Family Shows Russian Visitors The Best Spokane Has To Offer

Sat., Nov. 9, 1996

By Marny Lombard marnyl@spokesman.com (509) 927-2166

Lucille Keogh speaks in voice that is half-whisper, half-croak.

Part of it is due to a cold. But mostly Keogh has been on the run - showing a dozen Russian visitors the glories of the Inland Northwest.

She’s taken them to Coeur d’Alene beach at dawn, learned the tales of the stained glass windows of St. John’s Cathedral, and she’s seen them wowed by an impromptu display of a million dollars in a downtown bank.

“It’s been so much fun,” Keogh said, wistful at the end of the Russians’ two-week visit.

“I have many friends in Russia (now). I would not have thought of traveling there before, but now I know I would be welcomed with open arms.”

The Russian visitors include eight students from a Moscow school that emphasizes English, and four women, including three teachers.

Keogh, her husband Pat, and their youngest daughter, Meghan, hosted Marina Uporova, a psychologist.

Meghan Keogh is a junior at West Valley High School and a third-year Russian student.

Uporova and others in the group said the hospitality they encountered impressed them most.

“Lucille was very kind and always tried to understand all of our students,” Uporova said. “It’s impossible, but (because of such kindness) it doesn’t feel as though I’ve traveled so far from my country.”

West Valley parents Lou Simpson and Sherry Esvelt also helped make the visitors feel welcome, Uporova said.

Among the younger visitors, a trip to Laser Quest, the beauty of Lake Coeur d’Alene and “All that money!” at the bank made big impressions.

West Valley Russian teacher Merrie McIvor arranged this visit through contacts she had made traveling. She said she hopes to make a return visit with students in the summer of 1998.

The group arrived two weeks ago and left Friday for Seattle, and then home.

Early in the visit, the Russian students, all of whom are either 14 or 15 years old, rebelled at their schedule, which included five hours a day in class.

After all, they are here on vacation.

“They said they sure would like to have fun.”

So, quick - who was able to arrange a series of tours that will interest teenagers, give them chances to shop and get everyone home on time (most days, that is)?

Lucille Keogh, that’s who. “She’s just stepped in to fill a big void,” McIvor said. “She’s the unsung hero.”

, DataTimes

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