Community activities abound

NICE--As this week began, we've had some really sunny days, which were very enjoyable. However, we started Monday morning off with temperatures below freezing and the heavy fog has made a nice layer of frost on the outside vehicles, so while the days are nice, the evenings are pretty nippy. The thick fog has hung around for several mornings and with very limited visibility, it's really essential to turn on ones' headlights so your vehicle can be more visible.

CORRECTION--Unfortunately I put out some incorrect information last week regarding the St. James doings next month. Luckily, I got a call from Rachael Wolford and she gave me the "real scoop," so please mark the following info down on your calendar: The St. James "Holiday Gift Fair" (not bazaar) will take place November 23 (not 15) and the hours will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that Saturday. Another correction is the phone number, with only the (360) 849-4181 phone number as the one to call for more information. My apologies for the error.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Oct. 17--23 are Heidi Heywood, Kathy McClain, Michele Collupy, Justin Garrison, Aron Kuller, Gary Backman, Keith McNally, Brianne Helms, Emily Elliott, Mary Heagy, Kristi Knowles, Hunter Baldwin, Debbie Chamberlain and Jennifer Kyle.

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Erik and Kim Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Boldt and Mr. and Mrs. Mathew Kyle. Hope all of you enjoy your special days!

NICE WAY TO CELEBRATE--It's hard to believe, but granddaughter Tessa Sechler turned 17 recently and what better way to celebrate it than a trip to sunny California and a trip to Disneyland! Coming along to enjoy the activities were younger brother, Luke and parents, Pete and Katie. They had to admit, it did get damp down there a couple of days, but that didn't stop them from taking in the sights, which, besides DL, meant going to the California Adventure theme park, biking, sunbathing, surfing, swimming, a trip to Balboa Island and some great eats at some new spots along the way, so they all had a great time.

FOS NEW EXHIBIT--There will be a new and final exhibit coming to Redmen Hall next week which features the artwork of county resident Mike Swift, beginning next Saturday. Mike has generously donated many of his works to the Dollars for Scholars car show over the years and so his works featuring old cars and fishing scenes are pretty well known among that group and we've always appreciated his generosity when it comes to his donations. However, many might not know that he's very well known for doing work in the Hollywood world, where his painting and expertise in the artworld is featured in films like "Stuart Little" or "Taxi." He's also known in the computer world for his works in advertising, so he's got a wide range of talents. His art will be displayed from Oct. 26--Dec. 22, with a reception for Mike on the opening day of the exhibit from 2 to 4, with refreshments served as well. Come on down to Skamokawa and enjoy the view at Redmen Hall, both inside and out, over the next several weeks.

WARRIORS--Tonight, Thursday Oct. 17, the JC Thomas Middle School Warriors football team will take on Toutle Lake here at home. The game begins at 6 p.m. and will be their last home game as the one next Thursday, Oct. 24, will be held in Mossyrock. Go Warriors!

MULES--There's a big football game this Friday night (Oct. 18) with the Wahkiakum Mules heading up the highway to play the Morton/White Pass team in White Pass. Interceptions and turnovers gave the Napavine Tigers just the break they needed to derail the Mule train last Friday night, but we hope they can keep from doing that and overcome MWP tomorrow night. Go mighty Mules! The JV team will take on MWP here at home on Monday, Oct. 21.

VOLLEYBALL--The Lady Mules will be in Onalaska tonight as they try to add another win to their volleyball match-ups, with another game at home on Tuesday, the 22nd and then with MWP on Oct. 24, so they are some busy gals. Go Lady Mules!

OVER THE HILL--If you're in the neighborhood of the Appelo Archives Center in Naselle, you might want to stop by Oct. 19, as they will be showing two short films in their "Finnish Film Series" begining at 11 a.m. One is "The Life and Artwork of Solveig Arneng Johnson" and the other is "Andrea Hansen - Strings Across the Sky," who was a Finnish/Canadian fiddler.

VERY PROUD--Once again, "local gal does good" could be our headline as Valle Ledtke was recently inducted into the National Honors Society for Athletic Training Students. This society is called the Iota Tau Alpha, which is part of the Alpha Kappa Chapter, which holds the standard that all members have at least a 3.5 GPA, but considering that Valle had a 4.0, she was a shoe-in for sure! Naturally her parents, Jerry and Becky Ledtke of Skamokawa, are super proud of their daughter, who has excelled in scholastics as well as her athleticism. Congratulations!

FUN NIGHT--Don't forget, the Skamokawa Resort is hosting a "fun night" at their meeting room this Saturday night, so if you'd like to take part in making some Autumn crafts, come and join them for some fun and refreshments from 6-8 p.m. You can call 795-0726 for more information or let them know you'll be attending.

NEW BOOKS--Skamokawa Vista Park Manager, Janet (Souvenir) Bryan, is the latest local to get a book out on the market and of course, it's a cook book! "Vista Fiesta, The Cookbook Born on the Columbia," is a collection of recipes of which many were favorites of hers which were made by her Mom, Marie West and other friends, so she put them all together and has created a nice recipe book for sale. We wish her good luck on this latest venture and the last I heard, they were "going like hotcakes" so she'd be ordering more, so that was great news. Congratulations to her for completing a project that was near and dear to her heart.

Also, we offer our congratulations to Irene Martin who has just published a book of poetry, entitled: "The Family that Never Threw Anything Away."

TWO FRIDAYS LEFT--We hope you've been enjoying the Two Islands Farmers Market on West Birnie Slough on Puget Island, but it's about to come to an end for the season, so you've just got this Friday and the next to go over and enjoy all that they have to offer before your opportunity is gone.

SICK--It seems it is easier to name the people who are well, rather than those dealing with allergy issues, colds, flu and other ailments lately, as just about everybody seems to have "something" right now. At any rate, we hope everyone suffering with a "bug" gets to feeling better real soon, and for those dealing with more serious health issues, we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers for sure.

NOT FAR OFF--I almost hate to say it, but I guess you know, it's not that long before Christmas is here; unbelievable! The Skamokawa Grangers are hoping that you'll spend early Christmas with us at the Skamokawa Grange Hall on Dec. 14 from 6-8 p.m., where you can have a free spaghetti dinner and the kids get a treat as well. That same night we'll also be giving away the big $300 Christmas basket (with multiple bags), so we hope you've already bought some tickets or you could buy some that night. Right now, they are available at the Skamokawa Resort's general store; a dollar each or six for $5, so it's a great deal! If adverse weather conditions were to force the cancellation of the dinner, we'll draw the winner of the basket that day anyway.

HACKERS--While I think most of us know not to fall for those email scams that say "I'm stranded in such and such country and I need money," it doesn't hurt to emphasize this right now, as several of our local citizens and even businesses, have had their email lists hacked into and are sending out these phony emails in the name of a person or business that you know, but they're truly fake. Be sure to spread the word to your elderly friends, neighbors and family members that these emails and even phone calls, are not to be taken seriously and to be sure and call another family member before sending money to anybody. They sound legitimate and many have fallen for them, so be wary and don't be fooled by these miserable hackers who prey on you with their sad stories and pleas for money!