Feb. 9, 2006

Dear Editor,

I was almost brought to tears to see the photos of the swimming pool being burned. My family lived on the other side of the ball field from the pool for 50 years. I started working at the swimming pool in the summer of 1958 as a checker of the clothing. I later became a lifeguard, a swimming instructor, and eventually I managed the pool from 1963-1965. If someone checked the records I may have worked more years at that pool than anyone.

I think that I can honestly say I taught swimming lessons to almost every child in Orofino and many of the adults too. I also taught many of the kids from the county because Pierce and Weippe bussed kids in for lessons.

Only the old timers in Orofino would remember Mrs. Pappenhagen, the wife of the Dr. in town. She was a heavy set woman but she loved the pool and she loved swimming. One of her great accomplishments and she was so proud of it was when I taught her how to dive and she even did it off the diving board without a splash.

There are so many of my memories of Orofino and the people there that revolve around that swimming pool. It was the center of the town in the summer and the pool provided so many activities other than just swimming. We had a swim team, swim time for adults when the pool was closed between lessons and open swim. We had lessons for every level of swimming and we trained a large number of young people in life saving and first aid.

I am just so saddened that the city would allow the pool to deteriorate so. It is something they should all be ashamed of.

Joe Goffinet
302 9th St. SE
Washington, DC 20003