Saturday Meeting for Grange Follies

SAME THING--I think saying "it's raining...again...still" is getting pretty monotonous, as we seem to start a lot of our weeks that way and end them like that as well--all wet! However, they say by the time you read this we'll have had some sunshine and warmth and it couldn't come any too soon to suit most of us. For the folks who have been to Hawaii lately, I can't tell you how jealous I am to see all those great sunny, blue sky pictures and hear about all those wonderful days on the beach. It's got to be my turn pretty soon!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from March 31-April 6 are Linda McClain, Mike Carroll, Vaal Gribskov, Dana McClain, Kylie Thacker, Bob Brons, Crystal Davis, Kylie Moore, Patti Phillips, Judy Wilde, Charles Buennagel, Janet Bryan, Whitley Wirkkkala, Marissa Longtain, Tim Parker, Michaela Phillips, Debbie Cutbirth, Karen Bell, Mikayla Bell, Nathan Pedersen, Jeremy Pedersen, Ralph Pedersen and Pat Ballard. Belated birthday wishes to Jean Bussone who was 91 at the beginning of the week.

Those celebrating their anniversaries this week are: Mr. and Mrs. Mike Phelan, Mr. and Mrs. Don Wages, Mr. and Mrs. Terry Bonny, and Mr. and Mrs. George Bates. Here's to wonderful celebrations on your special days!

THIS SATURDAY--For all who are interested in joining the cast of singers and entertainers for the Skamokawa Grange's Follies in June, you've got a meeting with the show's director, Adele Baker Swift and musical director Sunrise Fletcher, this Saturday, April 2 at 4 p.m. at the Skamokawa Grange Hall. I do hope you'll be able to attend so we can start putting this show together. Be sure to tell all your friends, relatives and neighbors about this great three day musical and comedy revue June 24-26. We hope to see you there as we provide you with some top-notch local performers who have graciously volunteered to be in this show to help the Skamokawa Grange in this major fund raiser. Your support is deeply appreciated and we can't thank you enough!

LAST WEEKEND--Did you get to Redmen Hall to check out their Antique Show and Sale last weekend? If not, April 3 is your last day to check this out. The hall is open from noon to 4 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays. Come and check out all the great books and other gift items as well, as we've got many talented folks in our area who have their wares/talents for sale.

PUGET ISLAND REUNION?--I was chatting with another former "Island girl" Cindy Faubion recently, and we were tossing around the idea of an Island Reunion for all of those who used to live on Puget Island. Doesn't that sound like fun? This idea just popped up, but I'd sure like some feedback from those in the area about whether or not they'd like to see this take place, and of course, make some plans for it to happen and that would take a lot of work and planning, so if anybody is up to the challenge, please contact me and we'll see what comes of it.

STEPS GONE--Sadly, the stairs in front of the Skamokawa Town Center are gone. They were a handy short-cut from the pull over alongside the highway, down to the post office and store, and were formerly the stairs leading to the "Lamont Mansion" which was built many years ago, but was torn down to make room for the highway that we now use every day. A picture of that structure is in the Duck Inn restaurant, as well as our local museum and Redmen Hall. At that time Redmen Hall was on the highway level as well, but was hoisted to its present position on the hill. The house, however, did not make it, although parts of it are still visible in one of those houses on the north side of the road coming into town. At any rate, the stairs were crumbling and in quite a state of disrepair, so it was decided to take them out. It was probably necessary but sad just the same.

OPENING DELAYED--The opening of the new store at the town center will be a little later than expected. They hoped they could get everything ready by the first of April, but that's just not possible, so we'll look forward to seeing the doors open the following month, which would be great timing for all the folks in Vista Park as well as us locals. Good luck on that, Jesters!

VISTA PARK MTG--April 6 at 1 p.m., there will be a meeting for those interested in the park's 30th anniversary celebration planned for July 30 with a Vista Market, music, vendors and more.

TENTATIVE DATE--April is Grange month and to celebrate, we hope to have a free movie night on April 30. This is not set in stone but keep it in mind as you fill up your calendar and we should know by next week whether this date is secured.

SICK--There are a lot of folks under the weather lately as I know that little JN was really not feeling well, nor was his grandpa GH, and then our vocalist JH had to miss out on a singing gig due to feeling terribly lousy, and MN had to miss out on some work due to being sick, and the list goes on and on. I'm going to say a blanket get well to everybody that is sick, including a lot of people in our area right now. If they aren't sick, they are clogged up and have runny noses and feel blah, so here's hoping everyone is feeling better real soon. Having to include myself in the latter category, I am hoping the sunshine and pollen will not make the sinuses any worse!

SYMPATHY--I was very sad to hear that one of my mother's dear friends, Anna York, who had lived with her at the Hotel Cathlamet Assisted Living, had passed away last week. Anna and my mom were the best of buddies at the hotel and spent many a night talking to each other and keeping one another company. Recently, Anna had been at the Columbia Care Center where it was much easier for her son Gary York and wife Sandie, to come and visit with her. We want to send our sincerest condolences to Gary and the rest of Anna's family on their loss as she was a real sweetheart and will be missed by all. A memorial service is pending. In lieu of flowers, it is asked that you make a donation to the Humane Society in her name as she truly loved animals.

The family of Mary Vanderwood, 77, is extended our sympathies as well as she passed away March 23 and her services will be held Friday (tomorrow) at 4 p.m. at the Heritage Bible Church on Puget Island.

Long time Cathlamet resident Lilia Duthie also left this world at the age of 92. We all loved the Duthie house when we were growing up, as it looked so perfect up there on the hill. Her son Jim was an upper classmate of mine and we offer his family our deepest condolences.

Also, the families of Donald Veatch and Joyce Prestegard Bowman are offered our condolences as they passed away last week.

OUT OF THE PAST--In March of 1941, there were five men chosen by selective service to start their one year of training: Willard Haataia of Rosburg; Obert Peterson of Puget Island: Alvin Chaistain of Cathlamet; William Anderson of Grays River and Walter Anderson of Rosburg. Earlier in the month, Jack Martin, Pete Carstad, Pete Souvenir and Wiljo Kandoll had been inducted and were currently in Camp Roberts, Calif.

Grant Williams of Skamokawa and operator of the Skamokawa bridge, said that there was a misconception of "sleepy Skamokawa," as his job as operator of the bridge, showed that 125 cars had crossed it from 2 to 10 p.m., so it was quite busy. In 1951,The Skamokawa Grange basketball team played five games in eight days. They won three of the five games and drew first place in the consolation bracket in the annual "Goldenball" tournament in Longview. Fred Greitl of Cathlamet was named to the second all tourney five and Ken McNally of Skamokawa received votes for the "all star" team. The brand new Wahkiakum PUD building saw over 300 visitors during its open house event held this month.

In 1961, the Wahkiakum County Dairy Herd Improvement meeting listed the owners of the top producing cows, which were Frank Duthie, Earl Moore, Harry Steffen, Edwin Sorenson, Robert Torppa, Howard Glenn and Jack Heldt.

Just 20 years ago in 1991, March 31 was Easter Sunday. After some fence building, the Chamberlains met up with the Smiths for Easter buffet dinner at the Duck Inn. The Gulf War had come to an end and everyone was relieved about that, although death toll numbers were rising. The weather this same week: Rain!