Mule Train All School Reunion finally here

SO-SO--Well, as this work week began, we've had some clouds and a bit of mist here and there, along with a few lighter clouds which gave us the warm and muggy feeling as well, but is just depended on where you were as to whether you were cloudy and cool, or cloudy and warm. Over the weekend we were just happy to have dry weather and it was pretty warm in spite of some clouds off and on.

THIS IS IT--Yes indeed, the time has come for the first ever Mule Train All-School Reunion this Saturday. Now the event was advertised as noon to 5 p.m. but for those who have not already registered, you can show up as early as 10 a.m. and Susan Kuhn will get you all signed in. We will be opening the reunion with a brief welcome speech by Susan at 12:30 p.m., and then the national anthem will be sung by former alumni Laurie Miller and then we'd like everyone to chime in when we sing our Alma Mater. Tables will be set up in the J.C. Thomas Middle School gym, so you'll be headed there to meet up with your classmates and sit at the designated tables. If you'd like to help out, we're meeting at 10:30 a.m. Friday morning to get this all set up.

A photographer will be at that the event and at 3:30 p.m., we will be formally setting up the classes for the group pictures in the multi-purpose room, so be aware of that, as we'd like to get the earliest graduates together first and work our way up. For those classes who have only a few members present, they may be grouped together. Then, a booklet will be made available by the photographer for $10, plus $6 shipping and handling. If you do want to take some of these pictures of the groups, we ask that you wait until the photographer gets her picture-perfect shot first, then the rest of us can snap away. This ensures that the classes are not looking every which way to please multiple cameras.

I hope to see you at the reunion!

FUN CONTINUES--While the reunion is listed to end at 5 p.m., it's not like the doors will close immediately and you'll all be booted out. One thing we hope you'll do is head over to the Norse Hall and dance the night away, as former WA-KI-HI alumni Wayne Gross has made arrangements to have music there.

HOTELS--Don't forget to call ASAP for a room to stay in while you're in town. Our Skamokawa area has several B&Bs, like the Twin Gables at 795-3942, Inn at Lucky Mud, 795-8770 or Inn at Crippen Creek, 795-0585 and the Skamokawa resort has hotel rooms above the store as well, 795-0726. You can make a reservation at the Inn at Skamokawa Landing by contacting Janet and Skamokawa Vista Park or 795-8605 or contact her if you're bringing your own RV and want to stay there along our gorgeous Columbia River. The Hotel in Cathlamet had a few beds open when I began writing this, but I'm guessing they will go fast, so call 795-0100 to inquire about their availability. Call 795-3501 to contact the Elochoman Slough Marina about their little cabins or yurts.

IMPORTANT NEW NUMBER--In case you missed it last week, there's a new service available to us in this area, and it's a real good one at a very reasonable cost. The Designated Driver-Safe Ride Home program has been set up here and for just $20 and an hour's notice, you can call 1-855-843-3787 and a team of drivers from our area will come and pick you up and take you home. One member of the team will drive you home and the other will drive your car. If it's a last minute call, it's going to cost you $25 but considering the cost of a DUI or the chance of you piling up your car or someone else's, it's super cheap. Keep in mind, this service is only available on Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Please spread the word about this very essential service in our area and take advantage of it when necessary.

BERRIES AVAILABLE--The Wahkiakum Lions Club is offering up ten pound boxes of frozen berries right now until August 20. There should be an order form in this paper, or you can contact Renee Roberts at 849-4007 and put in your order. They will have raspberries, blueberries, marionberries and strawberries available.

THIS WEEKEND--On Friday (tomorrow), Saturday and Sunday, the Tsuga Gallery in Cathlamet will be featuring boats and more boats, with artists' work featuring them. Frank Loomans has made boat dogs which are being raffled off August 5. The Cathlamet Yacht Club is selling tickets for their raffle which is offering a great little skiff made by talented boat maker and craftsman, Michael Baccellieri, so you can try to win it at their drawing on September 23.

HAPPENING NEXT WEEK--Next Tuesday, it is a National Night Out at the Sheriff's Office Substation at the Grays River Valley Center in Johnson Park that evening from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be food served there as well, so come and take this opportunity for your community to learn about and promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention techniques and overall neighborhood camaraderie. For more information on this National Night Out event, contact Kim Sharp at 849-4033 or Ora Loraine Bauer at 849-4425.

ENDING SOON--Redmen Hall's latest exhibit, ends August 12. The Art from a Northwest Life exhibit features Mitzi Christensen, Alan Brunk, Nancy Knowles and Ramona Lauzon. The hall is open Thursday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

SYMPATHIES--One of the first people I met when I began working at the Duck Inn was a guy named Walt Falk. He and his brother, Bob and their friend Dave always came down here to hunt and they were always wanting to come in fairly late and have a nice steak dinner. While we were usually closed and just cleaning up out in the restaurant, we always made sure we set them up in the corner of the lounge and served up their perfectly done steaks in there. They showed their appreciation with nice tips for the cook and the waitress and that definitely made it easier to stay a little longer on those long, late nights! He and his buddies were regulars down here for years and of course, were good friends of Skamokawa Pete's. Sadly, Walt passed away this past weekend at the age of 71. We send our sympathies to his entire family for their loss. Walt's service is being held Thursday (today) at 11 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Longview with a gathering afterwards to take place at the Moose Lodge.

PRAYERS--A couple of our local area folks, Brian and Tracy Hanson-Arness could use some of our prayers, as they were in a terrible accident this past weekend and were both life-flighted with their serious injuries to hospitals, so please keep them in your hearts and prayers as they and their family members deal with their injuries and recovery. On Facebook, there is a Arness Angels Page that you can visit and post your thoughts and well wishes for the family.

NEEDS OUR HELP--When I first saw the flyers for help and a dessert fund raiser on August 12 at the Hotel Cathlamet from 5 to 8 p.m. for Brandi Thomas posted around the area, the name did not click for me. I really appreciated the letter in The Eagle written by Lisa Sauer Ridout who explained in depth about who Brandi was and what she was dealing with. Brandi is one of our own; a young woman and mother of two, who at 35 is dealing with breast cancer once again and this time it is stage 4 cancer. We have a very loving and generous community and I know we will rally around her and help support her during this terrible time. If you can't attend the fund raiser, contact Lisa at lisamkkykael@aol.com and find out what else you can do. She is also on Facebook, if want to contact her that way. Our thoughts, prayers and well wishes go out to Brandi and her family during this difficult time.

ALMOST FAIR TIME--The Wahkiakum County Fair is fast approaching on August 16-18 and we hope you've read the fair book and found out the times in which your entries are to be accepted into the fair. There are different days and different hours for different entries, so be sure to check that out fully before heading down here with your items.

GREAT TIME--The Vendor's Market put on by the Skamokawa Grange this past Saturday at Skamokawa Vista Park, was deemed a success and we sure appreciated all the vendors who came and all the folks who came and helped support them. Now, plans are already in the works for another one next year and this will be held at the same time: the last Saturday in July.

This was the grange's first attempt at this and so it was a bit of a learning experience for us.

I'm looking for some musical talent who want to come and perform next year so, whether you're a vendor or a musician, give me a call if you're interested in being a part of a fun day.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from August 2-8 are Sheran Parker, Jae Stewart, Susan Brown, Cassi Luthi, Fred Hoven, John L. McClain, Brian McClain, Jenny Benfit, Penny Pethoud, Steve Havens, Betty Huber and daughter Jennifer Huber Norris on the same day, Judy Ostling, Danny Eaton, Maureen Zacher Bokius, Jenny Pedersen, Jason Blain, Terry Bonny and 67'ers Judy Lindwall Bergman, Martin Ostervold and Marnee Ostervold Davis.

Happy Anniversary wishes go out to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hoven, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Baldwin, Mr.and Mrs. Bruce McClain, Rick and Theresa Kuljis, Mr. and Mrs. Pat Dennis, Bill and Marie Schwarz, Steve and Janna Doumit, Sunny and Doug Manary and Don and Kitty Speranza who will be celebrating 40 years together this week. Here's to wonderful celebrations for all of you!!