Candidates forum on September 27

WET ONE--As I begin this column this Tuesday morning, it is mighty wet here in West Valley. This took me by surprise after such a beautiful Monday evening which seemed to hold promise of another nice day. The brown yard out front is probably enjoying a drink about now and I won't feel compelled to wash my car or do any yardwork, a win, win for me! I hear we are supposed to experience some clearing later in the day, so for all you folks who need to finish up those outside chores, there's still some hope on the horizon.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from September 16-22 are Frank Bosch, Dory Hicks, Tracy Carroll, Jim Mendoza, Linda Roseberry, Sam Longtain, Monte Longtain, George Bates, Korina Hoven, Christine Bigler, Michelle Smith, Jim Spitzer, Penny Paulsen, Ray Peek, Bob Ohrberg, George Wilde, Bruce Holland, David L. Vik, Jay Mace, Ty Norris, Susan Peterson Shook, Adam Pedersen and Veryl Chamberlain. May you all have the happiest birthdays ever!

Happy Anniversary wishes this week to Dan and Carla Keilwitz, Ray and Judy Danielsen, Teed and JoAnn Prestegard, the Oliver Bacons and the Philip Viks. Enjoy your special days everyone!

SERVICES--There will be graveside services for Jim Rainey this coming Sunday at the Grays River Cemetery at noon, and then a potluck gathering at the Grays River Grange following the service, so all those who knew Jim are welcome to come and share their grief in his passing, as well as to share the wonderful memories they had of him.

COMING UP--The Skamokawa Grange #425 will host a Candidates Forum on September 27 at 7 p.m. All candidates are welcome to come and the public is invited to use this time to get up close and personal with those running and ask your candidates those tough questions face to face. The grangers hold public meetings like these as a service to the community so we hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity to listen and learn more about the issues at hand.

AVAILABLE--If you'd like to rent the Skamokawa Grange Hall for your upcoming event, birthday party, anniversary party, etc., it is available, so please contact Jessica Fletcher, at 795-8770 or Kitty Speranza at 795-0585 who will get you all information and costs.

INVITATION--Come and meet Port 2 Director, Bob Robinson and his wife and staff, at Skamokawa Vista Park on September 21 between 6 and 7:30 p.m. A BBQ will take place on the upper level covered area and if you'd like to take part in that, call 795-8605 so they know how much food to fix. With the park nearing it's 30th birthday, many "facelifts" are in the works. Come and see what's going on and hear what the future brings.

EXHIBITORS--What do Pat Beyer, Marilyn Conway, Charlene Damitio, Margo Henry, Tom and Cora Irving, Audry Lynch, Connie Martin, Linda Norton, Jean Perry, Michele Smith, Crystal Stanley, Jeanie Van Horn, Gaylene Johnson, Audrey Hedman, Marsha LaFarge, Wanda Rockford, Libby Whitney, Marsha Woody and Kristin Sykes David have in common? They are all members of the "River City Strippers, "a group of awesome quilters! They are celebrating their 10th anniversary together by holding an exhibition at Redmen Hall which is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. This exhibit will be on display until October 24. Many works will be for sale, so come and pick out your favorite and go home with a homemade work of art today!

SPECIAL DEALS--In Cathlamet, Howie's Corner has some new specials and if you'd like to take advantage of their "deals," go to their new website and learn the "key word" and you'll be able to take advantage of them; no more printed coupons to deal with! So, check out http://www.howiescoffeehouse.com.

NEW MANAGER, GRAND OPENING--Skyline Golf Course is under new management and new manager, Kuldip Vaid, will have a grand opening this Sunday evening at 5 p.m. From what I gathered, RSVP's were in order and the date already passed, but I'm betting if you gave them a quick call at 818-939-9010 or contact Pamela Potts at pamela@pamelapottsevents.com you may still be able to attend a night of fun, which includes wines and food and dancing, so check it out and welcome the new beginning of this long time jewel of a golf course in our area.

FOOTBALL ACTION--The Mule Varsity team will play Winlock at home tomorrow night September 17, the JV team will play in Winlock on September 20, while the Warriors will be playing tonight, (Thursday) at home against Morton/White Pass at 6 p.m. Go Mules and Warriors! It wouldn't hurt to check with the school before heading to away games as there can be changes in the schedule.

LOTS OF FOOTBALL--I got to take in a lot of football this past week as I headed to Seattle and watched grandsons, Blake and Luke Sechler play some ball for their separate schools. This was Blake's second game and it was Luke's first. Unfortunately, while they played well individually, their teams lost. I got back in time to watch grandson, Austin Good play against Morton/White Pass, and sadly, they lost as well, but with a small group of players and some not feeling their best, it may have been a bit much for them.

GREAT VISIT--While I was in Seattle last week visiting son Pete and the rest of the Sechler bunch, I was able to visit my cousin, Dave Pedersen, son of Holger Pedersen...the last living son of Jonas Pedersen, who was my grandfather. Dave had lived back East for many years and has been commuting back and forth before settling back here on the West coast, so we had a lot of catching up to do. It was great to enjoy lunch with Dave and his wife, Ulana, and then afterwards, I got to tour the house that I had not been in since I was a little girl and to see all the old photos he's acquired of our family members from, and in Norway, and it was great to hear the family history/stories from his perspective. I'm looking forward to another long gab session with him. I also got to learn how to drive in another part of Seattle...a new and exciting venture for this country girl!

I also had a chance to meet with fellow grangers, Mike and Jane Rees. That was very nice; usually my trips up North are pretty short and I can't get a lot of visiting time in with others I know there, so this longer stay made that possible and we had a great evening out downtown.

When you ask 10 year olds where they want to go to eat after a football game, you're pretty sure they're going to say "McDonalds" or a pizza place or some other fast food joint, so after a long day watching football and all of us starving, I was totally unprepared for the response I heard: "Let's have sushi. Yeah, I love eel." What? I am thinking that I need to have my hearing checked, but no, that's what they said! So, the two little guys, who obviously have a much more refined palate than I do, got their wish, while Grandma here was having no part of that menu and headed for the more traditional, fish and chips meal available across the street! Kids, they say the darnedest things!

PLAY IN ASTORIA--The Astor Street Opry Company (ASOC) is bringing back "Topsey Turvey Shanghaied" to Astoria on September 23 - 25. If you want to enjoy this hilarious play, where the guys play the leads in the girls roles and vice versa, then you've only got a limited amount of time to see it. From those who have seen it, they say it's a real riot. The ASOC Playhouse is located at 129 West Bond Street in Uniontown, Astoria. You can buy tickets at the door beginning at 6 p.m., show time is at 7 p.m. For more information on tickets call: 503-325-6104.

ALSO GOING ON--The ASOC is also having a "One Acts and Script writing" competition, so for those budding writers, this could be your chance to have your winning ideas produced at the New Works Festival in February of 2011. Deadline for this competition is November 1, with the winner chosen by Dec. 1. For complete rules and regulations, contact Anne MacGregor 503-338-3826. Tthere are some various fees involved for submitting various works.