Retiree builds model houses

RITZVILLE – When Lee Egnew retired here in 2011, he contemplated projects to help him endure long winter months.

Building model houses and repairing antique radios proved a satisfying solution.

"I made a couple of model houses when I was in high school," the 73-year-old said. "I gave one to my sister, then my brother and I took the other one to the backyard and set it on fire. It looked like a real house burning down.

"I forgot about the hobby until four or five years ago. This time around, I decided to make the models more elaborate than the houses I built as a child. I knew I could buy craft...