Summer is most definitely over

NOT NICE--As this week began, the skies opened up and poured rain upon us! It was something else on Sunday afternoon as we haven't seen it rain that hard in awhile now. From the sounds of it, we're going to be in a wet pattern all week long, so I guess it's time to concede that summer really is over and we'd better prepare ourselves for some stretches of nasty weather. There was a glimmer of hope on the last weather report I saw, as a dry patch is scheduled for Saturday; let's hope we get it.

This is the time to prepare ourselves for the months ahead. Let's hope we've all got our emergency needs taken care of, which include flashlights and batteries, another heat source, extra food and water, etc., all in case we have a lengthy power outage or are cut off from stores due to road damage/slides or bad weather conditions. It's never too early to get prepared!

UNIQUE MONTH--Did you take a good look at your calendar this month? Like last year, it boasts five Saturdays and five Sundays. However, this year, it also has five Mondays, which is a very rare event. I'm also told that this makes it a very lucky month, so let's hope so, as I think we could all use a little good luck!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from October 6-12 are Justin McClain, Matt Helms, Jeff Baldwin, Richard Hoven, Kevin Vik, Ivy Lou Vik, Betty Goodell, Lisa Frink, Holly Luthi, Cindy Turner, Lisa Ridout, Doug Manary, Kim Anderson, Ida Budd, Sarah Heriford, Anne Torget and Tessa J. Sechler. Here's wishing all of you the very happiest of birthdays.

Happy Anniversary wishes go to Mr. and Mrs. Rob Meyer and Mr. and Mrs. Marty Kuller. Enjoy!

IMPORTANT POST OFFICE MEETING--I just got the call at the end of last week that the Post Office Operations Manager, David Boos will be coming here to talk about the possible closure of the Skamokawa Post Office. It is really essential that everyone who is a post office box holder, or on our Skamokawa rural carrier route, or even a user of the Skamokawa Post Office, shows up this next Tuesday, October 11, at the Skamokawa Grange Hall beginning at 6:30 p.m. This is when you can voice your opinions on why we need to keep our post office here. We need everybody to show up, so please show your support by attending.

Also, for more support, sign the petition at the Skamokawa Resort and write a letter to this new address (disregard last week's address) and mail them instead to District Discontinuance Officer, Portland PFC, P.O. Box 3609, Portland, OR 97208-3609. If you don't want to mail them, bring them to the meeting. There are pre-addressed envelopes available at the Skamokawa Resort as well. Please think of all the reasons we need to keep our post office and include them in your letter.

FOOTBALL/SCHOOL--Tomorrow, (Friday) the Mule varsity team heads to Toutle Lake to play football at 7 p.m. Next Monday, the JV team will play Toutle Lake here at 6 p.m., hopefully as the last two JV games at home have been cancelled due to either injuries or lack of eligible players on the part of the other team. This Saturday, the Youth football team will play at Wahkiakum at 5 p.m. Go teams!

Don't forget the volleyball games on October 13, there will be both JV and Varsity games here and on October 18, both teams will play in Napavine. Cross Country teams will be in Raineir on October 11.

On October 14 there will be a State Teachers' In-Service Day so the kids will be out of school for that and it'll make a nice little three day weekend for them.

REDMEN HALL--Hopefully, you've been able to go to Redmen Hall recently and see the latest art exhibit in the River Life Interpretive Center. If not, you've only got until October 16 to see the Mitzi and David show, which features a variety of artwork by these two local artists. Don't forget the gift shop which hosts a variety of fantastic books, note cards and locally made things by our talented artisans. The Hall is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to four; the gift shop is handicap accessible from the upper parking lot.

YUM--On October 21, the Charlotte House will host their 13th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza. Always a very tasty event and the money goes for a good cause as well. The location hasn't been decided yet but we'll announce it when we find out.

BACK TO BACK--The third Mule Train All School Reunion meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on October 22 at the Chamber of Commerce in Cathlamet. It is hoped that more people will come forth with their great ideas and energy to help pull this huge event off. It's going to take place on August 4 at Wahkiakum High School.

Right after that meeting, about 11:45 a.m., all members of the class of 1967 are invited to come to their reunion planning meeting at the Riverview Restaurant in the back room.

SKAMOKAWA REUNION--Next year, just a couple of weeks after the All School Reunion in Cathlamet, the Skamokawa all school reunion will take place at Skamokawa Vista Park during the Wahkiakum County Fair. This should be another fun time and your contact person is Gary Emery. We've got lots of reunions coming up next year, which means lots of planning for everyone, so please take part and lighten up the work load for some of these organizers!

MUSEUM MEETING--The Wahkiakum Historical Society wants to remind you that all members are urged to attend their annual meeting, to be held on the last Saturday of this month, October 29. It will be held at the Cathlamet Fire Hall's meeting room at 11 a.m. This is a potluck luncheon so members are asked to bring their favorite dish to share. Besides a short business meeting and election of the 2012 executive board, there will be a guest speaker, Mike Taylor, whose topic will be about re-connecting with the rock art on the lower Columbia River. You can RSVP to Judy Brawn by calling 360-562-1925.

Don't forget that the museum is open on the weekends through October so please stop by.

GREAT SINGING--Former Wahkiakum County resident Laurie Miller recently entered the Catch a Rising Star contest at the Puyallup Fair and wound up coming in second place out of all the contestants, so I'd say that was really good. Considering she missed taking first place by only half of a point, I'd say that was as close to first place as a person could get, so she obviously did a great job! Congratulations to Laurie for her wonderful singing performance.

NOVEMBER DOINGS--Carol McClain informed me that the Skamokawa United Methodist Church will host a Harvest Bazaar on November 12. They'll be renting out tables for $10 each to sell your wares, goodies or stuff, while they sell their things, which will include some yummy cinnamon rolls, etc. As this event gets closer, I'll fill you in on all the details, like the hours, which aren't set yet.

Also, it appears our food banks are in desperate need for some food as they have some mighty empty looking shelves I'm told. I hear the school is holding a food drive this month, and next month, the Lions Club will hold their annual Walk 'n' Knock food drive on November 19, instead of its usual weekend in December; the need is so great. Please keep an eye out for these food drives and donate generously if you can. It's tough times out there for many.

COUPLE OF MONTHS--I hate to say it, but from the way time has been flying by, it will be December before you know it. The Skamokawa Grange Hall will be looking mighty Christmassy by December 10 when they hold their annual free Christmas spaghetti dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. and we hope to see you there. This year we have a great prize to give away, which includes everything you'd need to put on a Christmas dinner with some homemade goodies from our local B&Bs. To go along with that basket of goods will be an array of other things, like hand-blown Christmas ornaments by Treasure Collupy and an array of gift certificates, so this basket will be valued at over $200 and it could be yours for just a buck! If you don't win the big prize, you could win one of the other gift items that will be given away that night, so mark December 10 on your calendar and come on down to the Skamokawa Grange Hall for a tasty dinner, goodie bags for the kids and a chance to win a great prize!