Popcorn popper theft a real shame

GREAT WEEKEND WEATHER--Mother's Day weekend couldn't have been nicer--sunshine and warmth! It's about time! I know it seemed to bring everybody out and most folks seem to have perked up and got into a better mood; the sunshine will do that for you, so I hope we see more of it in the days ahead. Of course, I'm talking the hours prior to Sunday evening, as the wind picked up, the clouds rolled in and it got pretty nippy, but up until then, it was great. The beginning of this work week has not been so kind; it was wet and nasty for most of Monday but the weatherman promises some upper 70 temperatures by midweek, so we'll get to put away the umbrellas and lather on some suntan lotion for a few days. Whoopee!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 13-19 are Christeena Bassi, Bryce McClain, Kerrie McNally, Steve Doumit, Stacey Wegdahl, Masen Anderson turns six, Brian Toste, Betsy Nelson, Frances Phelan, Marty Kuller, Julie McKinley, Courtney Helms, Ellen Andersen, Sarah Phillips, Mark Phillips is double fives, Nikki Hoven, Betty Koziel, Mike Phelps, Tayler Stornetta, Patrick Lee Thompson turns four, Rachael Reynolds and Brandon Chamberlain is the big "4-0" next week. Happy, happy birthday to all of you!

Happy anniversary wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Stewart and Ron and Bobbie Leingang this coming week. Hope your special days are just that!

MOTHER'S DAY--I'm hoping to hear some more great "what I did on Mother's Day" stories in the next few days. For now, I know that Katrina Pedersen Freeman had a special day out with her daughter Paydn, as they went to Disneyland. Marian Vik had her kids with her in Longview and had dinner with them so she enjoyed her Mother's Day. Some moms, like Kelly Hammond, had to work but she got some pretty flowers and a box of candy from her boys. Abby and Sara Buennagel treated mom Sharon to breakfast in bed, so that was certainly a nice way to start the day. Joan Evenson wound up having dinner brought to her by her sister and her mother Wanda, so they shared Mother's Day evening together. Katie Sechler had an exciting Mother's Day in Yakima as she got to watch daughter Tessa, who was coached by her husband Pete, pull out two tough wins at the end of a three day regional BB tournament, to bring home the No #1 trophy. A great achievement and great way to end the day! Of course, I got all the BB news via the computer, so that made this grandma's day as well! I also got to sleep in and goof off for the first part of the day and talked to the kids later on; we'd had dinner out the night before and a great visit with fellow '67'er Dale Jacobson, so we had a fun evening out, as Dale is always a laugh a minute. Did you get treated extra special on Mother's Day? Give me a call and share your story!

THIS IS IT--Yes, this is the weekend for the Great White Tail Run around the refuge, so head to Skamokawa Vista Park by 8:30 a.m. and get yourself registered for this annual event;there are several categories to participate in. All the money raised will go to our local 4-H program. Call 795-3278 for more info.

SMOKY WATER FOLLIES GO ON--Thanks to Sandy Wirkkala, the Skamokawa Grangers will be putting on their third musical revue at the Skamokawa Grange Hall on June 25, 26 and 27. We were short a piano player, which is a real must in this type of musical, so we owe Sandy a huge debt of gratitude for coming forward and saving the show. If you are a piano player, we could always use another. Sharing your talents would still be appreciated. Call Sunrise Fletcher at 795-8770 if you'd like to do a number or two. If you're in the show, please check with Sunrise to get your songs nailed down, and the key they are in; that's most helpful.

GRANGE CONTESTS--We had some wonderful things turned in at the Skamokawa Grange last Saturday and many blue ribbons and several purple ribbons were awarded to those who were extra creative or crafty. It was nice to see that some of the folks in the area who were non-grange members, also turned in things. I was very pleased to see that Jonnie Knowles was awarded a purple ribbon for a framed poem she had written her daughters one year--very nice. I was happy to see a couple of purple ribbons come my way, as was Carol McClain, so it was a pretty good day for grangers and non-grangers alike.

THEFTS--Sadly, our Skamokawa Grange is missing an item that had been purchased so that the entire community could enjoy it: a commercial popcorn maker. Since having our "Free Movie nights," which came with free popcorn, the big popper seemed a perfect idea to have in order to serve a lot of people. Hubby Bill had been experimenting with different oils and salts and had just gotten the right combination to get that movie-style popcorn taste. Sadly, it was stolen last week. There is a reward for anyone who can provide information leading to the capture of the person or persons who broke in and took this machine. Call 795-3425. The thieves did not just hurt the grangers, but everyone who would come to the grange for movie nights or any other activity there. It's just a real shame.

Our grange was not the only building victimized. Someone has been stealing things up and down the valleys, so please keep your eyes open for anyone who may be acting suspiciously. Somebody has to know who these people are, so let's work together and stop them before anything else happens. If you notice things missing, please report it to the Sheriff's office. The more pieces of evidence they get and the more information they can add to this, the more likely these people will get caught.

HORSE GAMES--Next month the new arena at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds will be filled with horses as the Silver Buckle Series of horse games will begin June 19. We wish them a lot of success in this venture as it will be an ideal way to show off our new arena. The Skamokawa grangers will be providing sandwiches, muffins, fruit and other items for those in attendance, and if you'd like to help them out in the booth, feel free to show up and lend them a hand. You can also call Sheran Parker or Carol McClain and let them know, as they are the ladies in charge of the booth that day.

BREAKFAST/RODS AND REELS SHOW--If you'd like to support two causes at once, why not take the Skamokawa United Methodist Church folks up on a really great breakfast on June 5. From 7 to 11 a.m., they will be serving biscuits and gravy, sausage, scrambled egss and pancakes, along with beverages for just $6. The church will donate $1 of every breakfast to the Dollars for Scholars program, which is having the "Rods and Reels Rod Run" that day at the fairgrounds, grange and park areas. There will be lots of cars to see for the car buffs and lots of action at the prize tables and of course, the prize for the biggest sturgeon in the afternoon as well, not to mention the chicken and salmon BBQ!