Lake Boren 3--Rainbow

This wasn't a planned activity, but it grabbed attention. 

The mixture of sun and rain brought a beautiful rainbow.

Happy Birthday, America!!

 

Beloved Former Cougar Coach Jim Walden Dies

 Most Cougar football fans were down in the dumps when Jim Walden was chosen as head football coach in 1978.  The program has lost two head coaches in the past two season. Actually, three in three seasons counting the departure of Jim Sweeney, who had been with the program for eight seasons.  

Sweeney's successors, brought promise but both left after one year at the helm, including Warren Powers, who had promised to see the program through. 

 Walden, who had followed Powers to Pullman as an assistant from Nebraska, took over the reigns from Powers.  He not only stayed until 1986, but took the program, long often dismissed and disrespected, to new heights. He took the team, in 1981, to its first bowl game since 1931.

He also led to Cougar to three Apple Cup victories (games with cross state rival Washington) in four years, something that only happed two other times in history. 

Known for his colorful personality and for speaking his mind, Walden later became a commentator on the Cougar football broadcasts.  

Jim Walden died yesterday (Thursday, July 2nd, 2026).  He was 88. 

Lake Boren 2--Fireworks

 A great fireworks display.  The Lake Boren Park celebration has become an annual event for us. 

Celebration At Lake Boren

 

We enjoyed an early Fourth celebration at Lake Boren Park at nearby Newcastle.  Pioneer Square provided musical entertainment. 

Steve Find

 

Back when the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin printed the births of local residents, grandchildren, My Uncle Dave and Aunt Dorothy got a notice in the UB when their son, Stan and his wife, Shirley gave birth to daughter, Leigh Kara Barer.  

Today, Leigh is married and has a grown son. 

Steve, my brother, has found various historical notes while subscribing to the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin archives. 

NFL Possibly Absorbing Bigtime College Football?

 Don't ask me why, but these sound like scary concepts.  Maybe, by then, the Big 10 will have absorbed Washington State and Oregon State.  Brodie Brazil, a You Tube sports commentator, tries to predict the direction of College football.

Happy Belated Birthday, Mel Brooks

 Happy Birthday to movie funnyman Mel Brooks, who turned 100 yesterday (Sunday, June 28th, 2026). Brooks was the genius behind movies like "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein".  Also, TV shows like "Get Smart".  

Seaside Beach Sunsets

 Thank you to Google, here are some sunsets that I've captured over the years on the beach at Seaside, Oregon.

Cohn Signs Off

Linda Cohn, ESPN's longest serving anchor, has done her last show.  Cohn was on KIRO 7 in the early 90s.

More Walla Walla Baseball From 1969

 

I had previously posted the bottom picture that was scanned, obviously, from something we saved.  Steve, who subscribes to the UB archives, found the entire article in the feature section of the paper. 

I was totally crazy over what was then the Walla Walla Bears. 

In the picture,below, are my brother, Danny and sister, Debbie in the front row.  In the back, my Mom, myself, and my Dad.  Steve would come along in 1971.