Happy New Year!

NO SNOW--We didn't get a white Christmas in Skamokawa last Sunday, but that was fine with me, as we just had some rain, but it meant being able to come and go and not worry about having to cancel any plans due to icy or snowy conditions. For the last three Saturdays, we've had some decent days and that meant a great turn-out for the free community dinner at the Skamokawa Grange Hall, a fantastic family gathering at the hall the following week, and a wonderful Christmas Eve, so we were all quite thankful for that stretch of nice, dry Saturdays.

However, I hope you were minding the weather forecasts that were predicting some heavy rains and winds this week; we may have had the worst of it by the time this goes to print, but Friday was still iffy so make sure your supplies are stocked up just in case as winter is officially here and we should all be prepared for the months ahead, as I'm afraid we've all gotten too used to this relatively dry, uneventful December and could get a real eye-opener in the days ahead.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from December 29-January 4 are Duncan Cruickshank, Brooke Luthi, Trynity Mendez, Robbie Kerstetter, Erin Wilson, Stephanie Crouse, Terry Cleveland, Charlene Montgomery, Tony Danker, Greg Bain, John Hoven, Bob Stewart, Mary Gustafson, Frank Pedersen and Jim Blain. A new birthday has been added to the birthday list, as little Olga Goldinov came into this world on December 17, so we offer our congratulations to her parents, the Victor Goldinovs, as this was number 10 for them; a true handful!

Celebrating their anniversaries are Mr. and Mrs. Bob Jungers, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Helms and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bigler. May all of your birthday and anniversary celebrations be extraordinary this coming week.

FIREWORKS--Don't forget to stop by the Wahkiakum Lions Club Fireworks booth at the Chevron station for all the fireworks needed to bring in the new year. You've got only three more days to stock up, so stop by today. Don't forget to use these fireworks responsibly and take care that you don't endanger a pet or another person while you are enjoying them; it is asked that you be safe, sane and considerate of others please.

BIG PARTY THIS SATURDAY--If you're looking for something to do to end the year, well, look no further than going up to the multi-purpose room at the grade school and take part in their spaghetti feed that starts at 6 p.m., and then the games and things will be taking place after that. This is being put on by the Wahkiakum 4-H and Lions Clubs and so you're invited to take part in it, or help in it, so here's your chance to have fun or do a good deed or both! The cost is $5 but if you bring a can of food you get a dollar off of admission, so that's a neat deal and it helps stock up our food banks once again as well. For more information on this 6 p.m. to midnight New Years Bash, call Mike or Carrie Backman at (360) 431-4421.

HOW WAS IT?--How was your Christmas holiday this year? I trust you had a good time. I know Erval Cooper said it seemed awfully quiet at his house after a Christmas Eve full of kids and grandchildren, but they all had a wonderful time while they were all together. This household was quiet on Christmas Day after having eight family members together for turkey dinner and a gift exchange, as well as several weekends which included lots of people, so it was a great time to go and see the movie War Horse. The show was packed and you could have heard a pin drop at the end I think; a very good show. The Ralph Pedersens enjoyed a dinner made by son, Tim Pedersen, and who was joined by brother Mark, Rhonda and Gabe Pedersen, so they had a very nice day together, while Peggy got to kick back and enjoy watching the "kids" take over the kitchen. The Pete Sechler family did have a white Christmas, as they traveled to Ellensburg to see part of the Nollan family there and so they had fun playing football in the snow, and fortunately got back over the pass before any heavy snowfall up there! Jerry and Becky Ledtke enjoyed having their kids at home and Becky even took a trip back up to Bellingham with daughter Valle and then rode the train back home, so she enjoyed a nice little getaway. John and Mary Gustafson had company over the holidays and also traveled to Longview to share Christmas Eve with other loved ones. New Year is coming up and Mary will not only be entertaining a couple of friends that are coming to stay for a few days, but they'll all be together celebrating Mary's birthday as well, so I'm sure they'll be having a wonderful time together.

GALLERY--The Tsuga Gallery in Cathlamet has some creations in it made by a couple of Skamokawa folks, as Becky Ledtke is showcasing some of her jewelry, and Skamokawa/Seattle resident Mike Rees has some of his photography there as well. I really enjoyed seeing Frank Loomans' handiwork in there as well, as his wood carved things are just so unique. Many other artists are there as well, so hope you get to stop by the newly remodeled gallery sometime and see all of our talented folks work, as with 25 members, there is a wonderful variety of talent to view!

HAPPY RETIREMENT--It's hard to believe but some of the folks that we've seen forever in their various jobs around the county are going to be retiring soon, so we offer Kathy Durrah, Danny Eaton and Ed Blain a batch of happy retirement wishes! Kathy was honored for her 32 years yesterday, while Danny and Ed will be sharing their cake and beverages with the public today at 1 p.m. up on the third floor of the courthouse. Danny is leaving his helm of the ferry after 30 years and Ed is leaving the County Road Dept. after 22 years. Congratulations to all of you for reaching this milestone in your lives!

SKAMOKAWA MEETINGS--The Skamokawa Grange #425 will have its first meeting of the year on January 9; it will be a potluck beginning at 6:30 p.m. and we hope all members will try to attend as we work out our goals for the year. We have two major events coming up this year and that will be our Smoky Water Follies on June 29 and 30, and July 1 for our matinee. Then we're hoping to have another vendors market at the Skamokawa Vista Park on the last weekend of July, which would be July 28, so we have some plans to make for that if it's going to get off the ground. Of course, we're going to be taking part in the Wahkiakum County Fair in August, so it's going to be another busy year it seems! One of our ambitions this year is to get some real curtains on the windows, as we've been using paper for the past six years and we'd like things to look a little bit better than that, so if you can sew and would consider helping us out, we'd love to hear from you. Call me at 795-3425.

BIG DINNER--I trust you will be back down here to the Skamokawa Grange Hall in February for the Wahkiakum Fair Board's diamond dinner once again. This is always a fun evening and with a diamond necklace being given away, as well as several other things, we know there'll be some happy winners out there. The dinner will be held on February 11 so watch for the tickets that will be going on sale and come and enjoy a dinner of filet mignon with all the fixings and entertainment as well.

PASSED ON--Many of you may remember June Madsen from up at the Hotel Cathlamet Assisted Living center a few years back, and often her brother Danny, would come to the special gatherings held there, so we saw him quite often. Well, I just heard from Lori Parke that he passed away on December 10, and I was certainly sorry to hear that. June and the rest of Danny's family has our sincerest sympathies. We also want to send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jeremy Wence, whose services were held yesterday. The loss of a young person is always extra hard on those left behind.

LAST COLUMN OF THE YEAR--Here we are at the end of another year, and yet again, we wonder where the time went as it seems impossible that 2011 is over and on Sunday, we will be welcoming in 2012, just amazing. As this year comes to a close, may you relish the past experiences you had, forgive the transgressors that may have made your life miserable and go forward into the New Year in peace and harmony and a willingness to brighten someone's day whenever possible. Happy New Year everyone! Please have a safe and happy New Year's celebration wherever you go and whatever you do!