Drive carefully while celebrating New Year

NEW YEAR--Here it is: My first column of a new year and onto my 19th year to boot. It seems like yesterday! What a year this has been and with never a dull moment. I guess that's why it went by so fast. Once again we had early deadlines this week, so I do hope your New Year's Eve was a fun one!

As 2012 was coming to a close, we wound up having freezing weather and very thick fog out here in West Valley on Sunday and Monday mornings, so while I enjoyed the sunshine that showed up once the fog lifted, the nippy nighttime temperatures and snow in the surrounding hills were a reminder that winter is definitely here. However, compared to many other parts of the country, we've got it easy. The other day, 41 tornados touched down in the southeast and the middle of the country saw record snowfalls. Parts of Oregon received a lot of snow and ice and on Interstate 84, one horrible accident involving a charter bus that went off the road and down an embankment killed nine people and injured 20 more. That was a wake up call to all those traveling during this time of year, as those icy roads can truly be deadly.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from January 3-9 are Josh Moonen, Jim Koziel, Scott McClain, Marlena Silva, Erin Wilson, Stephanie Crouse, Nicole Turgeon, Joe Montgomery, Don P. Wages, Philip Vik, Becky Elliott, James M. Blain and Mike Moore. Happy Birthday to one and all!

Happy Anniversary wishes go out to Jon and Milli Elven. May you have a wonderful anniversary celebration!

THINKING PINK--We heard the good news about our newest family member-to-be, as Adam and Samantha Pedersen showed us cute little pink shoes and the name Bailey Alexis on their website. She is expected in mid-June. We'll all be buying pink at last, as on that particular branch of the family, there has been all boys. Adam is the grandson of Ralph and Peggy Pedersen of Cathlamet.

CHRISTMAS--When I asked folks about their Christmas celebrations I got mixed reviews, from "just glad it's over" to "it was great!" Some folks took down their decorations right away and have things all neat and tidy already, while there are others, like me, who enjoy looking at all the pretty stuff right up until the new year. While we had a nice Christmas Eve here with Brandon and Brian and their significant others, as well as grandsons, Austin and Bryce Good, we also had a non-traditional meal of ribs and baked potatoes. They were all going to be doing traditional foods the next day and I'd already had my fill of both ham and turkey, so this was a quick and easy meal for me. On Christmas Day, it was quiet with no plans except to put together our traditional puzzle, which wound up being a real toughie. We decided to be gluttons for punishment as we opted for a second puzzle challenge which is still unfinished. We'll remember to stick with just one next year! We had some special guests later in the evening, as the children of Viktor and Natalia Goldinov stopped by to sing some Christmas carols for us. That was definitely a wonderful treat in which to end our Christmas Day, so we thank them for that!

67'ers Mike Hicks, Pam Below Lazor, Sharon Stout Servis and Elaine Munson Rolf all reported wonderful Christmas times with grandkids and other family members, so I was happy to hear about their family gatherings. I got a lot of holiday wishes from many of my other classmates and it's always great to hear from them. Sharon McKie shared pictures from a candlelight service in Florida and I have to say, they were absolutely stunning. Obviously, she had wonderful weather for her holiday doings.

REMINDER--Speaking of classmates, I want to remind everybody to keep August 13, 2016 open as we'll be having another big reunion and we hope to have even more alumni this time. Of course, your ideas and your help would be greatly appreciated as this is a huge job. Some of us are no longer spring chickens, so loading and unloading stacks of chairs and moving a bunch of tables may not be possible for some of us three years from now. I hope you'll all pitch in to help out when the time comes and make this a great 100-year commemorative WA-KI-HI reunion! Susan McClain Kuhn is in charge of the event, so you can let her know you'll be happy to volunteer for this grand event three years from now.

SONS OF NORWAY-- The Sons of Norway group meets at Norse Hall on Puget Island on the first Wednesday of every month and they hold Bingo on the second Saturday of every month in the evening beginning at six p.m. All are welcome at the meetings. With Jan Silvestri still holding the office of President, there is bound to be a lot going on over there, as she's a real go-getter.

VALENTINE DINNER--I'm hoping for a good evening for the annual Valentine Diamond Dinner that will be taking place on February 9 at the Skamokawa Grange Hall. Tickets are on sale at the Bank of the Pacific and have remained at the same price as last year. Just $25 gets you in the door, a glass of wine, a chance at the diamond bracelet gift basket and the filet mignon dinner. There will also be live entertainment. It's a great deal, good fun and will help the Wahkiakum County Fair Board raise money for the upcoming fair in August. If you'd like to help in some way, be it as a donator, server, set up person, etc., be sure to call Becky Ledtke and let her know. More help is almost always needed.

COMPLAINTS SO FAR--I have had several requests from folks to remind others to please slow down on the country roads around here, as it seems some folks aren't staying on their side of the road as they speed around corners and have almost caused several accidents. I have also been asked to remind people to please turn on their lights as they are almost impossible to see in the gloomy weather we have here, and even prior to dusk, a dark car can become invisible without its headlights. Also, for those of you who drive a vehicle with a jake brake: please slow down prior to the speed limit sign so that you won't wake those up who live nearby. After all, you know the reduced speed zone is there and slowing down a little to be courteous to those who live in those areas would be greatly appreciated. I am not sure complaining to me will get you any results regarding these problems, but I said I'd mention them, so there you go. If continued problems occur, you may want to take your concerns to a higher level of authority, For all you offenders out there, please take note that people are indeed watching you and they have cameras and phones. You may find yourself turned into authorities if people get too fed up with your actions, so consider yourself warned!

STAMPS--Now is the time to buy your Forever stamps, as the price will go up on January 27. I hope all of you got some Christmas cards mailed out, as it supports our local post office that I know we all want to keep. I certainly enjoyed receiving cards and letters with pictures and news of travels and what have you. It's just the kind of thing this scrapbooker likes to receive!

It's also time to think about making some Valentines to send to the Valentines for Vets program. You can check out your local Veteran's Hospital in the phone book or online or pick out a nursing home or assisted living place and send some to them, as I'm sure they'd enjoy some pretty hearts and cards as well.

GREAT GAME--I think everyone was on the edge of their seats last Sunday afternoon when the Seahawks pulled off their 11th straight win in the last few minutes of the football game against the Rams to clinch a berth in the playoffs. Exciting! I'm betting it was party time in Seattle Sunday evening, perhaps even outdoing any New Year's party held Monday night. That was really a close one and a long time coming for us football fans!

GET WELL--I think I have heard of more people than ever before who are suffering from colds, from here in Skamokawa, clear to California and back east. Tis the season! They also seem to be lasting for quite a long time. Some have even been dealing with pneumonia, so without naming each of you individually, I'll just send out blanket get well quick wishes to each and every one of you. Hope you are feeling back to new really soon. Remember that if you're feeling lousy for very long, you'd best make a trip to the doctor before it turns into a trip to the hospital.

SAD TIMES--I want to offer my sympathies to Dixie Peterson Anderson of Cathlamet and to Ken Gomes of Skamokawa, as they both lost loved ones recently in tragic ways. I send all of the family members of both families my deepest condolences, as there are many relatives of both people in this area. Our thoughts are with all of you during this time of sadness.