Writer sends good luck wishes to basketball team

 WET & WINDY--The storm that blew in last Friday was certainly a wet and windy one. No one could attest to that better than the driver of the semi-double trailer truck that blew over on the Astoria Bridge, halting traffic for several hours. It wasn't long before we had a small lake in our field again. It's always amazing to me how fast the ducks and geese hear about the new pond in town! Saturday had us viewing the sun off and on, so that was a nice break from the downpouring rain. Everybody I talked to was ready to head to Hawaii for some sun and warmth and I couldn't say I blamed them. Up in the mountains, a whole lot of snow was falling. If you looked around our hills on Saturday, you could see a fresh white coating as well, so you know that it wasn't warm around here either!

CORRECTION--I was evidently trying to make the members of the Sons of Norway a bunch of houdinis or the Norse Hall bigger than it really is, as last week I said they would be holding their usual Bingo game on the second Saturday in March. That isn't true; there is no Bingo at the Norse Hall on March 9 because the Chamber of Commerce will be holding their annual crab and oyster feed there that Saturday. My apologies for the error!

The members of the Sons of Norway lodge will be holding their corned beef and cabbage dinner on the following Saturday.

 WAY TO GO--As you read this, our Mule boys basketball team will be in Spokane and playing in the state playoffs. This was made possible by the huge win over Liberty Bell last Saturday. By the time many of you read this, you will have already heard who won the game, as we play Winlock at nine in the morning on Thursday. I know everyone is wishing the Mules the very best and if they continue to play as well as they have recently, we'll be just fine. Go Mules!

 GOOD VISIT--My father-in-law Veryl Chamberlain was here in West Valley for three days last week and along with my husband Bill, got to take in the great beef stew luncheon at the Grays River Methodist Church while he was here. They also made a stop at the Grays River Cafe as they tried to visit as many people that Veryl might know while he was in the area and of course, it was off to the Duck Inn during the morning hours to talk to the folks there. Veryl came from Benton City with daughter Karen Blain and hubby Jim to visit with Jim's mom Edna Blain. While they were here, they also celebrated Edna's birthday.

 SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays this week are Kathy Bond Peek, Judy Wood Garrison, Becky Hoven, Jessica Hoven, Felicitie Knight, Debra Holland, Audrey Petterson, Sara Fletcher, Katy Goble, Betsy O'Connor, Avery Elliott, Judy Pedersen, Krystal Ellison, Jonas Owen and Karalin Reynolds. Celebrating their anniversaries this week are Brandon and Debbie Chamberlain, Nicholas and Becky Keithley, Jerry and Evadell Beard, Carol and Joe Abeyta and Adam and Sara Fletcher. Enjoy your special days, everybody!

 THIS SATURDAY--It's time to head over the hill for the crab and oyster feed at Rosburg Hall. This is a one seating event and it's always great fun. The tables get pushed back after the meal and the drawings are finished. Then the music starts playing and everyone starts dancing. The chicken dance is everybody’s favorite, as grandmas and grandpas, moms and dads and all the kids take part- it's a hoot!

 EXTENDED EXHIBIT-- Redmen Hall reopened today with an antique sale and exhibit. It was going to be for just this weekend, but now it's going to be for the next several weekends. That should give all of you a chance to come and visit the hall and take advantage of all the neat things they have to offer. The only difference will be that it will be held Friday through Sundays from noon until 4 p.m. through February 24 instead of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning this Thursday. For any other clarification or information, call Redmen Hall at 795-3007.

 COLUMBIA RIVERKEEPER--There will be a moderated open forum discussion on March 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Skamokawa Grange Hall put on by Columbia Riverkeeper. Representatives from the group will talk about water quality, toxic pollution levels, as well as possible impacts of the river becoming a major transporter of natural gas, coal and oil.

 BINGO--If you'd like to buy a $1 ticket to win the Red Garnet edition Samsung Galaxy Tablet 2 grand raffle prize being given away at the Wahkiakum Fair Board’s Bingo game on March 22 at Wendt Elementary’s multipurpose room, you can buy tickets now at the Skamokawa General Store or from Jason Rainey, Bill Chamberlain or myself. Tickets will also be on sale the night of the event. The winner of the tablet will be drawn at the end of the evening, so come and help support our fair while having a fun evening out of the house!

 SYMPATHY--Former Cathlamet resident Fran Karboski lost her husband Frank last week and I certainly offer her my sympathies. When Fran lived in town, she was a hairstylist who used to do my own mom's hair. Many of you may remember her from those days. She still has a hairstyling business where she now lives in Tenino. Services for her husband will be held on March 4 at 3 p.m. at the Quarry House.

 Also, former Puget Islander Al Tover passed away last week. He was born on the Island on August 11, 1934. His services will be held today (Thursday) at the Steele Chapel at the Longview Memorial Park at 11 a.m. I send my deepest sympathies to his family members.