Still time to donate to local food bank

READY?--By the time you read this, we may be in the grips of a real cold spell and hopefully you've all planned ahead for it, as it looks like it could be a doozy! Of course, we can hope the worst of it misses us and we manage to suffer a few minor inconviences. With possible high winds, freezing temperatures and maybe even snow, I'm hoping for the "missed us" part. We'll all be watching the weather forecasts closely I'm sure. We hope all our family and friends in the "cold zone" will come through this unscathed!

However, It was hard to think of bad weather last Saturday, as after the fog lifted, it was a very nice day in Skamokawa and I heard lawn mowers going and saw folks washing cars, so it was a great day. Sunday wasn't nearly as nice, as it started out a bit rainy, but it got much brighter for us a little later in two ways, as the sun began to peek out here in the afternoon, and then football fans definitely brightened up when the Seahawks finally woke up and came from behind to beat the NY Giants; woo-hoo!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Nov. 13-19 are Rory Heywood, Barry Brown, Tanner Collupy, Layton Elliott, Ashley Helms, Zachary Stewart, Jody Havens, Samantha Havens, Brian Havens, Pat Ohrberg, Virgil Cothren, Roberta Trotter, Rick Wika, Misty Holland, Hap Anderson, Brandi Seaberg, Dean Seaberg, Heidi Souvenir, Ty Briscoe, Linda Ashe, Katie Watson, Kylian Watson, Luann Davison and Erik Pedersen. Belated birthday wishes go out to Carol Blalock, Mike Parker and Elaine Britt who I accidently omitted last week. Hope you all had wonderful days! Anniversary wishes this week go out to Roy and Cathy LaBerge and Mr. and Mrs. Danny Ashe and we hope you have wonderful celebrations.

ANNIVERSARY--Former Skamokawa resident, Sharon Buennagel will be having a big anniversary of her own shortly as her pizza business in Cathlamet will be celebrating 10 years in a couple of weeks, so "Congratulations" to her!

SYMPATHIES--One of the members of our Class of 1967 has just recently suffered a personal loss, so we want to send out our condolences to Nancy Jacobsen Brady, who lost her husband, Jim on Oct. 26 in Woodland. Our sympathies go out to the rest of Jim's family as well. Also, a long time friend of mine, Sandra Holcomb, lost her husband recently, so our sympathies go out to her and the rest of their family members.

THIS SATURDAY--Redmen Hall is going to brighten up some of our days by holding a couple of "Harvest Benefit Concerts," with the first on Saturday evening, Nov. 15 when Jerry Ledtke, Pete Davis and Becky Ledtke perform at the hall. The concert will be from 7:30-9:30 p.m., with admission costing $10, which benefits Redmen Hall. If you have any questions, call the hall at 795-3007, as it is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4.

FOOD BANK--The Lions Club held their annual food bank drive last weekend but if you happened to have been gone, or just forgot, but still want to donate something, contact the food bank at 42 Elochoman Road and they'll gladly take your food items. With the holidays coming upon us rather shortly, the need is great, so we hope you'll help them out if you haven't already. If you can donate a turkey by chance, let them know as soon as possible so they don't have to buy more than necessary; let's make sure everybody has a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas this year!

NEXT WEEK--If you've got some time to volunteer and decorate for the holidays next Wednesday, Nov. 19, then just show up at the courthouse in Cathlamet at 9 a.m. and they'll put you to work. If you have any questions about what is involved, just call Ashley at the Wahkiakum Chamber office, 795-9996 and she'll fill you in.

BINGO TIME--Everyone loves to attend "Turkey Bingo," and with that coming up on Nov. 21, the Wahkiakum Fair Board sure hopes to see you at the multi-purpose room at the JA Wendt Elmentary school that evening. Doors open at 5:30 and games begin at 6. They will be raffling off a TV to some lucky winner and of course, there will be lots of door prizes to win as well as the turkeys and hams.

NOT FAR OFF--The Sons of Norway want to remind the folks with little ones to come and take advantage of a photo op with Santa when they hold their annual Christmas doings on Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Norse Hall. This will be held in the lower level with the side door open on the left side of the building. The kids will be able to pose with Santa, so bring your camera, and then they'll get to make some crafts while they are there and get a treat bag as they leave. More on this as the time gets near, but I wanted to give you a little pre-warning, as the holidays are such a busy time.

DONATE--With the holidays fast approaching, we hope you'll take a look in your closet and check out what's in there that you just don't wear anymore, and donate it to the local clothing bank. Nice, heavy coats are almost always needed by those who cannot afford one, and so if you find yourself with an extra, your donation would be greatly appreciated. Please make sure that everything you donate is clean and in good shape as clothing that is unfit to use, only costs the organization money to dispose of, so your help in keeping the "rag bag" empty is truly important and much appreciated.

MAIL EARLY--I know everyone would love it if we could get through with one holiday before we begin the next but unfortunately, according to the postal department, Christmas packages should really be mailed the first couple of days in December. Needless to say, if stores didn't do any advertising or displays until after Thanksgiving, well no one would have much time to do any shopping and businesses would lose a ton of money. I was in Canada recently and they celebrate Thanksgiving in October, which I find much handier, as then you don't have two big holidays within weeks of each other. At any rate, we hope you'll shop local and mail those packages and Christmas cards or letters early so as to insure a timely delivery and less congestion at the post offices.

TRASH--Once again I went to put my recyclables in the bins over by our Fire Dept. on East Valley road, and it seems somebody just can't help but dump their trash there! Our garbage dump is just a short distance up KM mountain and the fees are quite nominal, so there really is no excuse not to dispose of it in its proper place. If you can't, then keep it at your house rather than mess up a perfectly good recycling site that we'd prefer to keep nice and tidy and not littered with garbage! If you see anyone dumping trash there, please report it. Remember, only "clean" paper and cardboard should be recycled so no dirty pizza boxes or used paper plates or anything that is soiled or has glue type residue. Your help in properly disposing of acceptable recyclables is crucial to these programs.

There have been reports of dumping in the hills and surrounding areas as well, so if you happen to see a rig full of junk go up a logging road and then come back empty, please try to get a description or a license plate number and report them. This sort of behavior is just totally unacceptable.

OUT OF THE PAST--This week back in 1944, it was clear and cold and "just lovely" all week long. Grandma Elsie began a Post War survey at the beginning of the week and wrapped up her week by the end of that week. The Business and Professional Women's club (BPW) met in the Congregational Church basement that week for a potluck luncheon. It was held in honor of Mrs. Gertrude Ellis of Mt. Vernon, who was the state president of the club and also Marian Argo of Seattle who was the vice president. They both gave very interesting talks after the luncheon. The Everests went to the big play up at the high school: "Growing Pains," which was the same one daughter, Carol Everest Pedersen was in 12 years previously. The big news in Skamokawa that week occurred when Joyce Mooers competed and won in a state wide 4-H contest and dress revue. She won over a college gal who'd had eight years of 4-H club work, so her victory was very special. By winning this competition, Miss Mooers was entitled to a trip to Chicago, which was sponsored by the Viscose Rayon company. Joyce would be leaving on Dec. 1 with chaperones from two 4-H club leaders from Pullman.

In 1949, it was nice again all week long. It was a week of cleaning, shopping and writing cards and letters for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

In 1955, it was windy and rainy and stormy all that week with only a short break during one day for awhile. It was movie time that week with "How to Marry a Millionaire" playing in the theater.

In 1964, the week began with snow all over the ground, and it stayed clear and cold all week long. That same snowy day, Krist and Carol Pedersen arrived home from a little vacation in Seattle. Bertha Shuster was the hostess for the Harmony Club members and they were getting all set for a holiday bazaar. The following day it was off to a meeting with the Rebekahs, then off to the bazaar and then to the fair sale. By the end of the evening, Grandma Elsie wasn't feeling so great so did not go to a special meeting being held by the Oddfellows club. After feeling better a couple days later, Grandma was visited by Georgia Nelson and Mrs. Head and she enjoyed the company. It was a busy week with an Enlistment Dinner at the church, election of officers at the grange and lots of cards going out for those who had babies, and others who were not feeling well, with one of those going to Elva Mast. All this according to Grandma Elsie Everest's diaries.