Diamond dinner was again, a great success

NOT BAD--Well, after a couple of freezing nights, we're back to a drippy kind of week, which isn't too bad, as once again, we're better off than a lot of other places in the states, so we'll count our blessings.

DINNER UPDATE-- Last Saturday night, the Wahkiakum Fair Board had perfect weather in which to hold their belated Valentine Diamond Dinner at the Skamokawa Grange Hall, so with no snow, no rain and no wind, grill masters, Blair Brady and Bill Coons once again served up some terrific steaks and portabella mushrooms for the diners. While we didn't have some of our regulars there due to sports activities going on out of town and other events being held at the same time, we had a nice crowd and they seemed to enjoy themselves. It's so nice to see people actually laughing and talking with one another and not see a cell phone in sight!! Kathleen Peterson did a wonderful job of keeping the folks entertained until the big moment came to call out the prize winners, which made Mark and Deb Howie pretty happy as they won the big basket of goodies, including the diamond bracelet, so congratulations to them! I didn't catch all the winners names, but a few of them were Ivy Lou Vik, Carol Ervest, John Gustafson and Doyle Peterson, so there were several faces out there with extra big smiles on their face. Doing their usual fantastic job in the kitchen as were Janet (Souvenir) Bryan and her kitchen crew....they are magic!! I have no idea how things would get done without her, so kudos to her and her crew. Joining a couple of the usual waitresses, like Sharyl Hjaltalin and Kathleen Morgain, were newcomers Annie Hicks and Melanie Matthews, so their help was truly appreciated. All in all, it was a great night and nobody seemed to mind having a belated "sweetheart" dinner!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays this coming week from Feb. 27 through to March 5, are Whitney Kuller, Debra Holland, Audrey Petterson, Judy Garrison, Becky Hoven, Jessica Hoven, Kathy Bond Peek, Betsy O'Connor, Mayia Exum Kiest, Karyn McKinley Beech, Karalin Reynolds, Judy Pedersen, Krystal Ellison and Jonas Owen. Happy Anniversary to Brandon and Debbie Chamberlain, Adam and Sara Fletcher and Nick and Becky Keithley. Here's hoping you all have very wonderful celebrations on your special days.

SONS OF NORWAY--Don't forget, the Sons of Norway will hold their monthly meeting this coming Wednesday, March 5 at 7 p.m. at the Norse Hall on Puget Island. You are welcome to come and join them!

GRANGE--The Skamokawa Grange #425 met this past Monday evening and had a couple of guests: Christine and Don Darby of Puget Island, so that was quite nice. The two shared in our potluck dinner and we had a nice visit and we are looking forward to seeing Christine in our upcoming show, if it goes off as planned. We do need some more performers, as well as some behind the scenes people, so if you'd be interested in doing some of that, please give me a call. 795-3425

MUSICAL MEETING--For anyone wishing to be in a musical journey through the ages, the Skamokawa Grangers hope you can come to the first meeting on March 9 at 2 p.m. at the Grange hall. If you'd like to be in the show, but can't attend, please give me a call. This is a "do what you want" kind of musical/talent show as we march through the years doing different types of music, so it's a wide open field to everybody who likes to be up on stage. So, singers, actors, musicians, comedians or jugglers, give me a call and let's see if we can put something fun together!!

REDMEN HALL OPENING/MTG--The Friends of Skamokawa is happy to announce that the Redmen Hall will be reopening this weekend with their third annual Antiques Sale, so you're invited to come up to the hall and browse around all the wonderful things that are for sale. The opening will feature extended viewing times from 10 AM to 4 PM, with the following week being the usual noon to four hours from Thursday thru Sunday. Call 795-3007 for more info during those times.

Also, FOS will be holding their annual members meeting on March 16, but it will be in a different place this year, as the conference room behind the Skamokawa Store is going to be used. This will make it handier for those who don't like to climb stairs, so it was nice of store owners, Lance and Shannon Britt to donate the room for this use. The meeting starts at 2 PM with a pie social to follow along with entertainment provided by the Harmony Hearts. Irene Martin will also be speaking about her new book, and as always, non-members are also welcome to attend.

LUCKY STARS--Well, I got some news the other night that all Moms dread to hear: "We've been in a bad car accident". Needless to say, my heart skipped a beat, but my son Pete and his family and a friend, wound up being okay thanks to driving a bigger car, or else the big work van that hit them would have had its bumper right at head level with the passenger side of the car and things may not have turned out so well. With the glass exploding upon them on impact, the group did get some cuts and will be sure to be visiting chiropractors over the coming months, but they were lucky to be alive, so they are thanking their lucky stars and so am I!

MORE SPORTS--As we go into the next few weeks, there will be a change in the sports action amongst our athletes in our schools and we want to cheer them all on. I wish them all the best of luck and hope that everyone remembers that these are "extra-curricular" sports activities, or games, and we need to support them at all times, regardless of the outcome. Go Warriors! Go Mules!