Valentine diamond dinner approaches

WET SNOW?--The big question on everyone's mind is whether or not it is going to snow today (Thursday) as forecasters were saying earlier in the week that we could see more white conditions around the area. I know skiers and folks who love to play in the snow with their 4-wheelers are all excited about it, but as for me, I'll pass! If it does happen to show up, please take extra care and caution when driving around in it, as you may know what you're doing, but that other guy might not!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays this coming week are Jason Rainey, Bill Mahitka, Lisa Hoven, Kyler Sause, Vanessa McClain, Kara McNally, Peggy Wright, Holly Lindsey, Jim McCoy, Roy LaBerge, Frank Strueby, Jan Silvestri, Russ Durrah, Joey Moore, Kim Webb, Jerod Moore, Kevin Patching, Elaine Robinson, JoAnn Poppe, Cindy Lloyd, Ty Finkas, Holly Pedersen Norton, Susan Schillios and 67'er Ed Bussone. Tom Irving is celebrating his 90th birthday this week, so a hearty congratulations to him!

Those celebrating their anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Gary Berseng. Enjoy your special day!

THIS SUNDAY-- Grangers are reminded that the 2013 State Grange Convention Steering Committee will hold their convention kick-Off meeting on January 13 in a two-part session, beginning with a meeting at 11 a.m. at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. The convention itself is scheduled for June 26-29 at the same location. The convention center is located at 120 West Chance A La Mer Avenue in Ocean Shores. The staff will take convention members through the facility at that time. About noon, the members will head to Montesano to the Olympic View Grange Hall at 466 Old Monte Brady Road for a potluck luncheon at one p.m. All Grangers are welcome and encouraged to attend.

BUSY BB SCHEDULE--It looks like the Mules basketball team will be very busy this week as they've got a home game on Friday night against Winlock, a home game on Monday night against Naselle, and an away game at Napavine on January 16. The Lady Mules will be playing tonight (Thursday) in Winlock and at home against Napavine next Tuesday. Good luck to all of our Mules!

CONGRATS--It seems congratulations are in order for former Skamokawa residents John and Sharon Buennagel, as they have taken over the former Riverview Restaurant in downtown Cathlamet and will be making it a 50's style diner. How fun! I'm looking forward to the new look and am sure that the locals will enjoy having a place on Main Street to have dinner and a drink once again. It sounds like The Diner on Main will be up and running the first half of February. I'm sure we oldsters will thoroughly enjoy going back to the good old days once again! Here's to John and Sharon in their latest venture- good luck!

GRANGE MEETING-- The wonderful Christmas tree donated by Ed Stornetta is down and gone and all the holiday decorations have been put away as we begin 2013 at the Skamokawa Grange Hall. The first meeting of the year for the Skamokawa Grangers will take place Monday. The night begins with potluck at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting following at 7 p.m. We'll be welcoming our members to their new positions including new Treasurer Jessica Fletcher, new Secretary Donna Moody, and new Chaplain Sheran Parker. Everyone is welcome.

Don't forget the Grange-sponsored Smoky Water Follies in June. We'll be looking for those who want to take part in this three-day musical revue right away, so don't put off calling Sunrise Fletcher so he and Adele Baker Swift can put you on the list of performers right away! Then we'll be putting on the Vendor's Market at the end of July and we'll be seeing you at the Wahkiakum County Fair in mid-August, so we've got plenty to keep us busy in the months ahead!

BUSY BUSY--It seems the home of John and Mary Gustafson should have come with a revolving door in it, as they have had many friends and family members from both near and far at their home during the holiday season. With a party prior to Christmas, it was time for baking, cleaning and decorating as they entertained many friends for a casual evening at their home. They had overnight guests a few days after before celebrating Christmas out of town with family. They came home to ready the house for family members to stay at for a few days.The door no sooner closed than it opened again with more friends coming to stay to ring in the New Year as well as help Mary celebrate her birthday! In between all the company, John has found time to help with projects at the fairgrounds and made a darling footstool for the grange to raffle off at our Christmas party, and Mary donated to the treat bags that the kids received. They have not only been busy, they have been extremely community-minded and I wish them only the very best as this new year begins!

COMING SOON--There will soon be some very pretty, and very large, Valentine Dinner banners going up in the area. The banners are thanks to Blair Brady, who is an avid supporter of the Wahkiakum County Fair and all of the fundraising events put on by the fair board. Once you see the banners, you'll agree they are very nice, and we hope they remind you to head to the Bank of the Pacific to buy your tickets for the upcoming Valentine Diamond Dinner on February 9. In just four weeks, we'll be sitting at the Skamokawa Grange Hall and dining on tasty Filet Mignon with all the trimmings. Portobello mushroom will be offered as a steak alternative, so if you'd rather, you can enjoy that instead. With your dinner ticket, you can also get a glass of wine or beer, and there will be coffee and pop available.

Now I know we gals will be buying tickets like crazy for the beautiful diamond bracelet that is in the Grand Prize Gift Basket being given away that night! I'm pretty sure the guys will be buying lots of tickets as they'll be wanting to win that dazzling diamond bracelet for their sweetheart for Valentine's Day, as that would make her very happy indeed! There will also be a few other smaller prizes given away as well. Last year, Carol Ervest was the lucky winner, and the year before, it was yours truly. We'll see who comes out the lucky winner this year!

Recently a meeting was held to go over all the things that need to be done to plan for this upcoming event, and it's always great to have someone in charge that is keeping complete records of what we bought, what we used, what we need and pictures to remind us of how things were. Fair Manager Becky Ledtke is always refreshing to work with as she keeps excellent records and we know exactly what we need to do. Janet Bryan, myself and Bill Coons zipped through the lists of things that need doing and we're feeling pretty good about having things all ready to go. We hope you'll come out and enjoy yourself at this annual event and help support your local county fair while you're doing it. We appreciate each and every one of you. Buy your tickets today! If you can't get to the Bank of the Pacific, contact Becky at 795-3434 and she can make arrangements to get you some. I also have a few, so you can call me as well.