Community News - November 1, 2012

Share a Sole to help kids in gym class

J. A. Wendt Elementary School students are having a shoe drive, collecting used tennis shoes only, in good condition with either laces or velcro. The shoes collected will be washed and re-laced before given to students who do not have shoes required for playing in the gym.

There will be a drop off barrel in the J.A. Wendt entrance starting November 5. It will be there until all children who need shoes have been provided for. Both girls and boys tennis shoes to fit first graders through eighth graders are needed.

4-H bring home ribbons from Puyallup state fair

Local Wahkiakum 4-H youth participating at the State 4-H Fair in Puyallup have received the results of a job well done.

Exhibitors and awards:

Abbie Moten-Clothing, two blue ribbons and food preservation, three red ribbons.

Alexis Nortrup-Creative arts, two blue, and one award of special merit.

Azery Gribskov-Creative arts, one red.

Cadence Guest-Photography, one blue.

Damaris Blalock-Creative arts, one red, and knitting, one red.

Hannah Saari-Clothing, two blue, and creative arts, one blue.

Karinda Cooper-Creative arts, one blue.

Lindsay Hunt-Clothing, one blue, one red.

Makayla Matthews-Food preservation, four blue, one red.

Nick Deal-Photography, four blue and one award of Special Merit.

Shelby McEneny-Clothing, two blue, fashion revue, blue and award of special merit, rabbit, blue.

Teylor Sauer-Creative arts, one blue.

Celebrate a "Horriable Day"

at quarantine station

The annual 'Horriable Day" event at the historic US Columbia River Quarantine Station will be held November 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Remembering Lewis & Clark on the North Shore will feature hot cider and history and a last chance to view the Special Emigrant Exhibit featuring vintage photos from the German National Archives.

The station is located three miles upriver from the north side of the Astoria/Megler Bridge.

Church celebrates 50 year anniversary

Grays River United Methodist Church will celebrate its 50th anniversary of the church in its present location on November 18, at 10 a.m.

A special service is planned to honor the occasion and the residents of this area that used their skills and funds to build the church. A potluck dinner will be prepared by the ladies of the church following the service. Everyone is welcome.

School holds bazaar

Carrolls Elementary School will hold their second annual holiday bazaar on November 16 from 3:30-6 p.m.

Vendors such as Thirty-One, Scentsy and Miche Bags will be present and refreshments, children's crafts and photos with Santa will be available. All proceeds will benefit the Carrolls PTO iPad fund.

Child development screenings scheduled

Child development screenings for children aged three to five years, who have not entered kindergarten, will be offered to residents in Wahkiakum School District.

Educational Service District 112 and Wahkiakum School District will sponsor the screenings in which children will be assessed in speech and language, cognitive, and motor development. Results are confidential and are discussed with parents following the screening. If a family is living in a temporary situation, they may contact the district where they are staying to attend a screening.

Parents who have a developmental concern for their child are encouraged to call. All interested parents can call 1-800-562-1711 ext. 242 for more information.

Account opened

for Dearmore family

An account has been opened for the family of Sheriff Jon Dearmore at Bank of the Pacific. A memorial scholarship account has also been opened. Those wishing to donate to either account can do so at any branch or mail a donation to Bank of the Pacific, PO Box 337, Cathlamet, WA, 98612.

Holiday season begins with Festival of Trees

The annual Festival of Trees on November 24 at the Hotel Cathlamet, 69 Main Street, will this year showcase decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, centerpieces and gingerbread houses of various sizes, and themes.

Designers are welcome to enter and have a chance to win a prize determined by the most votes in each category. Silent auction bids will determine the winner of each entry to be taken home after December 14. Entry forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce, Bank of the Pacific or http://www.wahkiakumchamber.com. Visitors will have the opportunity to vote for a favorite or bid on a tree or other item to take home.

Local shops will be open with Christmas specials.

This year's Christmas Tree Lighting will take place at the county courthouse with music, caroling and elves. The lighting of the Christmas Tree will be about 4:30 p.m. (dusk) and Santa will arrive by fire truck before heading to the hotel lobby for photographs. A Christmas Movie Night at the Pioneer Church will start after Santa. For more information on any of these events, call the chamber at 795-9996.

Local author to hold

book signing at St. James

A book signing by local author and historian Irene Martin will be held November 17.

Her newest book Flight of the Bumble Bee: The Columbia River Packers Association and a Century in the Pursuit of Fish, written with Roger Tetlow, tells the story of the famous packing company that started in Astoria in 1899. It contains many historical photographs illustrating the story of the company, whose facilities extended from Bristol Bay, Alaska, to San Diego, Calif. and the people who were part of it.

Martin will be available for signing at the annual St. James Holiday Bazaar on November 17 between 10 a.m. and noon.

The event, at the St. James Family Center, will also offer home cooked meals, a Scandinavian bake sale, and a variety of vendors selling decorative and gift items. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. on November 16 and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on November 17. Attendees are asked to bring either a can of food or a cash donation for the food bank. All profits from the event go to support St. James Family Center.