Get ready, the snow is coming soon

WEATHER--Can you say nippy? We started this week with a light layer of snow in West Valley and all the hills around me are quite white, so in spite of the warming trend we had with some rain showers that quickly melted the snow in my yard, it was still white in the hills. On Monday evening, it was a very brisk 24 degrees, so my water was dripping and I was thinking, "well, if it starts to snow, it will definitely stick--ugh!" Before sending this in on Tuesday morning, it has the "snow look" in the sky. The temperature has risen, and the wind is blowing, so I'll keep watch on the sky and wait for the first snowflakes to fall and hope they don't accumulate too fast!

CORRECTION--I want to get a correction noted right away pertaining to the "Old Time Loggers Reunion" coming up on January 29. The time for the event at the Appelo Archives Center is from Noon until 4 p.m. Please correct your calendars to state noon to 4 p.m. on January 29 for a good time for all you loggers and non-loggers alike. This will be a fun time honoring truck driver, Howard Nelson, as he turns 80, with story telling and picture taking, which will then be made into a book. For more information, call Karen Bertroch at 360-484-7103.

ALSO--Have you sent in your "just five" bucks to the Museum yet? Don't delay; send it today. It's really something that the museum could use, and if you can, why not place an order for a brick with your name on it or someone else in the family in their memory? While the first batch of bricks took a long time to be returned, they can now be back in around a month. You don't have to leave the bricks at the museum for their walk, you can take them home to put in your own garden and have your own special spot for a loved one, or even your pet, so give Kari Kandoll, 849-4353 or Judy Brawn, 849-4452 a call and they'll get that all worked out for you.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from January 13-19 are Bill Mahitka, Kara McNally, Vanessa McClain, Russ Durrah, Frank Strueby, Roy LaBerge, Jerod Moore, Rick Nelson, Kortnee Vivian, Brittney Robbins, Beryl Curtis, Trystan Mendez, Brenda Bonny Faber, Teresa Carroll, Bruce McClain, 67'er Don Marsyla, Bernice Ellison Tover, Holly Pedersen Norton and Shane Pedersen. Belated birthday wishes go to 67'er Ed Bussone, whose birthday I over-looked last week. Happy Anniversary wishes go to Gary and Vickie Bergseng, Bob and Patty Ohrberg and Dale and Margaret Strueby. Here's to fantastic celebrations for all of your birthdays and anniversaries.

THE CATT--Jeanne Paulsen wanted to let everybody know that after five weeks, their precious cat, named Catt, was home safe and sound. After their accident in Grays River, the poor cat was nowhere to be found and the worst was feared. However, soon the Dale Roses and Gene Strong said they spotted the cat and were feeding it, but it was just too skittish to be caught. With the help of Dave Hicks and his life traps, the cat was finally contained! Even though the news came on a very frosty night on KM, Jeanne headed over the hill and got her precious bundle who wasted no time in snuggling up with Mickey and enjoying being home! That was great news and I'm happy to pass it along!!

GOOD NEWS/GET WELL--It was great to hear that former Cathlamet resident Carl Linquist was out of the hospital and doing quite well. Others on the list of "hope you feel better soon" would be Anna York and Kelly Heiner, and all those who are dealing with the sniffles and runny noses, of which there seem to be plenty.

GREAT GAME--I don't think there were too many Washingtonians who were unhappy with the outcome of the football game last weekend between the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints; shocked maybe, but not unhappy! Wow, what a game and who do you think got to go to that game? Not me, but former resident and reporter for The Eagle, Sunny Manary did with her hubby, Doug. Nothing like a good, and surprising, win to make the trip to Qwest Field worth it all!

MULES--The Wahkiakum Mules beat Morton/White Pass last Friday. Good job Mules and here's to some great games coming up! They will have had an away game last night (Wednesday) and there will be three home games in a row starting this Friday against Toutle Lake, and then Winlock on Tuesday and against Adna next Thursday. Good luck Mules!

We have to give these athletes a real pat on the back for not only having to practice and play their sport so often, but also keep their grades up to be on the team. It's a lot of work; kudos to those that take up the challenge!

SKAMOKAWA TOWN CENTER--Many of us knew that a sale was in the works for the Skamokawa Town Center and several folks had asked me why I hadn't said something, and I had to tell them, "I don't want to jinx it!" After having the store gone and things looking pretty glum, I was delighted to hear that a buyer was in the works. Things are already improving. A new walkway in front of the post office/store front is in place and the maintenance person is cleaning up this and fixing that, and it's looking better already. We understand that there will once again be a store and that is great news. There are only pluses for our area as this building/buildings, come back to life. We thank Don Jester for making our Town Center truly become the center of our little town once again! Once it gets up and running, we hope you'll spread the news and support his store. Let folks know we've got another place to stay during their summer vacation, complete with an awesome river view! Welcome to the neighborhood, Jester family!

DIDN'T HAPPEN--The first meeting of the year for the Skamokawa Grangers did not take place as planned as word of "no heat available" came to light. If all goes well, the heat will be up and running again by our next meeting, January 24.

If you are ever in doubt about a meeting or want to know more about the grange or would like to join, please give me a call; I'm in the book!

GREAT SURPRISE--I got an email from Becky Ledtke that said someone had purchased tickets for Bill and I for the Valentine Diamond Dinner being held by the fair board on February 12 at the Skamokawa Grange! Wow, that was so great and such an unexpected surprise! Thank you, Vail, from the bottom of my heart; you renewed my spirits when I needed it the most!

VALENTINE DINNER--Speaking of the Valentine Diamond Dinner, you too can make somebody happy, even if it's yourself! For just $25 you can buy a ticket for the "Valentine Diamond Dinner"so named because you will have the chance to win the diamond necklace that is being raffled off. You get one free raffle ticket with the purchase of your dinner and you can buy extras for $1. Only those purchasing a dinner are eligible for these fabulous drawings, so come to the Skamokawa Grange Hall and enjoy a delicious filet mignon steak with all the fixings and enjoy some great entertainment and a fun evening. It's a great way to celebrate Valentine's Day and to support the fair!

SAD TIMES--We have lost several long time residents of our community recently and it certainly has saddened us. Marie Didricksen is now gone at the age of 89, and we offer our deepest sympathies to her family. I can remember her clearly from the old "Spar" days, where we kids hung out and listened to the mini juke boxes in our booths and slurped up the best Green River milkshakes anywhere. On game day, our WHS cheerleaders would cheer in the middle of the street in front of the "Spar" as part of the pep rally, before heading inside and sharing burgers and fries with their friends and lifting those big glass plate covers that held great big nickel candy bars and tons of penny candy. Those were the days!

We also offer our condolences to the family of Arlene Lawson, who also left us at the age of 89. Her husband, Jack, was our bus driver for many years and I always enjoyed going to their house on Halloween as they gave away great treats. It's tough to lose a mom. Jonnie is especially in my thoughts at this time.

After a tragic, accidental fire, the Grasseth family has lost their wonderful patriarch, Leroy, whom everyone knew as just a wonderful, smiley, helpful guy and who will be sorely missed by all his friends, family and his community. His services will be held at the Norse Hall this Saturday. Our deepest sympathies are extended to his entire family during this extremely difficult time.