Last shopping days before Christmas

WET ENOUGH?--Holy cow, did we have some rain last weekend or what? Not to mention before and after the weekend! Then of course, there was the wind, which was howling enough through West Valley to wake me up and it sounded like a freight train was coming through the back of the house--not good! While my field is a lake, my road is above water, at least as I begin to write this, so that's a good thing. It sure beats being trapped at home due to two feet of water over the road, which has happened multiple times before. In Grays River, we saw several roads under water and people making their way through the deep water. It's not only a potential danger but it's also hard on vehicles; make sure you have your car checked as brakes, seals and bearings, etc. can be damaged by going through a lot of water.

As the rain came down heavy and visibility was poor, I couldn't believe the number of people who were driving around with no lights on. A car traveling in this foggy, gloomy, wet weather is practically invisible to other drivers, so the best way to be seen, is to turn on one's lights.

VARIED TEMPS--I heard from my cousin Karla in California and she said it was 80 degrees at her house, while former resident and 66'er, Phil Settle, said it was another ho-hum 90 degree day in LA. Ah, poor folks are cooking down there! However, other family members back East, like Samantha Pedersen thought the snow that was falling was very pretty and fitting for Christmas. Gwen Good Ronninghaug in Norway said they were experiencing snow, which was a big change from the Canary Islands where they had spent a couple of weeks on a wonderful sunny vacation--big change from sun to snow! My friend Clara sent me a great picture from Yakima where it was looking mighty white with about eight inches of snow on the ground at her house. Hope she keeps it over there!

SPECIAL DAYS-- Those celebrating birthdays from December 16-22 are Abby Buennagel, Ruth Linquist, Erik Anderson, Melanie Quigley, Lori Miller, Jerry Knowles, Angel Hall, Kristen Souvenir, Jimmie Lou Cleveland, John Lindsey, Warren Brown, Alysha Twiet, Gwen Gorley, Christina Helms, Barbara Moore Johnson, Sherry Pedersen Stewart, Ron Clement and 67'ers: Elaine Munson Rolf and Sharon Stout Servis. Here's to wonderful memories on your special days.

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are David and Jaimie Kincaid and Roger and JoAnn Reed. Here's to a fanastic anniversary celebration to you!

LOST CRITTERS--We hope that while you're out on either the west or east ends of the county, that you will keep your eyes open for a couple of lost animals. Jeanne and Mickey Paulsen had an accident on the west side of KM about MP 14 and have not seen their Siamese cat since. He just so happens to be named Catt. Catt is a neutered male and while he's a Siamese mix, he looks very much Siamese and is a hefty 10 pounds, although after being on his own for a bit, he may be slightly slimmer now. Catt's distinguishing feature is that his "fangs" on his lower jaw come up and out over his mouth, almost to his nose, so, he is quite unique and should be easy to spot. Animals have a way of trying to "go home" so while this cat may still be in the Grays River/Rosburg area, it could be coming this way as he tries to get back out to the Elochoman Valley where he lives, so please keep an eye out for this poor, scared kitty Catt. If spotted, call the Paulsens at 795-3670. Their dog Abby, really misses his friend, Catt.

Also, on the east side of KM, near what many of us called "Munson Hill" in the area west of the passing lanes before dropping down into County Line, there is a small brown Pug mix dog named "Argus" who is lost.He's just 14 pounds and he's a real cutie. He belongs to Jaime Cooley and while the little dog was being babysat at her dad's place at 1506 East SR 4, he took off. He is tagged with an Oregon tag and he's also chipped, so if you find this little guy, won't you please see to it that he gets back to his mom. She really misses him. I'm guessing you could keep watch between Flandersville and the county line. Hopefully the little guy won't be trying to make it home to Portland! If you find the dog, you can contact Jaime at jaimecooley@gmail.com or call 503-869-1266.

GOOD TIME--The free spaghetti dinner at the Skamokawa Grange Hall was quite well attended last Saturday, given the miserable weather conditions and the other events on the same day, so we really appreciate the approximately 75 people who showed up to dine with us. Andrew Emlen was kind enough to entertain us with his guitar and it wasn't long before he was joined by several grown up singers and then, a whole group of kids--super delightful! When Andrew stopped to grab a bite to eat, Sheran Parker took over at the piano and the kids continued to sing. We loved it!

Several gifts were given away but the big prize of the hand-blown glass orbs made by Treasure Collupy, nestled in the holiday basket put together by Michelle Collupy, was won by Sherry Stewart--congrats to her! Other winners of prizes donated by Bill and Kay Chamberlain were Susan Kuhn, Judy Garrison, Kay Walters, Chuck Parker and Mike Linn. The Skamokawa Grangers and the Skamokawa Fire Dept. want to thank the Duck Inn, Cathlamet Pharmacy and Cathlamet Market with their donations to help make this dinner possible. It goes without saying, that many thanks go to those who cooked (Jessica Fletcher & Sharon Schmitz) and baked (bread by Don and Kitty Speranza) for this event, as well as served and cleaned up by our grangers and fire fighters. It's a lot of work and much appreciated by everyone.

OVER THE HILL--Just wanted to mention that the Grays River Cafe will be taking a little holiday break and will be closed from December 20-29.

STILL TIME--You don't have a lot of time left but you can still manage to get some cards up to the Columbia View Care Center, about 35 would do the trick..

LAST WEEKEND--Don't forget to head to Redmen Hall this weekend as this is it before Christmas. There are many wonderful gifts made by our local artisans, so I hope you'll do a little local shopping and support our local folks in their business endeavors and help Redmen Hall and the FOS as well. The Schmitz family, who operate the Skamokawa Creek Enterprises, has some wonderful wooden spoons and cutting boards for sale. From books to cards, to blown glass and everything in between, it's easy to shop and buy local!

QUICK RECIPE--I was asked if I couldn't put a recipe in my column for a quick and easy cheesecake. I said I'd give it a try, so here goes--It's three steps: First, mix with electric mixer: Two eight ounce packages of softened cream cheese with a half cup of sugar and a half teaspoon of vanilla until well blended and then add two eggs and mix until blended. Second: Pour mixture into graham cracker crust. Three: Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Let cool and enjoy with your favorite topping. Quick and easy, that's how we like it!

Don't even want to turn on the oven? Well then, mix one eight ounce package of softened cream cheese with one third cup sugar and gently fold in one eight ounce tub of Coolwhip and spoon into graham cracker crust. Chill at least three hours.

OUT OF THE PAST--Back in 1945 this same week, the weather was wet and cold with a strong East wind blowing. The Everest house was brimming when the Pocahontas members held their Christmas party there. Attending were: Mrs. Marie Larson, Mrs. Jane Akers, Mrs. Mary Dull, Mrs. Mary Ann Risk, Mrs. Ellen Irving, Mrs. Mathilda Hansen, Mrs. Ruth Hanigan, Mrs. Bertha Shuster, Mrs. Katie Lund, Mrs. Elizabeth Hendrix, Mrs. Nevada Shamley, Mrs. Odessa Osborne and hostess, Elsie Everest. Nevada Shamley played Santa for the gift exchange and they also gave special gifts to the two December birthday gals, Katie Lund and Bertha Shuster. Grandma had made a home-made angel food cake with real whipped cream and whipped jello, along with cookies, candy, nuts and fruit. On December 19, "Deb" and Grace Pedersen Moore welcomed a baby girl into their home. They named her Barbara Anne. The Kelso Packing Co. and the Smith Bakery burned down in Kelso that week. Mrs. Witham was knocked down by a dog and hurt quite badly on December 22. An ad in the local paper showed a "harried" telephone operator, which suggested that you ask your friends and acquaintances to only make necessary long distance calls during the holiday season. Wow, how times have changed!