Reunions and Finn Fest this weekend

CLOUDY BEGINNING--As this week began, we saw lots of clouds and many complained about not seeing the sun, but it really was perfect weather for outside work as it was dry, around 70 and it kept the "it's too hot outside" excuses away from those who were intent on getting some yardwork done. I thought we were going to have some sprinkles but we never did out here, so it was back to watering the plants. It seems weird to have to do that in an area that gets 100 inches of rain a year, but things are already as dry as dust and the ground is rock hard. I hear we will be seeing more sun as the week progresses, so get prepared to soak up those rays...safely of course!

GREAT TIME--The Bald Eagle Day festivities were a big hit again this year and I thought having the cloud cover in the morning hours was just perfect...kept the kids and animals from being turned into "red lobsters" and with the sun coming out around 1 p.m. and giving us a little more warmth, it was just right. I always enjoy meeting those who still get The Eagle or read it online, and say they enjoy my column. That is always a day brightener! That goes for Ray and Jane Poppe's daughter as well, as she stopped by to talk to me. She'd been visiting with Art Vik a little earlier and so we had a nice chat about his move back to Cathlamet and the recent loss of my Aunt Marian. I'd bumped into Kenny Bunn, whose grandparents were great friends of my grandparents back in the day, and his Mom was my second grade teacher. At every grange meeting and our "Follies," we thank Kenny for donating his Mom's piano to us, as without it, we'd really be lost...another great donation by a fellow WA-KI-HI graduate.

While many were having formal reunions last weekend, several members of the Class of '67 met up and had a good gab fest. It was great to see Judy (Lindwall), Linda (Holland), Sandra (Peterson) and Dale Jacobson all in one spot and we shared many laughs together. We even let a couple of 66'ers join us there as well, as sitting at our table were Gary and Vickie (Neely) Bergseng. Our classes had always been pretty close so it was great to yak with them as well. Strolling around town some of the group spotted other classmates, like Pam (Below) and David West, to name a couple, and so visiting amongst those who live here, and those who stopped by to see the festivities, was once again one of the main reasons I love events such as these.

A few years ago, our class held our 40th reunion at Sandra's home and were invited back for our 45th in 2012. Those of us who were there were thinking that sounded good to us--67'ers, what do you think?!

FAIR TIME--The Wahkiakum County Fair takes place for three days: August 19, 20 and 21. Many hands are needed to pull this fair off, so if you can work the gate, work at the grange food booth, help with the grounds work, etc., please give the Fair office a call at 795-3480. Don't forget to get those items ready to enter in the fair--the more you enter, the better the fair is for folks to enjoy.

Also, the "all school" Skamokawa class reunion at Vista Park will be held on Saturday, August 21st.It's a potluck affair that begins at 1 p.m. Gary Emery is taking charge of this event and you can call him at 360-200-5869 or email him at summervind79@hotmail.com for more information. They had reunion T-shirts for $18.95 and will donate some of that for the Dollars For Scholars scholarship program.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from July 22-28 are Stuart Bosch, Katlyn Rose Brown, Robert Roseberry, Sean Lindsey, John Buennagel, Joel Gaillard, Linda Wright, Kelsey and Ashley Hedges, Ruth Doumit, McKenna Longtain, Tanner Bergseng, Brian O'Connor, Molly Jorgesen, Randy Montgomery, Al McClain, Jerry DeBriae, Jr., Naomi Meyer, Leslie Horman, Jon Hauff, Carol Cooper, Suzet Parker, Mandy Knowles, 67'er Joanne (Tarabochia) Longtain, Jeff Lundborg, Natasha Montgomery, Chris Sauer, Kyler McKinley, Mike Anderson, Peggy (Mrs. Ralph) Pedersen, Paul Monroe Olson and Art Pedersen. Here's wishing all of you splendid birthday celebrations!

Those celebrating anniversarys this coming week are Janet and Rick Bryan, Mark and Patti Phillips, Andrew Emlen and wife Audrey, Levi and Becca Helms, Becky and Jerry Ledtke, Tim and Sharon Schmitz and Steve and Lori Finkas. Here's to happy celebrations to all!

THIS WEEKEND--It's the 10 year or "decade" reunion of the WA-KI-HI graduates from the 70's this weekend. We hope you've contacted Susan Kuhn and made arrangements to join in the fun at the Skamokawa Grange Hall Saturday night, July 24th. If you're just hearing about it, you can call for information, 795-3733 or show up that day with money in hand and get in on all the fun! Be prepared to eat, dance and sing--should be fun!

AUGUST 7--The Dog and Cat Vaccination Clinic will take place one more time before the fair starts, so circle August 7th on your calendar and bring your dog or cat down for Dr. Lisa Bartel of Naselle to check out and vaccinate from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There are different prices for the various vaccinations but none of them are over $16 and a wellness exam is actually free. There is a micro chip and lifetime registration available too, and it's $35. This event is sponsored by the Wahkiakum 4-H Clubs. If you are a senior and are in need of some assistance in taking care of these vet bills, there are sponsorships available. Call 360-484-7228 for more information.

GREAT TIME--David and Connie Shrum were in town last weekend with Dave's cousin Mickey and his wife, Judy from Kentucky. It was fun showing them around the area. It was their first time in Washington and we had to hit Long Beach and show them the Pacific Ocean. It was sunny but very windy, and they sure enjoyed the view. They thought Skamokawa was a neat little place--our Vista Park and river scenery was awesome they thought. Mickey and Judy travel in a big 75' truck and trailer rig which they set up for the drag races for concessions, as they follow their NHRA drag racer, Cruz Pedregon around the circuit. Next stop: Indianapolis, with their last stop in Las Vegas later in the year, so they sure do get around. We got to take a tour in the bus and boy, was it snazzy--very nice indeed. Mickey told us that with their awnings and other truck they set up, they require about a 150 foot wide spot; that's quite an area! It was great that they could come out to our home town, as we had been in their home town, Monticello, Kentucky a few years back--great country.

OVER THE HILL--Don't forget the Finnish American Folk Festival in Naselle this weekend, July 23 through 25. There will be music and food and all sorts of things, so with the sunshine promised for the weekend, they are bound to have a great turnout!

FOLLOWING WEEK--On July 31 the Silver Buckle Gaming Series will take place at the fairgrounds. I've mentioned this several times, so hopefully you've marked it on your calendar and plan on showing up to watch the horses compete. If you'd like to help out, be sure to let the fair office know. The more hands that are working, the lighter the load for everybody. Dont' forget that you can grab lunch at the grange fair booth while you're there, which helps support the Skamokawa Grange Hall.

WHILE YOU'RE HERE--If you're down this way, you might as well stop by Redmen Hall and check out their new exhibit entitled "Summer Focus." It begins this Saturday and features many talented artists, one of which is local, Mitzi Christensen, so do stop by; the hall is open from noon to four.

OUT OF THE PAST--In 1960 this week, the weather was dry, hot and just beautiful. However, all the dry weather and low humidity caused the fire danger in the woods to reach new highs and caused the woods to be closed down. A couple of fires had broken out already but were not caused by any logging operations but by careless campers and sparks from rail cars. Everyone was on alert to be very careful with any cigarettes or BBQ's. The Ralph Everests headed home on the train after visiting Grandma's sister, Jean Shane, in the hospital in Seattle earlier that week. Upon coming home, they attended the 50th wedding anniversary of Ike and Janie Ackers, a huge affair held on their lawn. Mid-week, it was off to Grace Kesterson's to have a jacket fitted for Grandma Elsie, as well as working at the museum. The Everests got word that son, George and family would be moving to California soon. At the end of the week, Grandma attended the shower of Karen (Anderson) Healy, another big affair.

In 1965, it was another hot week in Cathlamet with temperatures in the 90s in the evening hours...91 at 5:30 p.m. on July 23; up to 96 the next day. A water shortage was declared in town and all water used for bathing was being recycled to use to water plants, flush toilets, etc. The Kalama area was hit by a shortage of water as well. It was a big time in town that week as a street fair kick-off to the community fair was held on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and was sponsored by the fair queen committee to acquaint folks with the queen contestants. There were booths, and games and food and it eneded with a square dance on main street called by Phil LaCourseire, with a teenage dance held elsewhere. Carol Pedersen came home that same day after fishing in Kodiak, Alaska with husband, Krist during that time. The Ralph Everests had been staying at their home on Puget Island while they were away and came back to Cathlamet and their own home that week, which felt good to Grandma Elsie--no place like home. Ralph Pedersen had a good fishing season in Bristol Bay that year, so that was good news. Leon Healy was happy to send word that the strike up north were he was fishing was settled....he was the engineer on the "Baluga" a tender up there. Maren Tholo and Viola Kendall were welcomed as was a visit by Mrs. Burgough upon returning home. Grandma Elsie learned that Jack and Emily Worthington were headed to Oklahoma that week.

All this according to the diaries of Elsie May (Walker) Everest.