Celebrated lentils

We at the Pullman Chamber of Commerce were so delighted to see your article in the most recent issue, titled “Local, Delicious, Neglected,” about our lovable legume: the lentil. We sincerely agree that lentils are local and delicious and having worked at the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council before starting at the Chamber, I can indeed verify that all information you printed about the agronomic qualities is accurate and the recipes you printed are indeed delicious.

However, as the National Lentil Festival Director, I was disappointed to see the word “neglected” applied to lentils which have an entire festival devoted to them. This festival, of which WSU is a major sponsor, consumes two days and is free to anyone who wishes to participate, which last year included nearly 25,000 lentil fans. At the 2008 Festival, 200 gallons of lentil chili were consumed in just under 45 minutes. One hundred fifty recipes for the Legendary Lentil Cook-off were received from 37 states. We hope you will join us at this year’s event August 21-22 in downtown Pullman to enjoy lentils: “Local, Delicious, Celebrated.”

Mary Barstow

 

Xerpha Gaines

I thoroughly enjoyed your article “Love Letters” in the Spring issue of Washington State Magazine as well as all the other information you folks provide.

I had the pleasure of meeting and using the expertise of Xerpha Gaines when in graduate school (Agronomy) 1955-1958, and in my faculty research position at the Western Washington Experiment Station, 1958-1988. She was all that you presented in the article and more.

You mentioned her association with Theo Sheffer. He was at our station at Puyallup for some time around 1959. He was still driving at 93 years of age, very optically impaired, right down the middle of the road. He spoke well of Xerpha Gaines. Her work is enduring and will live on.

Roy L. Goss Agronomist, WSU, retired

 

A tribute to Bill

I’m always thrilled to see Washington State [Magazine] protruding from the stack of mail on the kitchen counter. But last year, my enthusiasm waned when I discovered Dr. William McDougall (Professor Emeritus of Education) mentioned “In Memoriam.”

I dare say no one loved WSU more than Dr. McDougall; no professor saw a greater potential in the student body. Actually, on second thought, Bill’s passion was for the transformative nature of education, which is why he loved WSU.

We all have something significant to provide, I think he’d say. But missing are the basic (and more complex) lessons to illuminate the way. Like so many other great teachers, Bill lived to deliver those lessons to an open mind.

Dr. McDougall was retired by the time I asked him to serve on my dissertation committee. Another professor suggested I call him. Bill said on the phone, “I like some of your research ideas, Jerry…”—my name is Terry—“… right, Terry, I like the ideas but let’s meet for coffee because I need to know whether you give a damn about your work.”

For two years, Dr. McDougall helped guide me through the Interdisciplinary PhD program and, of course, we became good friends. A decade later, I remain thankful for Bill and his advice. His enthusiasm for developing students ought not be forgotten.

As I work daily in Colorado higher education, I strive to emulate professionals like Dr. Bill McDougall. Long live his academic legacy!

And, for all of us, keep up the exemplary work with Washington State.

Respectfully,
Terry Schliesman ’95 M.A.,’98 PhD
Professor of Communication, Western State College of Colorado

 

And to Bob

I just received my Spring 2009 issue of Washington State Magazine. What an outstanding publication. I was particularly impressed by the article “You Must Remember This” … and perhaps so considering my age!

In looking at “In Memorium” for the 1940s, I didn’t find Robert S. Dalrymple ‘45, Camano Island. He passed away on August 29, 2008. I imagine his daughter Sharon Ward has been so busy settling the estate that she had not notified WSU. Perhaps some other WSU friend of Bob has done so.

Bob and I were roommates in 1942–43, and I was best man at his wedding to Dorothy Fisher in June 1943. We had kept in touch ever since. During the 1950s we were neighbors in Richland. During the past few summers I drove to visit them. Dorothy passed away December 1, 2005. They had two children, Sharon and Bill.

Roy W. Wirta ’45, La Mesa, California