Enjoy Super Bowl festivities on Sunday

WET AND GLOOMY--Here we are at the end of the first month of the new year, and as this week begins, it's wet and breezy but at least it's not freezing and blowing and we're not buried in snow, so I'm thankful for that. Cousin Erik Pedersen had taken a trip to Alaska where it was 40 below, so I guess I won't be moaning and groaning about the rain we're having. Unless it causes us to flood, of course!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays this coming week are Kyle Gribskov, Varsha Martin, Jamie Helms, Morgan Castillo, Alyssa Montgomery, KC Garrison, Pam Moore, Nicole Emery, Ed Stornetta, Grant Johnson, Becca Johnson, Hailey Hoven, Kathy Tarabochia, Betty Brons, Maddox Moore, Terrie Eaton, Terry Ostling, Alexyss Baldwin, Pamela Priestly, Troy Kyle and Madilyn Freeman. Enjoy those special days everybody!

Happy Anniversary wishes this week go to Mr. and Mrs. Hoby Thacker, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Rainey, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Ower, Mr. and Mrs. Mel Dominque and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Cothren. May your anniversary celebrations be extra special this year!

COMING UP--It's Super Bowl time and we all know where a lot of people will be: In front of the television watching two football teams battle it out! Whether you're for the San Francisco 49ers or the Baltimore Ravens, you'll have even more fun watching it if you head to the Duck Inn and share in the festivities and rivalries with your friends while enjoying some discounted appetizers and other fun stuff! Here's to great fun Sunday afternoon. The game starts at 3:30 p.m. for us.

LAST SATURDAY-- The Skamokawa Grange Hall was filled last Saturday as the family and friends of Dory (Doris) Hicks came together to share their stories of this much-loved woman. Duncan Cruickshank, dressed in his dress kilt, led the ceremony and had the group smiling and laughing with the stories he told about Dory from those that had shared them with him. Oldest son Mike Hicks had us in tears and also in laughter as he spoke of his Mom, and the only daughter in the household of boys, Barbara, had us smiling and chuckling as well. One granddaughter reminded us not to put things off, as she read a letter she had written to her Grandma Dory but that she had not sent while Dory was alive and which had us all in tears. Across the room, various people stood and told of their connections to Dory and revealed just how large of an impact this tiny woman had on all of those around her. She was a tiny but mighty force.

Local band Willapa Hills performed several songs. This may have been the last time many of us will have seen them together, as after one more concert, they will be no more. I hope that a few of the members will carry on under a new name sometime soon. At the end of the service, they played "I'll Fly Away” as the sun came out and shined brightly upon us. I do believe that Dory smiled down from heaven just as she did when she was here.

DINNER COMING UP--The next big event going on at the Skamokawa Grange will be the Wahkiakum County Fair Board’s Valentine Diamond Dinner on February 9. Beginning at 6 p.m., you'll be enjoying the wonderful aroma of filet mignon and Portobello mushrooms. Tickets are $25 for the full course meal and beverages and also include a ticket to win a stunning diamond bracelet. Tickets are on sale at the Bank of the Pacific. If you happen to run into a fair board member, you can inquire about getting tickets from them as well.

This is a major fund raiser for our county fair, so I hope to see a large group there. The fair is a great place for local 4-H kids to show off their animals and their talents.

CLOCK IS TICKING--For those who would like to submit themes to the fair board for this year’s fair, you don't have a lot of time left as the board will be making their decision on February 13. You can send them to PO Box 1, Skamokawa, WA or email them to wahkiakum-fair@centurytel.net.

If you want a chance to name the county’s new ferry, entries for that contest are due February 15. Also, if you'd like to submit artwork for the White Tail run logo contest, you'll need to get those drawings and designs in to the WSU Extension office soon, as those too are due by mid-February. Call Extension Agent Carrie Backman at 795-3278 for more information.

VALENTINES-- Once again, the "Valentines for Vets" program is going on. I hope you'll make a few valentines to send off to those who would certainly appreciate them. Even if you don't send them to a vet, how about a neighbor or to a nursing home resident? The whole idea is to make somebody happy. Here's to lots of smiles on strangers' faces in a couple weeks!

RIDES AVAILABLE--Have you ever thought you'd like to attend services at the Skamokawa United Methodist Church but didn't have a way to get there? Now all it takes is a phone call to Randi Curtis and she'll make sure you get picked up and taken back home. Her number is 795-0628.

RUNNER DOES GOOD--Valle Ledtke, daughter of Skamokawa residents Jerry and Becky Ledtke, belongs to the Western Washington University track and field team. Last Saturday she went with her team to a meet at the University of Washington in Seattle for a televised event where Valle ran in the 400 meter race in 59.66 seconds! This qualified her to take part in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships that are coming up in Nampa, Idaho. While she's there, she'll not only run the 400 meter race but also the 4 x 400 meter relay race. I know her parents are proud of her, and I offer her congratulations on a job well done and best wishes as she heads to the championship event. Go Valle!

MEETING/BINGO/DINNER--The Sons of Norway will be holding their monthly meeting on February 6 at the Norse Hall on Puget Island and will be holding bingo on February 9. When last I heard, they had a Valentine dinner planned for February 10, but if you're in doubt about any of these events, give Jan Silvestri or Susan (Kenner) Brown a call and they'll fill you in on all the details.

FAIR MONEY-- Don't forget that it's never too early to think about our county fair coming up in mid-August. Remember that adults are once again getting paid for their premium points, so I hope that brings back some more incentive to enter items. The kids did great last year, so keep up the good work there. I hope you'll spread the news and get to work on making something to enter.

The Skamokawa Grange will host the teen dance on Saturday night of fair week and the Wahkiakum Food and Farm Network’s Ag Summit the following night. It's going to be a great time for one and all, I'm sure!

The next fair board meeting is February 13 at seven p.m. at the courthouse meeting room

INTERNET OPTION--Signatures are being gathered in Skamokawa for an alternative internet source. If you're interested in that, give David Blalock a call at 795-8729 to inquire about his new plan to get Skamokawa residents high speed service. He will be holding a co-op meeting on February 22 at at 52 East Valley Road.

DONATIONS--It's always great when people donate clothing items that they no longer need, that is, unless the items are dirty, smelly, stained, missing buttons or have broken zippers. Freshly laundered, clean items in good condition are more than welcome. The hard working volunteers at our local clothing bank would appreciate it if you would think “clean, neat and reusable” when donating items.