Flashbacks
The article in the Spring 2024 issue about Rico’s in downtown Pullman was the first article in a long time to give me flashbacks. I was a PhD student from 1970 to 1974 and spent many a great afternoon in a “graduate seminar” at Rico’s. There were just a handful of us in the program in the speech department, so spending the afternoon sipping beer and pontificating was a weekly occurrence. Often the class was guided by Professor Paul (PC) Wadleigh. I loved those times, so thanks for the great memories!
Bruce Wasserman ’75 PhD Theatre Arts, Speech
Thank you for your great article on Rico’s Public House. I have fond memories of hanging out at Rico’s, for the beer, for the popcorn, and of course the music and my friends. Perhaps my fondest memory was walking down to Rico’s in 1982 following the ’82 Apple Cup, joined by my sister and one of my closest friends to celebrate the Cougs’ win over the Dawgs. Our one Husky friend in the group picked up the night’s entire tab (not unsubstantial, I can assure you). Pullman simply wouldn’t be Pullman without Rico’s. Go Cougs!
Eric Rouzee ’83 Fine Arts
I loved your showing the Cougar flag in Taiwan, in the Spring 2024 issue. With all the tradition of our flag, including College GameDay, I think it should be a mention in every issue. Invite Cougs to submit pics from all over the world. I am sending you one that I took on top of the Rock of Gibraltar, back in 2016. Note the monkey, on my left, in the background.
Just an idea that I think would be fun and encouraging Cougs to fly their flags everywhere. Good advertising for the university as well.
Terry Brazas ’72 Hotel & Restaurant Admin.
(Courtesy Terry Brazas)
Editor’s note: You can send your Coug flag photos to wsm@wsu.edu.
Too political?
I have read articles for years in the Seattle and Yakima newspapers about salmon recovery and dam removal, as well as the pros and cons.
My wildlife biology professor Irwin Buss at WSU in 1968–72 often spoke of the consequences of the four Snake River dams
and the destruction of the river ecosystem, and the demise of all the wildlife in the corridor. He predicted the outcomes.
His lectures about specific species and their life cycles and management were spellbinding and magical. I have never forgotten them and his message: A livable environment for wildlife provides a huge benefit to all life including humans, and in wildness is the preservation of the earth. This was on his door.
I wonder what current WSU professors think about dam removal and salmon and habitat recovery? Why are they not on the front line and joining tribal leaders in providing the truth about this important topic as we lose more and more species?
Or is it so political that no one risks providing scientific evidence to provide the public with answers?
Terry Shelton ’72 Wildlife Conserv.