Weekend packed full with events

GORGEOUS--Well, as this week began, there was nothing but blue sky all day long with perfect temperatures for working in the yard or just sitting outside and taking it all in. So nice! Of course, if you happened to have been downwind from any big trees, you would have had the unfortunate timing of a pollen bath, as it was coming off the trees in virtual waves. Sort of neat to witness, but if you're allergy prone, it was time to run and hide in the house!

Did you see the "super moon" Saturday night? I only saw it briefly as it slipped between a couple of very black, ominous looking clouds. However, on Sunday night, it was clear as a bell and the moon was still very big and bright and it was a pretty sight indeed.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 10-16 are Rosalie Webb, Pat Thacker, Evan Quigley, Bryce McClain, Christeena Bassi, Kerrie McNally, Ed Smith, Brian Toste, Lizbeth Whitney, Kay Cochran, Vicki Bergseng, Sage Miller, Masen Andersen, Rachael Reynolds, Ashley Jorgensen, Leslie Monroe, Mercedes Pedersen and Pete Sechler.

Happy Anniversary wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Stewart and to Frank and Carolyn Pedersen who will be celebrating their 50th anniversary this weekend.Congrats!

DON'T FORGET--This is Mother's Day weekend. Ladies, I hope you enjoy your Sunday with something special going on; even if it's having the phone off, your feet up and watching your favorite old time movie for the 10th time, just as long as it makes ya happy. Enjoy! Happy Mother's Day to one and all!

BUSY WEEKEND--There are so many things to do this weekend that I don't know how anybody could fit them all in, but here's a quick run down. On Saturday, you can go to Carlton Appelo's 90th birthday party at the Archive Center in Naselle from noon to 4 p.m .; go to a tea on Puget Island at the Norse Hall; go to the opening of a new exhibit featuring Martha Boentgen's paintings at Redmen Hall; go to Tsuga Gallery in Cathlamet for the winning artists of the Great White Tail Run design contest and of course the wonderful piano concert at the Pioneer Church featuring Scott Cossu is that evening at 7:30 p.m. If you get your tickets early at the Bank of the Pacific, you will save $3.

MID-WEEK MEETING--Are you getting about that age when you're eligible for Social Security or Medicare? Are you wondering about your options regarding either of these? If you'd like some information about them, head to the Rosburg Community Hall next Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. and take in this informative meeting. It's being put on by the Southwest Washington Agency for the Aging and Disabilities folks, so now is the time to meet SWAAD presenters, Doug Hooper and Chris Hulings and from SHIBA, Anita Hopkins, and get all your questions answered.

LOCAL SINGS--If you want to hear some great music and listen to local gal Lesley Horman sing, then head to the Clatsop Community College Performing Arts Centre at 588 16th Street in Astoria either May 19 at 7 p.m. or May 20 at 2 p.m. The North Coast Chorale will present a Gospel and Jazz Performance entitled Two Sides of the Same Coin. Tickets are $10 and if you've ever heard Lesley sing, you already know how great she is and I'm sure her voice, along with this great mix of other folks will be just terrific. The is a community based non-profit group and the chorale mentors young singers, and also holds a Fall sing-along to benefit local food banks, so they are doing some great work and giving us some wonderful entertainment as well. We hope you'll head to Astoria and cheer Lesley on!

CHURCH DOINGS--The Skamokawa United Methodist Church will offer a wonderful breakfast on June 2 from 7 to 10 a.m. for just $7 a person. Children from seven to 12 are $4. Because the car show and sturgeon derby is being held that day, they are giving 10 percent of their proceeds to the Wahkiakum Dollars for Scholars program. It's a win-win for everybody when you join them for breakfast!

During the Skamokawa Grange's Vendor's Market on July 28, the church will be the place to go if you're looking for a great deal as they have a rummage sale planned for that day. If you'd like to donate something call Randi Curtis, Carol McClain, Sheran Parker or other church members and I'm sure they'll find a place for your things amongst their sale items. No junk please.

VENDOR'S MARKET--Speaking of the Vendor's Market, the Skamokawa Grange still has spots available at just $10 each for a 10' x 10' area at Skamokawa Vista Park on July 28. Also, we've extended the deadline for applications until the end of this month, so if you're interested in selling your wares, or just advertising them, give me a call and I'll send you an application or you can stop by the Skamokawa Vista Park office and pick one up. Checks should be made out to the Skamokawa Grange #425 but mailed to me at 78 West Valley Road, Skamokawa, 98647. Time is ticking away, so please give me a call real soon!

REUNIONS--The Skamokawa All School Reunion has been cancelled, as with the Mule Train All School Reunion in Cathlamet on August 4, not everyone could make two separate trips, so we hope everyone shows up at the John C.Thomas Middle School Gym that day. Hopefully everyone is aware that if they want to attend, they should send $20 per person, via cashier's check or money order, made out to "The Mule Train Alumni" and send it to: The Mule Train Alumni, c/o Susan Kuhn, P.O. Box 440, Cathlamet, WA 98612. Susan is keeping track of each person who pays, getting a head count for the FFA crew, so they can buy the appropriate amount of food, and such. The fun begins at noon, but you can check in earlier and while the official reunion ends at 5 p.m., the fun can continue on wherever you'd like to gather.

One place that will be available later on is the Norse Hall, as Wayne Gross has arranged for some music and dancing and more fun that evening. Aa big thanks to Wayne for setting that all up!

The idea is to get together and have a good time for this first ever WA-KI-HI all school reunion! See you August 4!

LAST WEDNESDAY--Over 40 people attended the Maritime Resources meeting at the Skamokawa Grange last Wednesday concerning the dredging efforts that we so desperately need at the mouths of several of our rivers and creeks. Mike Backman headed the meeting with Tim Tarabochia and Brian O'Connor being major speakers. Attending the meeting were Representatives Brian Blake and Dean Takko and Senator Brian Hatfield who represent the 19th District, which we are in. A lot of discussion occurred regarding buying a dredge and having it here to use when we need it, but many obstacles faced this suggestion. Dean Takko said he wouldn't mind going after some money in the capital budget fund, providing that we could show we could maintain the dredge, repair it, etc. The dredge could not be used year round, due to rules and regulations and there's always insurance and licensing, etc., so the expense of keeping one could be substantial and not affordable for our county. Obtaining the permits alone can be daunting and extremely time consuming, if not impossible according to John Gustafson, so some major hurdles would need to be overcome. While getting a dredge appeared to have merit, the reality of the situation made for a dismal outlook. One thing was very clear, the need is great to have these tributaries opened up as they affect businesses and recreation and can influence a great amount of flooding in our area, so something needs to be done.

DID YOU KNOW?--Most people have gotten used to seeing Redmen Hall perched on the hillside across from the Skamokawa Resort. However, this huge building, which was formerly Central School, was originally down where the highway is today. This was also the case of the Lamont Mansion, whose stairs were still visible across from our post office until just a couple years ago when major renovations were made to the area. While the Lamont Mansion was dismantled, Redmen Hall escaped that fate by ingenuous local folks who managed to move it up the hill to its current location via block and tackle. Quite a feat in the late thirties! If you'd like to see more pictures of the hall back then, go up to the hall and learn more about its history. While you're at it, head up to the bell tower on a nice day and take in the view clear to Astoria. It's gorgeous! The hall is open Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m.