Time to get ready for Mother's Day

NEW MONTH-- Here we are at the beginning of yet another month. The time is just flying by! This month starts the beginning of a super-busy time around our area, but I have to say, I feel like we've had lots of goings-on already. Having it get even busier means we'll be hopping from one thing to another faster than a frog in a frying pan! Hope you've got your running shoes on, as it's time to hustle.

THIS SATURDAY-- To start the first weekend in May off, the Columbia River Kayaking group is having an Open House this Saturday at their new location at 957 Steamboat Slough Road. Everyone is welcome to attend this gathering.

SAYING GOODBYE--For those of us who enjoyed the maple bars and other goodies that Sassy's had to offer, you've got just a few days left to enjoy them as their last day is this Saturday. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. they are having a Cinco de Mayo party and saying their goodbyes with an everything must go menu. Head there for the last of the tasty treats, and check out the consignment items that are on sale too. You'll be able to get some good deals, so stop on by the shop on Main Street in Cathlamet and say goodbye while picking up a bargain.

THIS SUNDAY--It's time for tea, and whether you're on the east side or west side of KM Mountain, you've got a place to go and enjoy your day and visit with your friends over a cup of tea. The Sons of Norway will be holding their tea at the Norse Hall on Puget Island from 2 to 4 p.m., so head to the island for a nice, relaxing afternoon for $5.

If you're near the Rosburg Hall on Sunday, their doors will open at 11:30 a.m. so you can come in and check out the raffle prizes and then enjoy lunch and tea at 12:30 p.m. The suggested donation for their luncheon is $8 with raffle tickets costing $1.

CONCERT--Also this Sunday, you'll be able to hear beautiful music coming from the Pioneer Church in Cathlamet from 3 to 5 p.m. During that time, you'll be able to listen to a group of acoustic guitar players who play a variety of styles of music, everything from classical to contemporary. If you purchase your ticket online or at The Eagle office, they are $10, while it will be $15 at the door. Check out http://www.musicalheretic.com to save the five bucks, or stop by The Eagle office on Main Street. But whatever you do, try to attend this concert featuring Sandy Docker, Alex Docker with Kyleen Austin, Rick Nelson, and Randy Williams and Michael Dowers with singer Christine Payne-Towler this coming Sunday afternoon.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays this coming week are Conner Emlen-Petterson, Stan Thacker, Lori Parke, Tami Bosch, Rosie Hicks, Stephanie Moonen, Sweet Pea Snow, Orville D. Lindsey, Dan Cothren, Jeff Ostling, Brandi Thomas, Erval Cooper, Matthew Freeman, and my grandson Austin Good.

Those celebrating their anniversaries this week are Mark Whitaker and Shannon Meeker, Treasure and Michelle Collupy, Gary and Sandie York, Matthew and Katrina (Pedersen) Freeman, and Mr. and Mrs. Terry Everman. Hope those anniversary celebrations are very special for you!

CELEBRATING--My former classmate Kathy Bond Peek has put on her "Grandma Brags" shirt once again, as she is now the proud grandma of grandchild number six, Blake Kathryn Peek, born the third week of April. Another person sporting that brag shirt is Lynn Good Fancher, as she now has granddaughter Isabelle to spoil! Congratulations to Don and Kitty Speranza, who were blessed with another grandson on April 29 in Seattle. He weighed in at a hefty nine pounds and two ounces, but at the time of this writing, still did not have a name. Congratulations to the grandparents and the families of these new babies!

It sounds like fellow 67'er Ed Bussone is going to be a grandpa again in June and the Pedersen family will be adding a couple more to the family tree when Adam Pedersen and wife Samantha have their baby girl in June and cousin Dawn Pedersen has her baby in the fall.

NEXT WEEKEND-- Speaking of birthdays, Carlton Appelo will be celebrating his ninety-first birthday at the Appelo Archive Center in Naselle from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 11, so you're invited to come and share his special day and enjoy some cake.

MOTHER'S DAY-- I'm giving you fair warning: it's Mother's Day on May 12, so all of you husbands and kids, you've been forewarned. Don't forget Mom on her special day! Whether you go and get a nice hanging basket from Danny Silverman’s Skamokawa Gardens Nursery, treat Mom to dinner at the Duck Inn, or give her some pretty jewelry made by local Becky Ledtke, available at the Skamokawa General Store, you can't go wrong as long as you do something.

Forty-five years ago I gave my Mom a new grandson on Mother's Day, so she was pretty happy about that and I was pretty pleased with my gift of my firstborn son that day. While that's probably not going to be on your gift list, I do hope you'll be creative and surprise Mom with a great treat! A hug, a phone call or a homemade card will go a long way.

VIDEO STORE-- Skamokawa resident Carla Keilwitz is the owner of The Video Store in Cathlamet and she's got a great selection of movies for you, including all the latest new releases and over 3500 others. There's also a big selection of games for those who like to do that sort of thing and some yummy snacks to enjoy while you watch your movie or play your game.

NICE TREAT--Recently, guests at the Inn at Crippen Creek at the end of Middle Valley on Oatfield Road were treated to the music of Andrew Emlen and Jeffrey Reynolds as hosts Don and Kitty Speranza held a private concert for the Road Scholars one evening. Anyone who has ever heard Andrew and Jeffrey play know that they are amazing musicians and their talents are a real joy to witness.

MORE MUSIC-- Sunrise Fletcher says that his new group, Blind Luck Combo, has been in the recording studio and so this trio of musicians will have music ready to buy and enjoy whenever you want. Sunrise is joined by the above musicians, Andrew and Jeffrey, for an array of ukulele, cello and violin music as well as vocals. An old friend of mine from back in the old garage band days, Ron Baldwin, was on hand to deal with the sound while they recorded everything. I’m anxious to hear how it all turned out.

DAIRY REP--When Marissa Apperson was just a little girl, she was a regular fixture at the Duck Inn, helping her Grandma Judy Smith do just about anything that needed to be done. Now she is all grown up and was recently crowned the Lewis County Dairy Ambassador. She's been active in 4-H, taking part in the fairs and showing her cows, so this is a perfect fit for her and well deserved. Her parents and Grandma Judy are very proud of her, as are all of us who know her. I send my congratulations to her for winning this title and I know she'll make a terrific ambassador for the dairy industry!

CAR SHOW--In less than a month, there's going to be shining chrome, flashy paint jobs and roaring engines parading through the area as the annual Dollars for Scholars Car Show will be taking place on June 1. I hope you'll come down to the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds and check them all out. If you want to enter a car, do it now to get the early entry perks, as the deadline is May 20. High schoolers, don’t forget you can enter your cars for free!