Father's Day is this Sunday, June 21

STILL NICE--Once again, we have had a long stretch of nice weather, but it still depended on where you were as to how hot you were, and night time temperatures plunged to just 40 degrees Saturday night, so that was a huge dip from the daytime temperatures. They say the week ahead looks to be a little cooler and we may even get a little bit of rain by week's end, so hopefully you've got your chores all done during this dry streak and you can kick back and let Mother Nature water your lawn and plants!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from June 18-24 are Keith Hoofnagle, Mary Baldwin, Bobby Helms, Danny Helms, Tom Parker, Lori Twiet, Martie Vavoudis, Bailey Havens, Dawn Wika, Erik Grasseth, Lori Smith, Billie Bardsley, Signe Sause, Logan LaBerge, Jack Gorley, Kay Holland, Nicci Bergseng, Joel Moore, Tara Mendez, Jerry DeBriae, Larry Horman, Monica Galliard, Barbara Hanmore, Rhonda Pedersen and Katie Sechler.

Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Mark and Rhonda Pedersen, Larri and Sally Palmer, Steve and Debbie McClain, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Montgomery, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Souvenir, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Nortrup and Phil and Elaine Rolf. Here's to having wonderful anniversary celebrations.

MORE ADDITIONS--It's been quite a year for the Vik family, as Mary and Paul welcomed in three new grandchildren this year, which now brings their total up to 11, with seven boys and four girls to enjoy! The first one to arrive this year was a little boy who was born in Espoo, Finland to Martin and Melissa Michael on February 21. They named him Joshua Martin Michael and he joins a brother, Judah.

The next baby was born to Puget Island residents, John and Jessica Vik who welcomed their son, Randy Orin Vik on April 6. His arrival evens out the family dynamics as he joins three siblings, Peter, Annelise and Emmaline.

The most recent addition was born June 7, but like the first, was born in another country, as Henry Oliver Staudinger joined his parents, Jordan and Reidun near Sylvan Lake in Alberta, Canada. He makes the fifth addtion to this family and joins Rafael, Ingrid, Katherine and Abraham.

Congratulations to all the parents and grandparents of these latest additions and we'll keep an ear to the ground for the family member that pushes that number to an even dozen grandchildren for Paul and Mary!

FATHER'S DAY--This Sunday is Father's Day so if you haven't thought about a gift for Dad just yet, you've only got a couple of days to get it all figured out. Remember, Dads love to dine out, and Dads like to be treated to a special day, which might include doing a lot of household chores for Dad and Dads like to shop for "stuff" as well, so a gift card to one of our local shops might be nice. Whatever you do, here's hoping you find just the right thing for your Dad, and don't forget a heartful hug and an "I love you" would be the greatest gift of all!

If Dad likes beer, beer bread and cheeses from our own local businesses, maybe a stop at the River Mile 38 Brewing Company in Cathlamet down near the Marina might be in order. You can contact them at 360-355-4662 for all the details.

FIRE SAFETY--If you are ever in doubt about your house being "firefighter/fire truck" friendly, why not contact your local fire department and have them come and give it a look. In the meantime, you can take a look around your house and ask yourself a few questions, like: If I had a fire, could I get a fire truck up my driveway? Would the firefighters have to battle "extra fuel" to this fire because I have a lot of wood stacked on my porch or along my back wall? Do I have an area around my house that is free of "stuff" that would make battling a fire easier for the fire department? These are but a few things you may want to check out, and the fire department can help you figure out what else you need, like fire extinquishers, fire alarms and such.

GOLF--It's time to get your golf buddies together and form teams of four, then enter the Summer Scramble at Skyline Golf Course, and see if you can come home a winner on June 28. For non-members, it's $35 to enter but members pay $30. Your entry fee also includes lunch, and $10 is taken from each entry to go towards prizes. Be sure to get those teams together now, then show up at 8:30 that Sunday morning, as tee time is at 9. Good luck and have fun!

BIG SALE--Next weekened is the big sale around Puget Island, so we hope you have fun shopping June 26-28. It's always a crowded time on Puget Island, so be watchful of cars parked along the roads and extra foot traffic as well. Check out the action in Skamokawa, too as the Grange is supposed to have a Vendor's Fair, and Redmen Hall has wonderful exhibits and a terrrific gift shop with many local talents sporting their crafts and also local authors in their book section. Don't miss out on the good food and sale at the Norse Hall that weekend as well and let's hope the nice weather is happening during that time so everyone can enjoy it more.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED--Bald Eagle Days will be here before you know it, and as usual, it's a huge job to put together and volunteers are always needed. If you can help in any way, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 795-9996 and Shannon Gildea will get you signed up. We hope you are planning on setting up a booth and/or attending this fun event on July 18, as these things are only as good as we make them!

67'ERS WILL GATHER--Speaking of fun, the WA-KI-HI Class of '67 is meeting that day (July 18) at 1 p.m., at Dale Jacobson's house on 2nd street, which is down by the marina and just past the dentist's office, for a mini-reunion that afternoon, so spread the word to all your fellow classmates and we hope to see you there. It's a potluck affair so bring a chair and your favorite food and beverage and hang out with the pals from the past for awhile!

NEED CONTACT INFO--Susan McClain Kuhn will soon head up a meeting to start the planning of The Mule Train All-School reunion to celebrate the 100th year of its existence, which is scheduled for Aug. 13, 2016. With people moving here and there, it's really important to have current information in order to get the word out to former alumni, so if you have moved, or one of your classmates have, please contact Susan at sjmcq1@yahoo.com. There were a handful of trusty people last time that helped put this thing together, and it's a lot of work, so the more folks who can help out, the better. Susan is happy to hear your thoughts and ideas on this next big doings, so please let her know what they are. When a meeting date is set up, I'll let you know, in the meantime, spread the word, as you'll have a year to plan your vacation or set that time aside for this wonderful all school reunion next year!

OFF SHE GOES--Former resident and WA-KI-HI graduate, Pete Sechler and his wife, Katie (Nollan) had the pleasure of seeing their third child, and only daughter, Tessa Jane, graduate from Ballard High School last weekend. As one of the proud grandparents there, I have to say, it was hard to believe that this "little girl" was already graduating and would be heading off to college in the Fall. I know the other grandma there, Sally Nollan, was just as proud and just as amazed that the years had gone by so quickly. Tessa was one of 383 students graduating that night.

The following day, the entire Sechler clan was on full steam ahead as Tessa's family and friends were invited to her home for her graduation party. It was a great celebration for Tessa who will be following in her Dad's and brother's footsteps as she enters Washington State University in just a couple of months, so a hearty congratulations to her and we will look forward to that day when we'll be headed to Wa-zoo for that graduation!

SHANGHAIED--The 31st season of "Shanghaied in Astoria" will begin July 9 and run until Sept. 12. Shows run Thursday through Saturday evenings (7 p.m.) and there are also Sunday matinees at various times. The fun all takes place at the Astor Street Opry Company Playhouse located at 129 West Bond Street in Uniontown, Astoria. Check them out online for full schedule times and other details at http://www.astorstreetoprycompany.com or contact them at 503-325-6104 for tickets, which are $17-$21 dollars.