Bazaars and bingo galore this week

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED--This announcement is going out to the people who have yet to cash their fair premium checks: It is with utmost urgency that you cash them immediately or you will be unable to do so and you will forfeit your money. The amount of your uncashed check will then be returned to the fair coffers and your donation will be most appreciated. However, with the holidays coming up, I'm sure most of you would like a little extra spending money and so your well-deserved premium check might just help you out about now but if you don't cash it in the next couple of days, you're going to miss out on your reward. Please, if you want to keep your hard earned money, cash that check today!

TEMPORARILY DRY--The weekend was plenty wet but as this work week begins, we've actually got a bit of sunshine, so I'm happy about that as my lake is gone for now and that's always a relief. The only thing about the drier and warmer days is the ladybugs that seem to be just everywhere!

The pouring down rain last Friday night did not deter the Mules from beating the PeEll Trojans, 32-0 and so I was happy to see that! I was also very glad to have been bundled up in my not so fancy camoflauge clothes, which may not be real fashionable but by golly, they keep out the wind and rain really well and that's what mattered most to me, besides the Mules winning of course! I'm not sure if this decent weather is going to last very long though, but if it were to be decent on Saturday for the folks headed to the big playoff game in Mount Vernon, well, I'm sure they'd enjoy the long drive in the dry weather, rather than the pouring down rain any day, so let's hope it's not too nasty by then. Everyone drive safe and here's to our football team. Go Mules!

GOOD LUCK--Here's to our Lady Mules as well, as the volleyball team will be headed to State, and we hope to see them come home with some hardware. I know they have it in them to win, so here's to them and some good games ahead!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from November 8-14 are Jordym Kaattari, Lynda Jensen, Jonnie Knowles, Ray Lindsey, Clayton Moore, Mark Helms, Joyce Hoven, Kurren Hoven, Ty Brisco, Pat Ohrberg, Virgil Cothren, Skip Irving, Patty Hosley Shanahan, Mike Parker, Roberta Trotter, Chris Bernard, James D. Pedersen, Julianne Bell and LuAnn Davison. May all your birthday celebrations bring you joy and happiness.

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Mr.and Mrs. Charles Buennagel and Mr. and Mrs. Garland Budd. Enjoy your special days!

NEW BIRTHDAY--It's looks like congratulations are in order for the Greg Parke family, as he and Lori became first-time grandparents of a baby boy this past Saturday when son Kris and Mika became the proud parents of a son, Tristan. Tears of joy were shared by all, and who could blame them, as that first baby is always pretty doggone extra special!

NO SALE--There will not be a rummage sale at the fairgrounds this weekend due to the Mules football game taking place that day. Hopefully there will be one the following Saturday, and you'll be able to check Becky Ledtke's column, "What's Happening at the Fair?" and find out whether that's going to be taking place or not.

FOOD DRIVE--This Saturday is the annual Lions Club Walk 'n' Knock Food Drive, so we hope you'll participate in any way you can and make up a bag of groceries for those that are in need of some help. With the upcoming holidays, it's really important to have some extra groceries in our area's food banks so we hope you'll be as generous as you have in the past and help them out. I believe the pick-ups will start about 9 a.m. but they will vary from area to area, so if you have any questions, you may want to call Rene Robert at 849-4003.

HOLIDAY BAZAAR--Also this Saturday, you may want to travel over the hill to Rosburg for the annual Holiday Bazaar that they will be holding at the Rosburg Hall. It's always great to see what people have made and are selling and it's a great place to pick up that handmade gift on your Christmas list.

THIS SATURDAY PM--It's time to win some cash, as it's 'split the pot' time over at the Norse Hall this Saturday when they have bingo, so they hope you'll head to Puget Island and play from 6 to 8 p.m. They have their games on the second Saturday of the month.

NEXT FRIDAY--If you'd like to win a nice, big shiny barbecue, play a little bingo, win a ham or turkey and other great prizes, then all you need to do is head up to the JA Wendt Elementary school and you'll find the multi-purpose room bustling with lots of fun and anticipation, as Turkey Bingo will be taking place November 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., so come and have a hot dog or some nachos or a pastry from Sugar Lilies and have a fun evening playing some bingo games, which include blackouts and four corners and other variations of bingo. This is a fund raiser for the Wahkiakum Fair and put on by the Fair Board so they would certainly appreciate your support. See you there!

ANOTHER WEEK--If you haven't been up to Redmen Hall yet to see Nick Deal's artwork, the Friends of Skamokawa would like to urge you to go as soon as you can, as his display will only be there this weekend and next. His works will be displayed through November 18. The following weekend will be Thanksgiving weekend and they will be their holiday season with a fully decorated hall and multiple artisans, so that should be a must on your list of to do's for that weekend. If you'd like to display your talents at the hall, please give them a call at 795-3007.

ST. JAMES DOINGS--On November 16 and 17, you will have the opportunity to enjoy another Holiday Bazaar and this one will be up at the St. James Family Center, where they have lots of vendors and offer lunch and Scandinavian goodies as well. On November 16, their hours will be from noon to 6 p.m. and on November 17, their hours will be from 10 to 3:30 p.m. Those attending are being asked to bring a can of food or a cash donation for the area food bank.

On Saturday, local author, Irene Martin will be up at the bazaar between 10 a.m. and noon and will be conducting a book signing of her latest book, "Flight of the Bumble Bee" so there's a lot going on up at St. James next week.

CHURCH SALE--On November 24, the Skamokawa Methodist is holding their holiday bazaar and once again, you'll find some great deals there as well. Plus, you can also rent a table for $10 and sell your own things, and while you're there, you can enjoy their lunch special. If you want to rent a table or find out more about this event, contact Carol McClain at 795-3337.

SHE'S BACK--When I was in town the other day, I ran into Trudy and Del Fredrickson and it was good to see them out and about. It was also great to see Trudy's column back in the paper, as I'm sure her Downriver folks missed her news. We wish Del continued success in his recovery and are glad to have them back in the thick of things once again.

NOT PREPARED--Our hearts go out to all those who lost loved ones or to those that suffered the destruction of their homes and were traumatized by Hurricane Sandy, which hit the East coast last week and cut the power off to over 13 million people and caused damages in the billions of dollars; it was just horrific. As I write this, they are bracing themselves for yet another weather event, and we certainly feel for them and will keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

However, once again, this latest storm showed our dependence on the creature comforts that we take for granted every day and how ill-prepared many people are to be without them. After each major weather disaster, we still seem to hear about far too many people who obviously did not heed the weather warnings, who did not leave when they were told to and were totally unprepared to deal with or sustain themselves throughout the aftermath of the storm. In this particular case, there were several days of warnings prior to the storm hitting, so there was a lot of time in which people had to get prepared, and yet many were not.

It's up to us as individuals to make a plan on how we're going to deal with the various weather scenarios that could leave us without power and services, whether it's from flooding, high wind, snow, earthquakes, etc. Being in the country, we will have some different things to deal with than those in the city, but we'll still have many of the same concerns, and we need to plan accordingly. Why don't we pretend that we've got three days before a major wind and rain storm is going to hit? In three days time, you will have no power and you will have no access to a store or a gas station, and you will be virtually trapped in your home with no one coming to help you for at least a week. Now honestly, how ready are you to be on your own with no power, water or telephones available to you for that amount of time? Don't be unwise, prioritize, get prepared today!

ALL OVER--Well, as I finish typing this up, the election will be coming to an end and so will the annoying phone calls and all those repetitive television ads that we have all come to dread. Whether your guy won the Presidency or not, we hope you'll continue to support America and all that she has to offer, as while we're not perfect, we must be doing something right or folks wouldn't still be flocking here by the thousands to live. So, regardless of who is President, may the next four years bring about the changes we so desperately need to make our nation stronger and more viable and her people a little happier. Good luck, America!