Grange to get security system after 60 years

WET--It's hard to believe that we're at the end of another month and well into Spring, but we are still experiencing plenty of rain. We got a bit of a break on the first day of this work week but as Tuesday morning rolled around, it was pouring once again. The forecast was not looking too great, so we can only hope that a batch of wind shows up and blows these rain clouds elsewhere, as this soggy and nippy weather is sure getting old!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 27-June 2 are Don Anderson, 67'er Linda Toste, Mary Ann Pedersen, Arnie Good, Mike Johnson, Nancy Corbin, Penny Bond, Wesley McClain, Serene Snow, Jeanne Paulsen, Christina Lindsey, Stephanie Prestegard, Amy Knowles, Denise Bond, Tim Rushing, Barbi Bain, Benjamin McClain, Gale Luthi, Justin Lindsey, Jill Havens, Pearl Cortay, Mason Kennedy Pittman turns one year old next Wednesday and two of my kids are celebrating their special days: double 4's for Lisa Sechler and 35 for Brian Good. Happy days everyone!

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Bill and Linda Mahitka, Robert and Karla Kyle and 67'er Sharon Stout Servis and her husband BJ are celebrating 43 years together. May your special days bring you joy and memories to last a lifetime.

THIS SATURDAY--Why not head to Deep River and join the American Legion Deep River Post #111 members for a tasty breakfast for just $5 on May 29. By the way, that's the price for adults but if you bring a child, you can fill them up for just $3! It's all you can eat pancakes with side dishes as well. This is a great deal and a great way to help out an organization that does a lot of good works for our community. If heading from this area on the east side of KM, to Deep River on the west side, take a right just before the Deep River Bridge and then a left at the "Y" and you can't miss the Legion Hall on the right. The food will be served from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

ONCE AGAIN--Somebody tried to get into the Skamokawa Grange Hall again this week and we are happy to report that they did not get in this time. We find it very disheartening after all these years of no problems, that we find ourselves being a victim twice in one month. Even worse is the fact that we are working very hard to make this a place where the community can enjoy a free movie, a fair dance, a wine tasting and auction or hold private functions, like wedding receptions or reunions. With just a lot of volunteer hours, we certainly don't need someone causing more damage and more work for our members. If you have any knowledge as to who could be involved in this latest attempt, please give the Sheriff's office a call. Sadly, money that could be spent on improving the building will probably have to go into a security system, which after 60 some years without one, seems rather sad.

NOT LONG NOW--The Wahkiakum Dollars for Scholars organization will host their dual event June 5 and we'll be looking forward to seeing all those hot rods roll into town and register at the Skamokawa Grange Hall, as they head into the park; always an awesome sight! Later on, the folks who are trying to catch a sturgeon will be pulling in with their fish and trying to win a prize. The folks in charge of the BBQ will be busy cooking salmon so it will be a full day for all of those involved. This is a major fundraiser for our Cathlamet and Naselle kids, as the money raised goes for scholarships. The free trout pond will be there for the kids to enjoy and there will be music and prizes. Let's all pray these rain clouds get emptied out and we enjoy another sunshiny day for the Car Show and Sturgeon Derby: The "Rods and Reels Rod Run!" Don't miss it!

MOVED--The Helping Hand Food Bank is no longer housed at the T-Building at the Fairgrounds in Skamokawa, but has moved back to Cathlamet. It is now at the end of Broadway Street at the old River Rat Tap tavern, so the once vacant building will be put to use and that's good to see. They are open on Tuesdays as they were before.

HORSES GALORE--The Wahkiakum Fairgrounds new arena will see some great horse action soon, as the Silver Buckle Gaming Series will start June 19, with two more horse game events taking place this summer. For all who love horses and love competing with your horse, this is the time to get involved, and for those who like to watch these magnificent animals, it's time to come and cheer on your favorite rider. This is a new event and one which we hope continues to draw a lot of interest and put our new arena to good use. The Skamokawa Grangers will provide a light meal of sandwiches, strawberry shortcake and a few other things, so we hope you'll support them at this event. If you'd like to give the ladies a hand at serving the sandwiches, give Sheran Parker or Carol McClain a call. For more information about the event, call the fairgrounds at 795-3480.

STRAWBERRY SALE--The Wahkiakum Lion's Club is holding their annual strawberry sale and they are taking orders now, until June 12. These are locally grown, fresh, clean and sliced strawberries with no sugar added. They come in buckets of two sizes: the 28lb Economy size for $46 or the smaller, 14lb size for $26. All orders must be paid for in advance and be picked up on June 19, at either the Wahkiakum High School or the Skamokawa Grange Parking lot from 10 a.m.to noon that day; your choice when you order. You can call Carol McClain at 795-3337 to order them or email Susan Kuhn at sjmcql@yahoo.com for an order form. All monies raised will go to sight conservation, scholarships and eye exams.

GET WELL--We want to send get well wishes to a couple of guys in our area who have been feeling a bit rough lately and that's Mike Linn and Mac Johnson. Over the hill, we want to wish Bob Paul a steady recovery as well. Take care guys and we hope you get back to feeling 100 percent real soon!

NICE SURPRISE--One day there was a knock on my door and to my surprise, there was Dave Henderson from Grays River, with a piece of paper in his hand. It wasn't "just" a piece of paper though, as he and Colleen had stopped by the Grays River Cafe and gotten a gift certificate and presented it to Bill and I. Wow, what a great surprise and how very nice of them! I went back East recently and so this gift certificate came in very handy for my "non-cooking" husband. Of course, upon coming home it meant only one thing. It was back to the GR Cafe for my turn at a great dinner! Joining us that evening were David and Connie Shrum, and we all "oohed and ahhed" over the homemade three-berry pie and the pecan pie, and with the place filling to the brim, we were glad we got there when we did. So, thanks for the nice surprise Dave and Colleen; it had a terrific domino effect, which we all enjoyed!

TICKETS SOON--The tickets for the upcoming "Smoky Water Follies" will soon be coming out, so watch for those. Tickets are still just $10 and for a great musical show like this, that's a bargain. This is one of two major fund raisers that the Skamokawa Grange holds, so we hope you'll come and enjoy an hour and a half of fun with us and help support our efforts to improve the hall as well. I just learned that we'll be adding Jennifer Hanigan to our group of entertainers, along with Jordyn Wirkkala, Marissa Washington, Jon Peterson and Andrew Emlen, just to name a few. So mark June 25-27 down now; it's just a month away! Many thanks to Adele Swift, our wonderful director/performer and non-granger, who is working many, many volunteer hours to help the Skamokawa Grange.

KAYAK CENTER--If you're a county resident, you can try your hand at taking a kayak out for spin from our Skamokawa Paddle Center, as you get a 15 percent discount. Mark Whittaker tells me the center will be open this week, Friday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and in June, it will be Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but special appointments can be made.