Movie night at Grange hall Saturday

WET AND COLD--Here we are, already a week into the new year. How is it treating you so far? I hope everything is going fine for you but if you’re like me, you’re already wishing for warmer weather as it’s sure been nippy lately. When it wasn’t freezing, it was still wet and windy and the chill just seems to soak into your bones. Brr! Nothing seems to take that away except a nice hot soak in the tub; of course, that’s my old bones talking so many of you aren’t there quite yet. Lucky you!

NICE TIME--The New Year came in without any fuss at all, as many of us headed to the Duck Inn for some karaoke and snacks, with our designated drivers in tow, and we had a great time. The fun group enjoyed Glen Crown and his music and the karaoke singers list grew as the evening wore on. Our local officers stopped by and confirmed that we were all being safe and sane.

On Saturday, the Duck held a crab feed that was enjoyed by everybody who attended. I’m sure the owners appreciated the business and we hope you’ll continue to support one of our local businesses which we would hate to lose.

Contrary to the article in the Daily News, which mentioned the Duck Inn being a “tavern” several times, it is a restaurant and cocktail lounge.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from January 7-13 are Josh Moonen, Mickie Smith, Sheena Almer, Jim Koziel, Jason Rainey, Bill Mahitka, Michael A. Quigley, Kara McNally, Criss Luthi, Lisa Hoven, Frank Strueby, Vanessa McClain, Holly Anderson, Roy LaBerge, Tom Irving, Phil Vik, Colleen Elliott, Sandy Wirkkala, Don P. Wages, Marlena Silva, Kyler A. Sause turns four this week, Cindy Lloyd, wife of ‘67’er Greg Lloyd, James M. Blain, Mike Moore and Ty Finkas. Happy Anniversary wishes go to 67’er Marnee Davis and husband, Todd. Happy days everybody!

GET WELL--A couple of guys that I’ve heard had some health issues lately which included trips to the hospital are Dave Hjaltalin and Don Twiet. We hope they are receiving the care they need and feeling better every day. Get well soon!

SYMPATHIES--We were so sad to hear of the loss of Justin James Florek, whose dad Jim, I have known for years and years. Justin died in a terrible accident at his work place in Longview on Christmas at the young age of just 25. We send our deepest condolences to all of his family members. Also, Cliff Garrison lost his father Sam Garrison recently with services planned for this Saturday. He and his family have our deepest sympathies as well. Darrell Trimble also passed on and I had known him and his family all my life, so again, our condolences to that whole family as well. I got a note from my cousin, Marlise Pederson who said her sister Linnea passed away just before Thanksgiving, as did her husband's cousin that same day, so it’s been a rough winter for them as well.

THIS IS IT--Yes, this is the Saturday that the big screen will be lit up at the Skamokawa Grange Hall with the showing of “Winged Migration,” which is a wonderful and beautiful film about our flying friends. Amazing photography throughout the show really keeps your eyes glued to the screen. This is a free showing and it begins at 7 p.m. with granger Mike Rees in charge of the projector. To start the evening off, the 4-H kids will present a short film that they made. This is a family show and all children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. We hope to see you there!

ACTING ANYONE?--If your child is a good candidate for being a “ham” on the stage, you might want to take them to the auditions for the Children’s Theater program in Astoria. These auditions will take place from noon to 2 p.m. this Saturday at the ASOC Playhouse at 129 West Bond Street in Uniontown, Astoria, near the Pig 'n Pancake restaurant. It is for ages 8-14 and is limited to 35 kids with the fee of $37.50 for classes. For more information, call 503-440-9002, ask for Chris Lynn.

IN MARCH--There will be a couple of crab feeds in March, as the one in Rosburg takes place on the first weekend, March 6, and the one at the Norse Hall put on by the Chamber of Commerce, will take place the following weekend. Tickets are always limited for these events, so get yours early. The Norse Hall does have multiple seating opportunities so you have some pretty good odds at getting in there, but the one in Rosburg is just one seating before the drawings and music begins.

COMING THIS SPRING--I know it seems early but I’ve already got people asking me when the next Dollars for Scholars Car Show is. These car folks make plans well in advance of the event, so mark June 5 as the date this year. As usual, the sturgeon derby will be held in conjunction with the car show and there will be great prizes, games, food, etc., thanks to the hard work of folks from both the east and west side of KM. We have a lot of people to thank for putting on such a great event. This derby and car show will take place in the Wahkiakum Fairgrounds, Skamokawa Grange Hall and the county park next to them, so we hope to see you there. I’ll be letting you know when registration forms will be available or call Lee Tischer at 849-4257 for more information.

ALSO JUNE--The Skamokawa Grange Hall will be a busy place the month of June as a few weeks after the car show, it will be time for the third annual “Follies!” This will be a three day event and will have evening showings on Friday and Saturday and an afternoon showing on Sunday, so mark June 25, 26 and 27 on your calendar and watch for more information in the coming months as producers and directors, Sunrise Fletcher and Adele Swift come together and put out another great show for us to perform! If you’d like to join the cast, give either of these two folks a call and get yourself involved in this blast from the past! This is a fund raising event for the Skamokawa Grangers, as it takes a lot to keep these old buildings going. We hope you’ll come and support our efforts to keep this building open to the public for its many community uses.

OUT OF THE PAST--This week in 1945, the week began nice and warm and springlike. However, after a few of these days, the rains and winds returned. Smelt were in all the rivers and the fishermen were having a fine time hauling them in. Charlie Warren stopped by the telephone office and visited with Elsie Everest. He hadn’t been down in months she said. Also stopping by were Albert West and Pearl. A blimp was hovering over the area and was very close to the ground on Puget Island. It was causing quite a stir! A cartoon and quote was in the paper that week: “Skamokawa Pete says an optimist is a man who marries his secretary, thinking he’ll be able to keep dictating to her.”

In 1965, the year began with some snow. On January 3, it was snowing very hard. It was in the 30s most of that week and by the beginning of the second week, it was in the upper 30s and rain returned by January 9. It did get nice for the last three days of that week though and it was “lovely.” The year didn’t start out so well for Ray Sechler Jr. as while he was headed down Ocean Beach Highway, he was hit head on by Stanley Sumski, who was listed in good condition as was his passenger, Jim Jones, while Ray was treated for minor injuries in Cathlamet. His date, Kay Pedersen, was waiting for him at her home on Puget Island and was thinking she got stood up until she got a call about the accident later that evening. It was January 13 this year before Grandma Elsie had the first batch of smelt, "big and good" she said. The Gene Healys’ daughter, Deanna was in the hospital that week in Seattle but came home after several days. Glenn and Donna Palmer stopped by the Everests after a basketball game….Cathlamet won 73 to 33. All this according to Grandma Elsie Everest’s diaries.