Many holiday happenings ahead

DECENT--It was nice to see some dry weather last weekend after the downpours we experienced previously. It seems our county had its share of flooding, rock slides and miserable conditions last week to deal with, so a spurt of sunshine and fair weather was a welcome relief. On Monday morning our temperatures in West Valley were down in the 20s and things were frosty white. It looks like winter is coming, so we can't be too fooled by the sunshine of the day. Of course, that's not supposed to last long with things warming up and rains returning. Let's hope it's only showers and not downpours.

DRIVER'S COMPLAINT--I've been asked by a number of people to mention a continuing problem that many are experiencing quite often: folks who continue to drive without their headlights on these foggy, dreary, wet and gloomy days. We all know that having them on doesn't make it easier for you to see the road, but it sure makes it easier for everyone else to see you. That could make a difference in whether or not someone pulls out in front of you, thereby avoiding a collision. So, please drive defensively- the life you save may be your own.

SPECIAL DAYS--We'll be starting a new month this Saturday, which is the last one of this year. Where did the time go? Those celebrating birthdays this coming week are Mike Linn, Tom Webb, Hank Bassi, Mackenzie Allen, Joan Mathis, Dominic Diaz, Jennifer Hoven, Mike Paulsen, Terri Slape, JR DeBriae, Joyce Ower, Steve Finkas, Mark Pedersen and Kevin Palmer. Here's to the happiest birthdays you've ever had with fantastic memories to last you a lifetime!

Celebrating anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Havens, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Holland and Mr. and Mrs. Rick Benfit. Enjoy your special days!

COUNTING DOWN--By the time you read this, there will only be nine more days until the free community Christmas spaghetti dinner at the Skamokawa Grange Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. on December 8. Along with the grangers, the Skamokawa Fire Department will be serving up spaghetti, homemade bread furnished by the Don Speranzas, green salad and cake for dessert. Santa promised to do his very best to show up and hand out some goodies to the kids. We hope to see him around 6:45 p.m.

Many of you came by the Skamokawa Methodist Church last Saturday and saw the giant gift basket that we are going to give away at the dinner. There's $300 worth of items, so it is well worth the $1 ticket price for a chance to win! We will draw the winning ticket about 7:30 p.m. that night, as well as give away a few other smaller gifts as well. Of course, before then we'll want to sing along to a couple of favorite Christmas songs with Sunrise Fletcher leading the way on guitar. We hope to have everybody chiming in with him, not to mention Santa handing out some treat bags. Mark the date down and we hope to see you next Saturday!

REDMEN HALL--It's still Come Home for the Holidays time at Redmen Hall. The holiday spirit will be alive and well up there until December 16. There will be music again this weekend for your entertainment. We all know that the Harmony Hearts are a true blend of voices, so we hope you'll come and listen to Gwen Gorley, Christine Payne-Towler, Pam Emery and Kathleen Morgain on Saturday at one p.m. On Sunday at noon, you can come and hear our multi-talented local artist, Andrew Emlen, and at 2 p.m. Rick Nelson will be playing a variety of music on guitar. Please stop by or call 795-3007 with any questions.

COLLUPY GLASS--Last year, Treasure and Michelle Collupy displayed Treasure's beautiful glass works at Skamokawa Resort’s conference room next to the Skamokawa Store. It was such a hit that they are doing it again this year. They will be there December 7 and 8. I know from experience that you will have a tough time buying just one as they are all so pretty that it will be a tough decision to figure out which is your absolute favorite. To top it off, the Collupys will be donating a percentage of their proceeds to the St. James Family Center, so you'd be helping a local business here in Skamokawa and a vital center for children in Cathlamet as well. Stop by from 10 a.m. to five p.m. either day.

SWEATER TIME--If you were planning on throwing away that really ugly Christmas sweater you got last year, hang onto it a little longer as it could win you a free dinner or lunch at the Duck Inn. On December 21, they plan on having an ugly sweater contest, so put it on, show up and who knows, that old ugly sweater could turn you into a winner!

THIS SUNDAY--The Sons of Norway will be hosting their annual Christmas party for the kids on December 2. Bring the kids by the Norse Hall on Puget Island to get their picture taken with Santa and get a treat to boot! The party starts at 2 p.m., so come to the hall this Sunday afternoon!

THANKSGIVING GUESTS--We were one of those couples who had a quiet dinner by ourselves. We'd been so busy lately that quiet sounded good, so we slept in, ate when we felt like it and didn't have anybody but ourselves to cook or clean up after. David and Connie Shrum had her mother, brother, his wife and two kids over for a belated Thanksgiving and they thoroughly enjoyed their holiday gathering. Joan Evenson traveled to her sister’s place where she enjoyed a nice dinner with family. Sharon Buennagel had a gorgeous table set for her family gathering, which included daughter Abby, home from UNLV for the holidays. The Pete Sechlers’ trip to the other side of the mountains in Ellensburg got changed after Katie's dad wound up in the hospital, but thankfully he's going to be okay. The family gathered at Katie's brother’s place for dinner instead. Chuck and Sheran Parker entertained Beryl and Randi Curtis for Thanksgiving dinner and enjoyed a nice day with them. Ralph and Peggy Pedersen shared the holiday with their sons and had a good day visiting and watching football. John and Mary Gustafson shared a tasty turkey dinner with Mike Linn. The following day they enjoyed going out to Gribskov Glass for a little local shopping with their niece and her husband. They followed that day up with a trip to Redmen Hall and the Methodist Church on Saturday, so they had a busy weekend.

THINKING OF THEM-- A couple of folks we know have been in the hospital. Their families have asked for prayers in their behalf, so we send them along with our good thoughts and wishes to Mike Phelps and Brandi Knowles Thomas. We also want to send wishes for extra strength along to their families, as it's tough to have loved ones in the hospital battling serious health problems and it's even harder when it's the holidays.

NEW OFFICERS--The Skamokawa Grange held their regular meeting last Monday night where they elected officers and some positions were changed. The new Treasurer is Jessica Fletcher, who replaces Sheran Parker who has been at the books for the past five years. Sheran took over the Chaplain position as well as remaining as Musician. Donna Moody has taken over the Secretary job from Jessica. She still has the Lecturer and Family Living positions as well, so she'll be a busy lady. Kay Chamberlain remains as President and Historian and Bill Chamberlain remains as Vice President.

Grange members will hold their next meeting on December 10, which is their Christmas exchange party and a potluck dinner. All members are urged to attend. Bring a gift to play the I can take your gift game, which is always a lot of fun! There will be no second meeting in December as it falls on Christmas Eve. The first meeting of the new year with the new officers will be on January 14.