"Bomber Memories"
October 11, 12, 13 & 14, 1998
October 11, 1998
Sue Elliott Crumb Homan (62)
I've learned more about Richland and the whole Tri-City area from reading the Alumni Sandstorm than I knew the whole time we lived there! We moved to Richland during the summer of '57 (had been living in Colfax), just before I started eighth grade at Chief Jo. In Richland we lived near the corner of Thayer and Torbett, by the water tower. I'm the oldest of four Bombers: my siblings are Toby (64), Ellen (68), and Andy (71). Our neighbors included Randy George, who would have been in my class (left before graduation to join the service), and Mr. St. John, who taught speech at Chief Jo.
Some of the memories that come to my mind as I read those of others are: Rev. David Seaman, pastor of Central United Protestant Church, until he died of a heart attack while playing golf in his mid thirties. That would have been in the late '50s or early '60s; we were told by teacher as we were about to take a final exam -- since many of us attended CUP and knew and loved Rev. Dave, we were VERY shaken by this news, and had a tough time concentrating on the test, needless to say.
Miss Morn -- she would have taught at Jason Lee around that same time. I didn't have her, but I know at least one of my brothers did; she was absolutely beautiful, with flaming red hair, and a wonderful teacher -- also died (of cancer) at an early age.
Happier memories: Starlit Stairway (I auditioned for it - never got on -- as I remember, the phone number for Boyle Fuel was: EMpire 1-521.
The Col High Drill Team -- marching on the football field and at basketball games, in our green skirts and white sweaters, learning about precision and school spirit at the same time.
Mr. Juricich's safe driving class -- knowing I'd NEVER be able to parallel park successfully (didn't get my license till I was out of college and a mother).
Riding horses from the academy in West Richland -- you had to tell them you'd been riding for five years in order to get a horse that could still walk.
Swimming at the lagoon, in the irrigation ditch (do people still do that?), at the pool on Swift (my brother, Toby, was a lifeguard there, and both he and Ellen were on the swim team); the Chinook winds somebody mentioned, that could make the snow disappear almost instantly; and, mostly, wondering what made some people so 'cool' and some so NOT, and just how to get from one to the other. Now I wonder why it mattered so much!
Sue Elliott Crumb Homan
Ron Richards (63)
To Tom Hemphill: Yes, the ferry across the Columbia at North Richland was great for hunting. You didn't even have to wait for Saturdays or Sundays. Catching the ferry as soon as possible after school on the weekdays allowed you to get to the corn fields just about the time shooting hours ended. Then you could usually get your limit of ducks within thirty minutes.
To Jim Hamilton: Wednesdays, Jim, not Thursdays (that would have been illegal). And Holidays, too. We wouldn't miss any opportunities. It's amazing, isn't it, how the goose has now become a city dweller. In Denver, it's easier to get a goose on the golf course than a birdie. Okay, that was really bad.
To Dave Pugh: Thinking of Jim's stories about the Chipmunks, do you remember the day that you, the Chipmunks, and I got 24 ducks at Bailie's Hunting Club in the morning. Then, on our way home in the afternoon, we got 12 pheasants in the sugar beet fields north of Pasco.
Ron Richards
Paula Vinther Case (69)
Billye Conley Drew (61) had a number of memories that I could relate to, especially the amusement rides behind the Tastee Freeze. The one and only "train wreck" that I have ever been in happened behind the Tastee Freeze. My dad took me down there when I was about 5 and I was so excited to go on the rides. The train, if I remember correctly, went around in a circle (very exciting!) and was driven by a man sitting in the front car pretending to be the "engineer." I don't think there were very many of us in the train and perhaps the "engineer" was a little bored and decided to speed things up a bit but we ended up going a little too fast and the train flipped off the track sending me face-first into the gravel. I got to make my one and only trip to First Aid at Kadlec. I didn't need stitches but I do still have an itty-bitty scar on my forehead from the "great Richland train wreck." My parents received a phone call that night from the woman from the amusement ride business who just wanted to make sure that I was all right. We thought that was so nice... she probably wanted to make sure we weren't going to sue! Actually that was before the days when lawsuits were so popular. I really believe she cared.
Paula.
Creede Lombard (72)
To: Teresa Cook Morgan (73): You mentioned Mrs. Wiley the typing teacher at Col Hi. Yep, she was quite a character. Under her supervision I got the rudiments of typing figured out. I was seated next to an overachiever who had obviously taken a typing class before and I was always frustrated because until I figured out that she was a "ringer" I thought I should be able to keep up with her. I escaped the class with a B and a typing speed of 35 WPM. It took the invention of the computer to bring that speed up to 80. Too bad my mind has trouble keeping up with my fingers sometimes. Used to be the other way around.
I was always certain the reason PE existed was not for any supposed physical or mental benefit, but so that I could be publicly humiliated. Me. Personally. I never got better than a C all the time I was in PE, and I hated low grades (so did my parents). Besides, some people just don't look good in gym suits. I was never so happy as the day I finished my sophomore year and would never, ever have to take another PE class. So, doesn't it figure that when we moved to New Jersey after my junior year I was horrified to find out they require FOUR years of PE there!!! I figured I must have done something REALLY bad to have to work off that much karma. Thankfully they didn't make me make up the junior year and as a senior I could take a semester of driver's ed instead of PE (in Jersey, it's a survival skill) so I got out with only one further semester, then when I went to college I was allowed to take courses like bowling and ballroom dance toward the PE requirement.
Creede
October 12, 1998
Vern Blanchette (64)
This is from my copy of DUPUS BOOMER cartoons
As published in the Richland Villager
A Collection of DUPUS BOOMER cartoons by Dick Donnell [father of James E. Donnell (53)] edited by Paul Nissen
A RECIPE FOR A LAWN IN RICHLAND - page 34
1. Take one heaping lot of sand.
2. Put one case of beer in the refrigerator.
3. Take one long look at sand.
4. Drink one bottle of beer.
5. See neighbor about borrowing shovel and rake.
6. Visit neighbor about two hours or until your wife calls you
7. Return full of determination and beer.
8. Remove desert vegetation from sand until back gives out.
9. Drink bottle of beer.
10. Level sand until discouraged.
11. Drink bottle of beer.
12. Apply water to entire mess -- irrigation water, that is.
13. Let wet sand stand out overnight.
14. Limp to bed and collapse.
(There's more on next page)
MORE ON COOKING UP A LAWN - page 35
(Go ahead, just reading about it isn't going to hurt you)
15. Arise at dawn (it says here).
16. Examine prepared soil and notice concrete-like texture.
17. Drink a bottle of beer.
18. Scratch sand with rake until dust eliminates visibility.
20. Sow seed until gone, which will cover about one-third of area.
21. Drink a bottle of beer.
22. Alternate watering and beer drinking every 20 minutes for three weeks.
23. Get more beer.
24. Notice bare spots and weeds.
25. Drink a bottle of beer.
26. Mow area as soon as first blade of grass is one inch high.
28. Mow area at least once each day until grass is long enough to cut.
(Well, all right, so you can't find No. 19! You can think of just ONE thing to do yourself, can't you?)
Rod Brewer (65)
Let me just add.. Ray Stein, without doubt, was the best high school basketball player I've ever seen. My comment was in jest as I'm sure Ray knows. The 62 and 63 teams that Ray, Jim and Thea led were probably in the top 5 in Richland history. They finished 3rd in two of the best state tournaments ever played. The 64 team was all Ray, with a lot of help from Gary Webb. Playing two years with Ray and hanging out with Jim, and wearing his #32 are still the best high school memories I have.
Rod
Micky Hemphill (66)
Bob Degraw (66): The Homecoming Bonfire.... I think it was the last one attempted by the high school. David Ford was part of the clandestine group, and may have been the ring leader. I don't know why any of the City Fathers and school officials were upset. We only had a few "Molotov Cocktails" in the cars with us.... I would kill my child if they did that today!!
Cheryl Moran Fleming (66): Jim and I were the first ones to swim in the Pardee's pool right after they built it. Mr. Pardee taught me to remember which direction to turn a valve: "righty- tighty, and lefty- loosey".
Sandi Cherrington (66): I remember a "kegger", or two, out at the old camp hanford site. Does "beer flats" ring a bell with anyone?
Hunting ?? sorry Tom, I have to tell this one... Tom's first pheasant was taken at the McNary Game Range with Dad as the hunting guide, and me as the bird dog. For those who don't remember these birds were raised in pens and planted by the game department. They didn't fly well, but could run like the wind. Tom's bird sprinted out of some bushes and started down the path ahead of us. Tom's first shot was a little low which caused the bird to leap straight up in the air. As the bird reached the apex Tom pumped out another shot and a cloud of feathers was seen, and when the bird hit the ground he was still flopping around... not wanting to lose his first pheasant another shot was placed into the poor thing. I think Mom threw that one away?
Memories................
Micky Hemphill
October 13, 1998
Millie Finch Gregg (54)
To all Bombers - I am so glad I'm one of us - we stick together better than glue. There is something about that Bomber loyalty that can't be cracked. The memories that have come in lately have been great, just want to respond to a few:
To: Norma Loescher Boswell (53) your story of the "Termination Winds" was great. I remember them so well, and after they were gone it was the tough guys that stayed!
To: Ralph Myrick (51) - I remember so well the Pasco vs Richland BB games. In the old gym, you are right it was a bucket of blood (even though I never saw any)! Someone had mentioned that they didn't think that Grandview was large enough to be in the AAAA class. Well, in the 50's neither were we. I remember one game so vividly in 53 where we went to Wapato. It was a heart attack game and when everyone left - no one could even talk. It was the most exciting game for me.
To: Marguerite Groff Tompkins (54) - I'm glad you mentioned the terrible snow storm in (49 or 50). It was a blizzard and we waited for our folks to get us. Many of them had a hard time getting to Carmichael as the wind was blowing so hard across Carmichael Hill, that it was almost impossible to navigate, but soon here came good old mom and rescued me. You got it right - the basketball rules were "dumb".
To: Mary Winston Wymer (55) I know you were a great cheerleader for the Bombers!! You mentioned the salt tablets and I do remember them. In the south end of town where we lived the containers were everywhere so that the workers could get them as needed. I don't remember me ever taking them though. I, too, still have my miniature cedar chest that I got from Bell Furniture my Sr. year.
To: Bob DeGraw (66)- Your memories of the shift work and Christmas Time.. I remember one year, dad was on graveyard and the rules were no one could go downstairs until Dad got home - it was an eternity, and what's funny in my remembrance is that our aunt and uncle beat us down the stairs! Oh what fond memories. I remember standing on the corner waiting for daddy to come home. I would get his lunch box, and low and behold there was always something in it for me!
Millie Finch Gregg
Mary Lou Watkins Rhebeck (63)
Just a quick note to Jefferson people.... We loved Mrs. Hahn, also our PE teacher, Violet Jones... remember that she taught us to point our finger in to where we wanted the ball to go (like Babe Ruth!!) and to this day it's the only way I can throw a ball... maybe that method would help my golf. And are there any of you who had Mrs. Viola Price for third grade? What a wonderful teacher... she taught us to remember RSVP as "Returned Signed Viola Price"... great memory association... and teaching us to spell, "when adding 'ing' drop the 'e' down to Pasco". It was a wonderful school and a wonderful way to begin formal education....
Mary Lou (Watkins) Rhebeck
Shirley Collings Haskins (66)
To Joe Ford (63): I have the newspaper article dated Friday, October 1, 1993, which has large, bold type stating "LEGENDARY ART DAWALD DIES AT 88". (Memorial Page)
Shirley Collings Haskins
October 14, 1998
Jack Gardiner (61)
On October 8 Denny Damschen (62) made reference about Richland playing in the American Legion World Series, in Anaheim CA. The way I remember, it was in 1959. Richland went to the Colt League World Series, in Ontario, CA. Richland did play Pensacola, FLA. We lost to Pensacola (15-1) and South Carolina (18-13). Pensacola went on to win the tournament. The team members were ... Jack Gardiner (61), Steve Cox (61), Bill Blankingship (62), Bob Sturgis (62), Doug Lukins (62), Jim Johnson (60), Jim Adrain (61), Stan Smith (62), Dennis Waltman (60), Craig Guse (61), Dick Huske (61), Reggi Jaynes (60), Butch Hexum (60), Carl Taylor (60), Craig Lansing (62), Dumas Gaines (61), George Brinkman (60) and Bob Card (62).
Thanks Jack Gardiner
Sandy Carpenter McDermott (61)
To: Mary Lou Watkins Rhebeck (63): Sure has been good to hear and remember all the references about Jefferson Grade School. I lived just across the street on Davison Ave., so it was a short walk to school. Yes, Mrs. Hahn was a wonderful teacher. Before she was the Librarian, she taught First Grade and I was one of her students. She taught us so many extras that were above and beyond... like teaching the girls to crochet; I still crochet (when I get the chance). Also, I was another who enjoyed Mr. Coelo's art classes. Does anyone remember the PE teacher, Mrs. Jones. As I remember, she was a pretty liberal gal for back in those days. How about Mr. St. John? He was the one who brought this shy little girl out of her shell. I had him as a teacher in the 5th grade. That was the year they brought in all the construction workers from all over the country to build the houses in the district North of Chief Jo (Bower Day Homes, I think). Anyway, I was about the only one in my class who had lived in Richland
and knew where everything was, so Mr. St. John counted on me to show everyone else the ropes. It sure did a lot for me that he showed that kind of confidence in me... I will always remember him for that. And, later on I had him for Speech in Chief Jo. Great teachers who left lasting impressions on all of us.Thanks for reminding us!
Cindy Ryan (62) (aka Ann Ryan)
By the way does anyone remember Miss Compton (French teacher) ? She was such a witch, most would spell it with a B. Dennis Sullivan sat behind me and would say before class your shaking we must be having a test to day. He then would open his book for the first time and ace the test. Not fair! I relinquished my Student Council position to Gerry Stirred because she made me so nervous in the class meetings.
Don Panther (62)
I worked with one of Art Dawald's grandsons, Mitch Vitulli, for several years, and I believe it was in the late 80's when Art passed away. He'd had a stroke but still maintained an exercise routine as long as he could. I had the thrill of being in the last "cut" for the BBall team in my senior year. I was too short to even be seen until I reached 5'9". Art asked me where I'd been the other two years and I told him I was too short and knew enough to not even bother coming out. He told me it was too late to learn his system but he'd keep me 'til the last cut. Then he went off to shoot layins over and over. I can remember him doing that a lot, as if he were studying the mechanics of the layin to find some answer as to why so many easy ones were missed. I didn't expect to make the team, but it was a moment to remember. My brother Steve did play three years under Dawald and a couple of years at CBC. He was on one of the state champion teams and tells of the '66 (I think) tournament when Richland lost in the semifinal game one a half court + desperation shot. He said Art just stood up, and with a look of disbelief, walked into the locker room. As I recall, Richland made up for it the next year.
Short as I was, I enjoyed the thrill of Bomber Basketball, with memories of Wapato, Pasco, District and State tournaments! And trips to the games in Yakima, driving my Dad's '53 Hudson Hornet, with the dual carb flathead six (and a lousy heater)!
Ann McCue Hewett (63)
To Bob DeGraw (66) (10/8): Thanks for stirring up the memories about the common cause and connections I now live in a town with pioneer families - families linked to families - kinfolk all over the place and roots deeper than deep. I have often thought of how Richland was unique in that way... Besides having all the people working for a common cause, almost everyone was uprooted from their family "territories". Our families adopted one another to spend holidays and special occasions and new traditions were created. There was a special closeness and community! I never knew how unique it was - I thought everyone grew up that way!
To Connie Foster McLean (63) (10/9): Our parents WERE pioneers in a new frontier and they did do the best they knew to do with the circumstances!
I remember my parents keeping a food and emergency supply in our basement. I also remember at least one time packing it all in the car and following an emergency evacuation route... can't remember where we went but it was far out of town. (That food stash was great - when Mom and Dad would decide it was time for a camp outing we could be packed in no time and be on our way to the White Pass area!)
Anyone else remember Richland supposedly being "ranked" high on THE LIST of places that would be bombed in case of war? (And all the while I felt safe for the most part.)
Ann McCue Hewett
Maren Smyth (64)
After reading the entry from Ann McCue (63), Christmas Day memories popped into my head -- and the community-turned-family existence that we enjoyed so much.
We lived in an "L" house -- 4 bedrooms upstairs -- on Christmas morning, we couldn't go downstairs to see what Santa left until the whole family was awake. Youngest ALWAYS led the 'parade' down the stairs and since I was second oldest, it was always fun to watch the little ones be all surprised and excited.
The end of the day was always topped off by a trip up to Charette's house (on Hunt). Between Charette's 6 kids and our 7, the house was always full. And there were others who came, too... The Pierards -- their kids were all older than us and I don't remember them much. The person I remember the most from those Christmas Day Eve's at Charette's was Mrs. Pierard's father -- "Dad Boudreau" (sp?). He'd always bring his fiddle and he would play "Irish Washer Woman" on that fiddle SO FAST... and he'd play it over and over - and would probably STILL be doing it, but some of the parents would call a halt after a while. Mr. and Mrs. Burke (Bill and Carolyn) were there, too and sometimes Charlie (66). Others, too, I'm sure.... all "Richland family".
And then we'd leave Charette's and head home.... ALWAYS with an out-of-the-way route down Cottonwood to see all the Christmas lights. Weren't they GREAT??!!!
Seven still excited -- but tired -- kids were ready for bed by the time we got home.
Donna Fisher (80)
To: Ken Heminger: yes, I remember going up to Bombing Range Road and looking for agates. That was one of our favorites adventures when we were kids.
Here are some of my favorites memories:
~ going for A&W for mug root beer.
~ walking from the old Lewis and Clark to the new one and then watching them tear down the old one.
~ watching the fire department burned down the old Carnation building.
~ fishing at Old Wellisian Pond.
~ going to Kennewick and watch the baseball game with my dad and Grandpa Fisher. I think the field was located at the corner of Edison and Clearwater. Is the right, was the team a pro or minor team playing and what was the name of the team?
~ going to the old library that was located in the Kramer building at the time.
~ the Richland Police department wearing brown uniforms and driving in tan cars.
Here one that I need help on: I would like to know if there was a store located on the corner of Lee/Stevens before Albertson came in. The only thing I can remember was riding the mechanic elephant and the store was divided up with the grocery department on side and a department store on the other side and it wasn't Rosauer/Playless.
Donna Fisher
