Town center hopes to reopen in April

COLD WEEKEND--I don't know how cold it was at your house on Sunday morning but it read 20 degrees at my house. By the time you read this, clouds will have moved in and snow could be falling...ugh! As the white hills around us can attest to, the snowfall has been very close.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from February 24-March 2 are Allyx McKinley, Wyatt Parker, Darrin Down, Whitney Kuller, Ursula Jorgesen, Judy Garrison, Becky Hoven, Felicitie Knight, Krystal Ellison, Sally Nollan, Judy Pedersen and 67'er: Kathy Bond Peek.Here's hoping your birthdays are joyous and fun!

Happy Anniversary wishes this week go to Terry and Mary Heagy, Kevin and Sandy Wirkkala, and my new neighbors, Nick and Becky Keithley.

SURPRISE--When you take a trip to visit your mom, it's always nice, but when you get there and your mom has pulled off a surprise bridal shower for you, it's super nice! That's what happened last weekend when Samantha Pedersen went to visit her Mom and was totally blind-sided by friends and family. She had an amazing time thanks to her mom and sisters and she also had to give thanks to her hubby, Adam, who was in on the big surprise! Adam is the son of WA-KI-HI graduate Mark Pedersen of Vancouver and grandson of Ralph and Peggy Pedersen of Cathlamet.

SENDING SYMPATHY--Lesley Horman recently lost her brother Danny after a long battle and we want to send our deepest condolences to her and the rest of her family. I have not heard of dates or time of a service for him; may he rest in peace. We also want to send sympathy to the daughters of Polly Britton and their families. Polly had lived on Puget Island for many years and had been a good friend of my cousin as well. A celebration of life gathering was held February 12.

FEEL BETTER--We want to send some feel better soon wishes to Nicole, Kelly, Angela, Sean, Becky and all the others who are feeling bum for one reason or another as it seems a rash of either colds or back problems are plaguing the folks I know lately. Take care everybody.

THIS COMING MONDAY--The Skamokawa Grangers will hold their regular meeting at the grange hall on February 28 at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to the public so feel free to stop by!

As you can see by the date of this meeting, we are at the end of yet another month. I'm not sure where this one went, but time is definitely sailing by once again! Meeting dates for the grangers next month are March 14 and 28, at 7 p.m. Meetings can be cancelled due to illness or weather so if in doubt about a meeting, feel free to give me a call.

STILL SOME TICKETS--Dale Rose said he still has some tickets left for the crab and oyster feed in Rosburg on March 5. This feed is put on by the American Legion, Deep River Post, who do a lot of good work for our local folks and veterans. If you like to eat good food, and you want to dance the chicken dance with your kids and grandkids and maybe win a great prize during their raffle drawings, then give Dale Rose a call and see if he's still got those tickets: 360-465-2234.

The crab feed on Puget Island is the following week and they have more than one seating, so call the Wahkiakum Chamber at 795-6999 for information on space available for your group at the Norse Hall.

SOLD OUT--It was great to see the Willapa Hills benefit concert for the Pioneer Church Association was sold out last Saturday and everyone was exclaiming over the great music and the fact that we have so many talented performers in our area and I couldn't agree more!

I understand that the group will be perform once again in Cathlamet on March 13 at St. James Episcopal Church, 2:30 p.m., to benefit St. James Family Center.

LOCAL DOES GOOD--Valle Ledtke traveled to Nampa, Idaho last weekend with her Western Washington University team to compete in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Indoor Track and Field Championships. Valle ran the 400 meter in 59.54 seconds; her time placed her 10th in the finals and was a new personal record for her. Two hours later she ran the 4x400 meter relay with her team and they came in third in the event with a time of 3.56.13. Valle ran her part of the relay in 59.20 which was another personal record for her. Needless to say, her parents, Becky and Jerry Ledtke, are very proud of their daughter. Good job Valle!

OPENING SOON-I was told that the Skamokawa Town Center will try to reopen by April and we are anxiously waiting for that to happen. I know the campers at Vista Park will definitely be happy to see the store reopen. The work on the buildings has been extensive and if you haven't been down this way, you ought to stop in and see what's going on. The cafe part is now totally gone and the building that was once the office will once again house the post office. With new everything in the rooms and condos, it will be a wonderful place to invite friends and family members to stay in. We will be curious to see how this all turns out and we wish the Don Jesters much success in this new venture.

VISTA PARK--You will soon see flyers about "Vendors and Exhbibitors" wanted for the upcoming festivities at Skamokawa Vista Park on July 30, but I am happy to say, we've already got a nice list of people who have chosen to participate. Margaret Strueby and her genealogical group will be there, as will the FFA boys, who will be flipping burgers, so we'll be anxious to hear who's ready to sign up next as this Vista Market takes shape. The Skamokawa Grange plans on being there with a beautiful handmade coffee table donated by John Gustafson, which you can buy tickets for. That day, the grange will give away a prize an hour, so let's see who's lucky come July! Remember, locals have until March 31 to get first dibs at reserving a spot; food vendors are being limited so that no duplication will take place. The next meeting about this event is not until April 6 at 1 p.m. at the Port office/Vista Park office, but feel free to call Kayrene Gilbertsen at 849-4421 for more information.

FARMING AND GARDENING--If you have ever wanted to learn how to grow your own food, or learn how to start your own small farm or any other inquiries in that mind set, then you'll have a chance to attend a Food and Farm Summit on March 19, at J.A. Wendt Elementary School in Cathlamet. This event lasts from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you register early, by March 15, the cost is $25 per person but it will be $30 for those that register after that. This seventh annual summit is brought to you by the Wakiakum Food and Farm Network and the Wahkiakum Extension Office and Master Gardeners. Special speaker for this event is Ed Hume, whom you may have seen on his weekly television show. Vern Nelson will talk about planting an edible landscape, Charles Benbrook and Beverly Klock will talk about small farms and making them work.

SAD DAY--We were saddened to hear of the tragic death of our neighbor's bull mastiff, allegedly at the hands of a burglar. This gentle giant's death was just so heart wrenching and as we all know, our pets are like a part of our family, and so their deaths can be a great loss to all who love them. Our condolences to Harley over the loss of his loyal companion, Bogey. I have heard from many folks this week concerning this cruel death and while they don't know my neighbor or had never seen the dog, they all want to offer their condolences, so thanks to all of you for contacting me and offering Harley their sincerest sympathies as well.

PIANIST PERFORMS--Internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Jeffrey Jacob will perform at the Liberty Theater on March 12. Mr. Jacob is described by the Warsaw Music Journal as one of the greatest performers of 20th century music. He is lauded by The Washington Post for his immense artistry, and so if you love this kind of music, he sounds like a real treat to have in our Northwest area. The concert is a benefit for the Liberty Theater with ticket prices ranging from $15 to $20. Jeffrey Jacobs' performance is being sponsored by The Cannery Pier Hotel in Astoria. To order your tickets, call the Liberty Theater at 1-503-325-5920 at Extension 55 or you can check out the info on-line.