Mother's Day on the near horizon

SAW THE SUN--Between the rain and the wind, we did see some sun last week and as this week began, it was nice all day Sunday. However, with rain coming in for the rest of the week, it looks like the rain coats and boots will be staying by the door. The heavy rains and strong winds on Monday afternoon made it miserable and seemed to chill me to the bone; with plenty of rain on Tuesday, it was still a time to huddle by the fire.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from April 29-May 5 are Shannon McClain, Connie Luthi, Wally Wright, Marcia Moody, Robert Meyer, Ricky Montgomery, Misty Havens, Mary Vik, Marie Snow, Eva (Sweet Pea) Snow, Jeff Ostling, Orville Lindsey, Conner Emlen-Petterson, Stephanie Moonen, Rosie Hicks, Michella Miller, and grandson Austin Good turns 14 next Tuesday. Happy Birthday everybody!

Happy Anniversary wishes to Erval and Carol Cooper, John and Elaine Lindsey, Treasure and Michelle Collupy and Katrina (Pedersen) and Matthew Freeman.

ANOTHER MONTH--May Day is Saturday. It's time to surprise the neighbors with flowers at their doorstep or hand a bunch to your best friend as a surprise. Flowers are welcome any time of course, but with May Day almost here and Mother's Day on May 9, it's time to head to Skamokawa Gardens Nursery on Steamboat Slough and let Danny Silverman show you all the gorgeous plants he has. There's one thing you don't want to do, and that's forget Mother's Day. You'll be hearing about it until Christmas if you forget, so you've been pre-warned!

IN A COUPLE WEEKS--The 26th annual "Great White Tail Run" will take place along the refuge on May 15, so if you want to be sure and get one of the T-shirts, you should be registered by May 3; mail-in entries have until May 12. On the day of the race, registration takes place at the Skamokawa Vista Park at 8:30 a.m. and the race begins at 10 a.m. This is a fund raiser for the Wahkiakum based 4-H program with all proceeds going to support this local program. More info? Call: 795-3278.

PERFORMERS MEET--Last Friday, the performers for the Skamokawa Grange's upcoming musical revue in June took place and I'm happy to report that several new people are joining the cast this year. Director Adele Swift was thrilled to see some young ladies opt to join in the fun, as well as a couple of talented gentlemen. We are all very excited about these new performers, and hope you'll come and cheer them on, as they are all volunteers who do this to help this grange fund raiser.

GOOD NEWS--Former classmate Sharon Stout Servis says that everyone's good thoughts and prayers must have worked, as her hubby BJ is home and doing so much better after some health issues.

THINKING GOOD THOUGHTS--Marshall Pedersen, youngest of my four brothers, will be having some surgery. We'll all be hoping and praying that his surgery is successful and everything works out just fine for him back east, and of course, we'd be thankful for any other positive thoughts and prayers said on his behalf.

RECUPERATING--I got a call from Diane Frank, who said her mom, long time resident Ora Eaton, is recuperating at our local nursing home after a hospital trip earlier this month. We must send some special get well wishes to one of my favorite Island ladies and one of my mom's dearest friends. Take care, Ora!

One of our Skamokawa guys, Jim Rainey, has been on the mend since having some surgery and we hope to see him out and about pretty soon. Jerry Ledtke was seen out and about after his surgery, so we hope the guys continue to heal up nicely.

LUCKY--On Monday, Jerry Bain had the unlucky experience of having a small excavator roll over him and pin him to the ground. While cell phones don't always work in several parts around Skamokawa, he was lucky to get the much needed reception and was able to call for help. We are certainly thankful his injuries weren't more severe and we're happy to hear that he walked out of the hospital after some stitiches; he's very lucky in that regard. Kudos to the county road crew who were instrumental in his rescue that afternoon.

PHOTO CONTEST--This Saturday is May 1 and that is the day you should all be out taking pictures, as The Eagle is holding its first ever photo contest. The theme is "A Day in The Life of Wahkiakum County." What does that mean to you? Get on your thinking caps, grab your camera and head outside; it's supposed to be nice Saturday, and see about entering that great photo you just took. Photos must be taken in Wahkiakum County or the Naselle area. Entry forms are in the paper or online. You have until May 7 to enter your photo. There are four categories, so you could be one of those who wins $50 and get them published as well. Good luck to one and all!

GRANGE CONTESTS--May 8 is not far away and I do hope you've got some things made and ready to enter into the State Grange contest. Instead of folks taking things to Grays River this year, Donna Moody has kindly offered to come to our Skamokawa Grange and take in entries here for the first time, beginning at noon that day. This is not just for grangers; anyone can enter and you can check out all the rules on the grange website http://www.wa-grange.org or just type in Washington State Grange. These contests operate pretty much like our county fair does, so if you've taken a photo, made cards or baked something to enter in the fair, you'll know what's expected of you. Recipes are required for the baked goods. If you have any questions, give Donna Moody a call on the Westend or give me a call and I'll try to help you out.

SPOTTED--The latest edition of the Washington State Grange News has a picture on the front of it, which includes a couple of local folks: Lois Nelson from Cathlamet and Bobby Larson from Grays River. They were both spotted in the picture of their "intersessions" meeting which was held March 25 at the State Grange Headquarters. They were also on the inside of the paper on page seven. Grays River Grange Master Krist Novoselic and grangers Darlene Ammer, Cody Cooley and Megan Agee, were in a photo on page eight, as they presented dictionaries to the third graders at the Naselle grade school recently as part of the grange's "Words for Thirds" project. Our Skamokawa Grange had an article about their doings on page eight and another photo from the GR grange about their recent exemplification of the First Degree was on page three, so our Wahkiakum Granges are getting some good press.

SHORT TIME--The latest exhibit at Redmen Hall, "The Importance of American Folk Art," will end May 9, so we hope you'll head up to the hall to catch that before it leaves. Some of our local guys got a spot in the exhibit as these "movers and shakers" meet every morning over coffee and are willing to give you a hand if you need one or know someone who can; there is a vast array of knowledge amongst the group, so if you're looking for help, head to the Duck Inn during the early morning hours and ask the guys! And don't forget to check out this exhibit--the hall is open Thursdays through Sundays from noon to four. Come and meet Lisa Mooers who will be the new office gal at the Hall.

CONGRATS--Becky Ledtke announced to the Skamokawa Grangers at their meeting last Monday night that Lore Twiet is now our new Wahkiakum County Fair Manager and we want to offer her our congratulations. Lore has been involved with the fair for many years and we wish her all the best in her new job!