus service to drive you home from a community event? Raise your hand! If any of this is true, why did we have a Grand Coulee Mobility Summit March 15 at the Grand Coulee Dam Senior Center, and out of 20-plus organization that were invited ONLY three attended? It does not help just to sit with your friend at coffee or at the bar and complain about things we do not have in town. Only one city had a representative, no representative from...

  • Museum working on projects

    Birdie Hensley|Oct 18, 2017

    The beginning of a new year... or is it the end of a year? Whatever works for you will work for me. The Coulee Pioneer Museum in Electric City has had another successful year. Each year it grows a little, and more and more people are donating items to it. This is that time of the year when the Coulee Pioneer Museum produces another Historical Calendar. This year we are highlighting Coulee Dam and down river. We’re also celebrating Coulee Dam’s new logo. Calendars can be purchased with a membership for $30, or you can get the calendar alone for...

  • Fund raiser was disappointing

    Birdie Hensley|Sep 14, 2016

    First, I would like to thank all the volunteers and businesses who helped with the Electric City “Pig For the Park” fund raiser held this past Saturday at Electric City. This year’s support and attendance was down considerably from last year and was a great disappointment to the many volunteers who worked so hard putting on this event. Electric City has been working hard to get a safe, clean, fenced, grassy area for the young in Electric City to play in the community. This fund raiser was a part of this effort. These parks are not funded by th... Full story

  • Time to step up, 509ers

    Birdie Hensley|Feb 25, 2015

    14ers, now is the time for you to step up and help with your city government. All of the Mikes, Lees, Clays, Marks, Bobs, Joes, Janes, Marys, etc, (local 509ers) who do not want 206ers, aka “coasties” to run your city. “They are just trying to make it Seattle!”, is what the locals said. Well, as least they are not trying to make it a town with no grocery stores, or shopping, only a few grades of schools, not public transportation, no doctors or hospitals. Locals, it’s now your turn to step up and fix this city, if you think you can. Electric... Full story

  • City officials have to tackle all the problems, not just yours

    Birdie Hensley|Jan 28, 2015

    In the past weeks, we have had a few city council meetings and committee meetings at the local cities. As usual, sometimes things are said that have been taken wrong. Remember, most of these people on the local city councils, city committee are working as a volunteer, and if they are getting paid it is way below minimum wage. The important word is VOLUNTEER. These dedicated people are people that are dedicated and have a love for their communities. At a couple of the meetings in the past weeks, citizens who have only been to two or three... Full story

  • About dry grass at cemetery

    Birdie Hensley|Oct 15, 2014

    First, the Grand Coulee Dam Lions and Spring Canyon Cemetery would like to thank the community for all the support over the past 79 years. We could not do everything we do in the community without the support of this great community. At this time, I would just ask that the community bear with us. If you have visited any of your family or friends that reside at Spring Canyon Cemetery you have noticed that the grass at the cemetery is looking very dry. This is not the fault of anything that the volunteers or the Spring Canyon manager has done.... Full story

  • Coulee Pioneer Museum news

    Birdie Hensley|Aug 28, 2013

    Coulee Pioneer Museum news The Coulee Pioneer Museum thanks the “Historical Book Committee” and “Them Dam Writers,” Edith Lael and 4-Bears for their timely gift so that the museum could purchase access to one of the largest databases to foundations all over the world. Such foundations donate grants to organizations such at the Coulee Pioneer Museum. The museum will be working closely with the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce to receive monies to help preserve the history and heritage of the Grand Coulee Dam Area and share this area’s...

  • Museum would provide way to save history of locals

    Birdie Hensley|Jul 24, 2013

    History was made 80 years ago, July 16. Thousands of people gathered at the Grand Coulee Dam site in 1933 as Gov. Clarence Martin oversaw the groundbreaking for the dam. With a sledge hammer in hand, Martin promised that Grand Coulee Dam would deliver cheap power and millions of gallons of irrigation water to a country upended by the depression. It took more than eight years to build the dam. The hard work and hot, dry climate claimed 77 lives but helped millions of people. The Grand Coulee Dam stands as a monument to hard-working people. On Ju... Full story

  • Museum group looking for members

    Birdie Hensley|Nov 28, 2012

    The Coulee Pioneer Museum is looking for members that want to preserve the history and heritage of the Grand Coulee Dam Area. The museum is moving forward with plans to gather information, photos, personal histories, and much, much more about the area. The name is “Coulee Pioneer Museum”. We have a tax number, logo, a slate of officers and an address. With memberships and donations, we will open a bank account soon. At this time we are looking for a donated area where we can gather information and work on projects. One day we will grow big enou... Full story

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