Lefse and more at Norse Hall Saturday

WET DAY--As this calendar week began, it was a pretty doggone wet Sunday. I noticed that while it was certainly raining on Puget Island and Cathlamet, it was absolutely dumping here in West Valley, so while we may not be far apart, miles-wise, we are definitely far apart in rainfall amounts.Sadly, we win in that category by a long shot! While I wasn't overly pleased with all the rain, my cousin in California was quite happy, as it has been dry and hot there for ages. Needless to say, I told her I was going to try and send her some more of ours. We can only hope the forecasters are right and that the end of the week and part of the weekend turns out nice as promised!

GOOD TIMING--I mentioned last week about being ready in case of an emergency and lo and behold, there were two big articles from the "experts" on what to do and what items to keep on hand, so I hope you were able to clip those out of the paper and use them as a reference when you go shopping for supplies. Having lists of things made up for us can ensure that we don't forget or overlook some important but less common items, like a dust mask to filter out air contaminates, and other such items. So, here's to getting those kits together and being prepared for the worst, while hoping for the best so that we never have to use them.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Nov. 6-12 are Nicole Kaattari McKinley, Greg Parke, Bill Schwarze, Carol Carver, Diane Tischer, Tiffany Tischer, Kim Havens, Jordyn Kaattari, Lynda Jensen, Jonnie Knowles, Shannon Moore, Jeanine Moore, Ray Lindsey, Mark Helms, Paul Giaver, Jeff Hedges, Jeff Twiet, Denise Fuller, Chris Bernard, James Pedersen and Julianne Bell. Happy birthday to all of you!

Happy Annivesary wishes this week go out to Mr. and Mrs. Bob Wegdahl, Mr. and Mrs. Garland Budd and Mark and Terri Slape. Enjoy your special days!

ANNIVERSARY--I had my own anniversary of sorts this past week as it marked the 20th year of writing this column, which I find almost unbelievable! Back in the day, Mary Ann Madden was writing the column then, and whenever she was going to be away, I filled in for her. After her passing, I wound up taking her place and have thoroughly enjoyed keeping people informed about local events and fund raisers that would be coming up and doing the recaps when they were over. If you would like me to mention your latest accomplishments or that of a family member, or the birth of a new grandchild, etc., please be sure to give me a call and I'll get that written up for you. Those who do scrapbooking love to have those little published bits about their family to add to their own scrapbooks, kids' scrapbooks or diaries.

MISS IT?--Were you one of those folks who wanted some tasty Norwegian pastries but didn't make it to the Norse Hall this weekend? Don't despair, you're still in luck, as the Sons of Norway members will be selling them at their monthly Bingo game, this Saturday, Nov. 8. Doors are open at 5:30 with games beginning at 6, so come early and buy some goodies. The lefse rounds are nice to get beings you can freeze them, and then you can just take some out when you need, so stock up now!

With Sons of Norway president Jan Silvestri making sure we all had something to do, a great work crew started in making the Scandinavian goodies on Friday morning and with people in the kitchen making up the Hardanger lefse dough, another group of people rolling it out, and then five lefse hot plates going, well we were cranking them out like a well-oiled assembly line. I'm guessing Leroy Wika spent the longest time on the lefse grill that day! After that, it was time to get the krumkake irons out and get some of those made with Jan's family members making plenty of those that day. More cooking was done on Saturday and both Nancy Moore and I got to try our hand at the krumkake irons for the first time, and after a short time, we actually felt like we knew what we were doing! Sunday morning was the time to make some Spritz cookies and Virginia Ostling led the field in that endeavor, as she had just the right recipe, tools and expertise to zip through a batch of batter with her handy-dandy cookie press. Susan Brown brought in her "sandbakels" and Virginia and Jan had made "fattigmann" earlier as well.

It was great to have some new folks stop in and take part in making these speciality items and if you'd like to learn how to make them, watch for another round of lessons coming up at the beginning of the year. If you give Jan Silvestri a call, 795-8759, you may even be able to put in a special order for some goodies but don't delay as the holidays will be here before you know it.

FANTASTIC--I heard nothing but good things about two big events in Skamokawa last week, and one of them was the First Carnival and Haunted House event at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds. The kids enjoyed it and the parents said that it was really cool as well, so we were happy to hear that. Also, the Duck Inn was alive and well and hopping with ghosts, goblins, witches, and more as they danced away to the great full band sound of the King Brothers. We were happy to learn that the group is coming out with a CD real soon and can hardly wait to buy one. From the first song they played, until the last, the dance floor was a jumpin' with enthusiastic dancers and "a good time was had by all!"

There were several prize giveaways but I didn't catch the names of all of them, but I do know that Brandon Chamberlain was first winner of the evening. The winner of the costume contest in the couples category was Ronnie Cothren and his date, and in the individual costume contest, it was Roger Tover (Jr.), so congratulations to them. For their efforts, Duck Inn owner, Logan Britt, presented each of them with a new flat screen TV.

REDMEN HALL--Right after Thanksgiving, there's always a ton of sales going on out of town at the big retail stores, but we hope you'll think local and do some of your shopping right here in our area. One of the spots to put on your list for some great unique items, is Redmen Hall, and the Friends of Skamokawa hope you'll take part in their annual "Holiday Open House" Nov. 28 from noon to 4 p.m. There will be special guests, music and treats. Our local artisans will have their wares for you to see and buy. You will be able to enjoy this holiday spirit and special items up until Dec. 14, but remember, the hall is only open Thursdays thru Sundays, (12 to 4) so once this Holiday Open House begins, the time is limited to get up there and purchase some unique items.

FOOTBALL OVER, BB BEGINS--It's almost time for the basketball season to begin as the kids start practicing in about 11 days and then start their seasons with a jamboree and then multiple games a week. The Lady Mules varsity team will have a jamboree at RA Long on Nov. 29 and the boys will have one at Mark Morris on Dec. 1. The Mules JV and Varsity teams will have their first home game on Dec. 4, with the JV game beginning at 5:45 p.m., with the Varsity team following it. They play at Pe Ell on Dec. 9. The JV and Varsity teams for the Lady Mules will be playing their first game of the season away at Adna on Dec. 5 and their first home game will be on Dec. 10 against Pe Ell. With 20 games scheduled for the season for these teams, we hope you'll be able to catch a few of them. The regular season is over the first week in February, with district and regional championship games held after that, so all I can say is Go Mules! Here's to a great basketball season!

SPECIAL GIFTS--For those who really don't want any more "stuff" to dust, why not give them a gift that most folks can use, like a gift certificate to a local eatery or maybe a credit toward their electric or water bill or credit at the grocery store. Do you have some sports enthusiasts in your family? Why not give an early gift of a basketball pass for those folks? Most of all, we hope you'll try to shop local and support those that are so great about supporting our many fund raising events in the area as they truly deserve your business.

ELECTION OVER--I don't know about you, but I'll be glad to see the elections over with, as some of the commercials on TV were getting mighty old and repetitious, and of course, were totally contradictory of each other. At any rate, I'll welcome a soup or cereal commercial any day! Now let's hope all the folks who were running for office will go around and pick up their signs and banners from every nook and cranny along our roadways and let's have those who were elected, move on with the tasks at hand!

OUT OF THE PAST--During this same week in 1944, Nov. 6-12, it was stormy and wet for five straight days before turning clear and cold. It was extra busy on the telephone board Grandma Everest reported. After attending the BPW meeting regarding post war activities, it was off to the lodge meeting for Grandma Elsie. While they were there, they learned that Ellen Irving had to go to the hospital and Willadean Hollar had to undergo an operation for appendicitis. Also, the siren in town went off and Mrs. Shamley reported that Bud Darris had gone off the city dock and into the river. The PUD used their big equipment to retrieve the car in the wee hours of the next morning and everyone was sad to learn of Bud's death. In election news, President Roosevelt won the race against Mr. Dewey and Democrats were winning "all over." There were parties all over town Grandma said. After a busy morning on the telephone board once again, Grandma Elsie took a break and had lunch with Ruby Hanigan. Sadly, on the evening of Nov. 9, Ellen Irving passed away. That same day, Helen Loberg had a baby boy which was named Larry. Pvt. Orville Mott of the Marine Corp returned to Camp Pendleton in California after spending a week with his wife and daughter in Longview. With the weather turning cold, it was time to cook up a roast, bake some apples, put together a fruit cake and bake it up along with some doughnuts, some of which she sent to son, George who was in the Navy. After the cooking was done, it was time to walk up to Rosedale and by evening, it was time to crochet and read; a busy day indeed.

In 1949, it was nice on Nov. 6, but it was wet the rest of the week with a bad rain and wind storm on Nov. 11. There was big news that week in Wahkiakum County as they made the final payment on the Puget Island bridge, which had been built 10 years prior at the cost of $500,000. There had been talk of financing this venture for 10 years prior to the bridge being built and during the 1930 general election, a $100,000 bond issue was passed. Other monies came in from the state legislature, federal grange and a state welfare department grant to make this all come to pass.

In 1954, the week began with a beautiful day but then turned to rain, with only one other decent day which was Nov. 10. Krist Pedersen turned 41 years old on Nov. 7. A night out to the show took place that week but the show was so bad, Grandma didn't even bother to list the name of it! In the telephone office, the workers drew names for Christmas. Gertie Healy and Grandma Elsie headed out to have their hair done prior to going to the Harmony Club sale, where Grandma sold the four aprons she'd just made.