Think of donating food this harvest time

STILL HOLDING--Well, as I begin to write this, our good weather is still holding on, although the night times out here in West Valley sure took a nose dive, as last Wednesday morning we woke up to a frozen world; hadn't thought it would get that cold! Since then other areas have felt the chill as well, so while our dry days are still here for now, it looks like cooler and wetter times are coming our way and with the clouds this Tuesday morning, it looks to be coming soon. While we need the rain, I'm hoping we don't get pounded right off the bat, as I know most of us aren't ready for that just yet, but dampening the woods and filling up our creeks and springs would be most welcome.

TOO EXCITING--Last Sunday we saw multiple emergency call-outs in our area; we were very fortunate that no homes or businesses were lost, as a couple of the fires had potential to cause a lot more damage than they did. Until we get that rain, it's imperative to be extremely careful with any fire source right now.

Kudos to all the fire departments and first aid people who came out the other day, as you certainly had a work out! Thank you so much for being there for us!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from October 11 to 17 are Heidi Heywood, Ivy Lou Vik, Ida Budd, Ron Cothren, Tyler Cothren, Aron Havens, Sami McKinley, Cameron Collins, Heidi Knowles Mast, Heather Knowles Ratcliff, Randy Kuhn, Dixie Anderson, Curt Moore, Keith McNally, Adelaine Durrah, Josie Parker and Fred Nollan. Enjoy your birthdays everyone!

I guess I gave one person one too many birthdays as Michele Smith does not have a birthday until after Christmas. Sorry about that Michele!

A reminder to all that if you see an error in the Lions Club calendar, please be sure to give a Lions Club member a call and they'll get it sorted out for next year. In the Skamokawa area, it's Carol McClain that you need to call, although corrections for this coming calendar are already in, but keep track of them and you can submit them next year.

Happy Anniversary wishes this week go out to Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Reid, Mr. and Mrs. William Owen and Joe and Sheryl Weaver.

NEW BIRTHDAY--Proud grandpa Ron Rust has a new grand-daughter who was born on October 5. She weighed in at eight pounds, seven ounces and was 20 inches long and her folks, Dave and Lauren, named her Lillian. The baby was doing fine at first but then had some problems due to an infection of sorts, so we are all saying our prayers that little Miss Lillian winds up just fine. Congratulations to the Rust families!

NEXT TWO SATURDAYS--For the next two Saturdays, you'll be able to meet up with Mike Backman, who is running for District #1 County Commissioner, when he hosts two barbecue salmon dinners at two local granges. This Saturday, Mike will be at the Grays River Grange hall from 4 to 8 p.m., where you can enjoy dinner, talk with him in an informal setting and leave suggestions with him for what you'd like to see happen in our county.

On October 20, during those same hours, you'll be able to come to the Skamokawa Grange Hall and meet up with him and again, enjoy dinner and talk to him about your concerns or offer your suggestions and ask Mike what he thinks about certain issues. He is trying to make himself accessible to the public by hosting these two events, one on each side of the hill, so we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to see what he has to say.

FARMERS MARKET--Don't forget that the Two Islands Farm Market is still holding their farmers market at 59 West Bernie Slough Road on Puget Island until the end of the month, so we hope you've done some local shopping and enjoyed the fruits of their labor. Their hours are 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Fridays, so there aren't many more of those left as we're almost midway in this month already.

HUGE GIVEAWAY--The Skamokawa Grange #425 is putting together a huge holiday gift basket with some help from the Skamokawa Fire Dept. and we'll be giving this away on December 8 at our annual free holiday dinner for the community! You can buy tickets for this drawing at the Skamokawa store for just a dollar each or call me, and I'll let you know of other ways to get them. The idea of this basket is to provide you with everything you will need for Christmas dinner, not to mention the Christmas tree itself and gifts for your entire family! Our Cathlamet IGA store is going to be giving us a gift card which will ensure your choice of a ham or turkey and any other fresh items you may want to have for dinner. However, most items you would need will be provided in the basket, from canned fruits and veggies to hot apple cider packets, and from a bottle of wine and goblets to holiday potholders and towels. Don't forget this basket also includes a hand-blown glass piece from Collupy Glass, which is always very special. The basket will be well worth $300 when it's all added up so it's a great deal. Buy your ticket today for this basket or some of the other prizes on offer!

Also, we have a lovely little footstool to give away that night as well, and that will be a separate drawing. This charming wooden stool or little bench, was made for us by John Gustafson and donated to the Grange for this occasion, so we are truly appreciative of his generosity and hope you'll buy a ticket to win it as well.

THIS WEEKEND IN SPORTS--After the huge win last Friday night by the Mules, we hope they continue their winning streak with a big win over the Morton/White Pass team this Friday night here at home. The JV team will play them at MWP on October 15. The newly organized Wahkiakum Mules Booster Club wants to invite you to eat at the high school cafeteria beginning at 5:30 p.m. Today (Thursday), the cross country kids will be in Tenino, and the Lady Mules will be taking on Onalaska at home and away in Napvine on Tuesday. The Warriors will be away at Toutle Lake this evening, (Thursday), at 6 p.m. Here's to great efforts and much success for all of you this week!

FOOD BANK ITEMS--Recently a site was published by those who operate food banks and they gave a list of the top 10 categories that they'd like to see donated. With the holidays coming along before you know it, we hope you can donate a couple of things to one of our area's food banks and make life a little easier for those less fortunate. If you're able, please donate some of the following: peanut butter, cans of soups and stews, rice and pastas, canned veggies, canned or dried beans, canned fruit, beverages that are 100 percent juice, boxed meals, like Hamburger Helper, canned milks, or powdered ones, including instant breakfasts. Why not look in your pantry today and see if you can spare a can or two of food? Not only will you be making others feel good, but you'll get that feel good feeling by helping others as well.

CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA--If you like chocolate, it's time to mark October 26 on your calendar, as you'll be able to go and enjoy the fourteenth Annual Chocolate Extravaganza being held in the Hotel Cathlamet lobby from 4:30 to 7 p.m. This is a fund raiser for the Charlotte House Domestic Violence Shelter and their programs. The cost of the tickets is $15 and for senior citizens and children under 12, the tickets are $10. Here's to all of you fabulous bakers and to one of you who will earn the Most Decadent Dessert winner!

SYMPATHY--I was saddened to hear of the passing of June Mattson, who was definitely a very active, perky person when I knew her at the Hotel Assisted Living a few years back. I loved listening to her stories and she was always up for a good chat and kept up a good conversation with my mom and her friend Anna York.

We offer up our sincerest condolences to June's family. Her services were last Saturday. June had turned 98 this past June. May you rest in peace, June Bug!

MEETING WRAP UP--The Skamokawa Grangers met this past Monday evening and plans for November's meeting have been changed due to conflicting schedules by many members for the original November 12 date. So, we will have our regular meeting shifted to November 19, and we'll also have our election of officers that evening as well. This will be a crucial meeting so we hope all members will be there, as we will also need to finalize our plans for the December 8 holiday dinner for the community, so time is flying by it seems and much needs to be done!

MUSEUM MEETING--The Wahkiakum Historical Society will be holding their annual meeting a week earlier than originally planned due to scheduling conflicts, so that will be held on October 20 in the new building, instead of October 27. You can contact Kari Kandoll for more info at wahkiakumhistory@gmail.com

BINGO--Don't forget Bingo at the Norse Hall this Saturday night. It's split the pot. Have fun!

MORE BINGO--The Wahkiakum Fair Board will be hosting their annual Turkey Bingo on November 16. The big prize has yet to be decided on as of this writing, as their meeting isn't being held until a day after my news is due, but you'll have a chance to win a great prize and there will be plenty of hams and turkeys to take home as well. If you'd like to help out, give Becky Ledtke a call and if you'd like to donate a prize, leave a message at the fairgrounds office, 795-3480, or you can always give me a call as well and I'll pass the info along.