Former employee returns to P.O.

BEEN SUPER--I think most of us would agree that it was a terrific weekend weather-wise and with so many things to do beginning with several "grand openings" last week, it was nice to enjoy them in the sunshine. Looks like we'll have a little damp weather earlier in the week, but by the time you read this we're supposed to be drying out and have another great weekend, so I'm sure we're all looking forward to that as we'd like the sun to be shining for the special weekend coming up.

MOTHER'S DAY--As I said above, there's a special weekend coming up as it's Mother's Day on Sunday and that means treating Mom or someone who is like a Mom to you, to a special treat! At any rate, here's to all the Moms out there: Happy Mother's Day to one and all!

REDMEN HALL--After taking Mom out for breakfast or lunch, we hope you'll take her up to Redmen Hall to hear the beautiful voice of Kerrie McNally as the Friends of Skamokawa host their second event in their series of "Second Sunday Concerts." There is a $10 admission fee, with children costing just $5 and Kerrie will have her CD's for sale as well. I'm told she'll be singing some of her new songs that day. The concert begins at 2 p.m., and ends at 4.

GRADUATING--Speaking of Kerrie, she is a proud Mom, as well as an awesome singer, and she was super happy to share with me the fact that daughter, Marie Allen, will be graduating from WSU this week. From the time she was little, Marie showed her love of animals and need to help them, so it's quite fitting that she entered the veterinarian world and has been working alongside them in recent years and will now be a full fledged Vet herself, so "Congratulations" to her!

PROUD TOO--Another proud Mom is Sharyl Iblings, as her daughter Jamie is doing really well in school and is sporting all A's right now. Jamie is going for her BA in Pychology with emphasis on human services, chemical dependency and child and adolencent studies. Congrats to her for doing so well as she furthers her studies and career options.

EXTRA SPECIAL--We've got some great daughters around here I see, as Valle Mae Ledtke, daughter of Jerry and Becky, not only graduated from Florida International University last Monday with a Master of Science Degree in Athletic Training, but she also received the Academic Excellence Award for 2015, as she had the highest grade point average of her graduating class. This also means that her name will be inscribed on a plaque that will be permanently displayed at the Dept. of Athletic Training there at FIU. How wonderful is that? Congratulations Valle! Needless to say, Mother and daughter had plenty to celebrate after the ceremony!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 7-13 are Stan Thacker, Pat Thacker, Ashleigh Montgomery, Evan Quigley, Bryce McClain, Christeena Bassi, Rosalie Webb, Lori Parke, Tami Bosch, Erval Cooper, Kay Cochran, Ashlenn Coleman, Vickie Bergseng, Sage Miller, Erica Nepsund, David Rust, Ashley Jorgensen, Mercedes Pedersen, Leslie Monroe and oldest son, Pete Sechler. Hope all those birthdays are super special this coming week!

Happy Annivesary wishes go out to John and Sharon Buennagel, Gary and Sandie York and Frank and Carolyn Pedersen; enjoy, enjoy!

STRAWBERRY TIME--The Wahkiakum Lions Club wants to remind you that it's time for their ninth annual berry sale, so to order those wonderful berries just look for the order form in this paper, or around our local stores, and get those forms turned in by June 2, so that you can pick them up by June 6. Proceeds go to help the many programs sponsored by the Lions Club organization, such as glasses and eye exams, hearing programs, diabetes awareness programs, helping the elderly, youth camps and more.

BIG TURN OUT--The parking lot up at Ostling's Seafood and More spot, as well as Lulu's Burger Bar was just packed last Friday, so I'm thinking they had a pretty good weekend. With the nice weather, we saw cars everywhere, so it appears the folks around here are still enjoying eating and drinking and having a good time, so that was great!

FIRST OF ALL--The Julia Butler Hansen Refuge White-Tail Slough and White-Tail Refuge Run Grand Opening will be taking place on May 16. There is a full list of events, with bird watching on the trail beginning at 9 a.m., then the race begins at 10 a.m., canoeing up the slough will begin at 10:30 a.m., Telemetry lessons at 12:30 and Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge will host a drawing at 1:30. Call 360- 484-3482 or check out the JBH Refuge website for full info.

CAR SHOW--One of our big events before some of these others is happening at the end of this month and while I've mentioned it several times, there's always a few who need another reminder, so mark May 30 on your calendar for the big Rods and Reels Car Show ( 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) put on by the Wahkiakum Dollars For Scholars organization.By now you all know about the great cars, music, food, trout pond, etc., and of course, the great raffle tables but did you know there's more? Former Skamokawa resident, Sharon Buennagel, and owner of Sharon's Pizza and More, will be selling strawberry shortcake once again, which she not only buys but also donates all the proceeds as well, and get this: new this year will be Strawberry Smoothies. I'm sure they will be a big hit! So there you have it; one more reason to come on down to the fairgrounds on May 30! Don't forget, all car entries need to get in right away so you don't miss out on all the extras that come with early entries.

CHURCH BREAKFAST--Also happening on the morning of the car show is the annual breakfast at the Skamokawa United Methodist Church. Many of the car folk arrive early at the fairgrounds and with some time to kill before lunch is served, they head across the Sk. Creek bridge across from the Sk. Grange Hall, and enjoy a nice big breakfast of pancakes, sausage and eggs, or maybe biscuits and gravy, along with beverages for just $8. Children under 6 are $4. To top it off, the church is donating a percentage of all they make to the Dollars For Scholars fund as well, so hey, it's a great deal for everybody! They will be serving up this tasty breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m., so come and get your fill and do a good deed to boot!

SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS--When there are big events going on around town, the local businesses always get hit up for donations to help raise money for them in order to bring more people in, and we applaud all those folks who are so willing to donate money, prizes, gift certificates, etc. in order to help. To repay them for their generosity, I do hope you will shop at their stores, dine out in their restaurants and support each and every one of them as they help support us.

ANOTHER GOOD DEED--I have to admit, I was a little taken aback when I saw Tracy Ostling's new look, as she's sporting a very cropped/clipped hairdo right now. However, I soon learned that her former long locks were going to make wigs for kids with cancer, so having her hair sheared off to help others is very commendable. After all she said, she still has hair and hers will grow back shortly, while the children with cancer often have none, so that's a great attitude to have and a generous thing to do. To top it off, it will be a very easy style to take care of, so a win win for everyone I think. Good job, Tracy!

POST OFFICE NEWS--Upon a trip to our local Skamokawa Post Office, I was surprised to see former employee, Lisa Mooers behind the counter once again, but I figured she was just filling in for the day. Well, I soon learned that her position there is going to continue as it wound up not being a good fit for Brian McClain, who had taken over the job once LouAnne Hedges retired. So, once again, we have a change and we hope to see Lisa there on our half day schedule for many years to come: Welcome back Lisa! Also, it seems there were rumors that our post office is closing but from what I could gather, this is not true, as our post office is unique in its duties and should not be going anywhere, yeah! Of course, it wouldn't hurt if you constantly use it for all your post office needs and remember, things need to be done by 11:45 a.m., as the window closes at noon.

THINKING OF THEM--I just learned that former Wahkiakum resident, Pearl Cortay, is currently in a hospice care facility in Calif., and her family could certainly use a few good thoughts and prayers during this time. Those of you who have been around awhile will remember Pearl and Charlie from back in the day when they took over the Duck Inn and Chuck was working in the kitchen as the head chef (not a cook!) and was putting out some fantastic dinners. Every weekend, Pearl sat diligently in the back making those famous twice baked, triple stuffed bakers with their multi-cheese recipe and boy, were they ever good! A few years back, Pearl moved to California to be with her daughter Shawn, but her declining health made it imperative that she be moved to a place where she had access to more medical care. My heart was deeply saddened by the news of her having to be moved to the hospice center last Monday morning. She is in my thoughts for sure.