Ship Channel Coffee now open

WET BEGINNING--As this week began, it was a bit on the damp and cool side, which was a far cry from the weather we ended with last week, as it was dry and up in the upper 80s. Oh well, all the greenery got a drink and at least it wasn't pouring down rain or causing any major problems, unlike some parts of the country that were dealing with massive tornadoes, flooding and snowfall.

With this second half of May well underway, we wonder if we'll stay unseasonably warm and dry or will be dropping back down in temperatures so we can replenish the disappearing snow pack. We may hate to see that happen but we'll be looking at a water shortage this summer if this warm trend continues, and that's never good.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 19-25 are Betty Koziel, Tayler Stornetta, Kris Parke, Tina Vincent, Bryson Havens, Jon Peterson, Mitch Moonen, Elle Britt, Julie McKinley, Courtney Helms, Mike Phelps, McKayla Holland, Kevin Wirkkala, Travis Heagy, Lois Nelson, Mary Jodi McClain, Natalie Emery, Bonnie Bigler, Bill Faubion, Julie Black, Doris Takko, Tiernan Cochran, Donna Palmer, Deanna Healy Ahrndt, Mary Jo Brown, Lainie Ferguson, Brenda Ferguson, Katrina Pedersen Freeman and Brandon Chamberlain.

Belated birthday wishes to Jayden LaRoche as his Grandma Janelle said it was his birthday last Thursday. Hope he had a great day! We also want to send our belated birthday wishes to Mike Iverson who celebrated his birthday at the beginning of this week and Parker Rusk turned one year last week, so it looks like I need to update my calendars a bit!

Anniversary wishes this week go out to Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Deal, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Faubion, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Cochran, the John Fitzpatricks and the Bob Byrums. May all of you enjoy your special days!

NEW BIRTHDAY--Ralph and Peggy Pedersen had a nice surprise last Sunday when grandson, Gabriel Pedersen showed up from Yakima and joined his Dad, Mark and wife, Rhonda for a nice lunch and visit with family members. His great aunt (me) joined in with the crowd and learned that Gabe and wife Annie, will be expecting a new member of the Pedersen family in December, so we're anxiously waiting to see if we'll be adding a new baby boy or girl to our Pedersen gang. Grandma Peggy said she'd like to see a great grandson, but I'm pretty sure we'll all be happy to welcome the arrival of a healthy baby, whether it's boy or girl! Both Gabe and his Dad, Mark, have December birthdays so we'll be adding to the Dec. birthday list it looks like and we'll see if maybe they'll wind up with a new baby for Christmas!

MOVIE NIGHT--As usual, Friday is movie night at the Cathlamet Community Center beginning at 7 p.m. This week there is a comedy showing for both youths and adults. This story centers around a struggling radio journalist and his sidekick who fake a war time kidnapping, sparking a manhunt, while they secretly hide out in New York City. As always, this movie is free and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Remember, you can order pizza from Sharon's Pizza and have it delivered to the center in time for the show, approx. 6:45, so call 795-3311 to set that up if you want to enjoy a good pizza and movie together!

THIS SATURDAY--Memorial services will be held for John Didricksen this Saturday, May 21 at the Norse Hall on Puget Island at noon. There will also be a short service at the Catholic Church at 11 a.m., prior to that. The local veterans organization is handling these arrangments. Many knew John from school, while others knew him as one of the local fishermen and others knew him because of his folks owning and operating "The Spar" way back when. Recently, he's been a kind and helpful visitor to my brother, Ralph, and his cheerful smile will be missed.

ESPRESSO--All you specialty coffee drinkers can now get your espressos, lattes, etc. right here in Skamokawa again, as the "Ship Channel Coffee" trailer is now back open for business, Friday through Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Yay! Of course, it's also a great place to get those smoothies and other chilled and tasty treats, so head to Skamokawa Vista Park and enjoy one of Ship Channel's many beverages in various sizes. As the weeks go by and summer rolls around, the cart will be open more often, but for now, we're happy to have the gals back at the park for those three days at least!

VISTA PARK--Speaking of the park, it was a bummer to learn that the laundromat plans have had to be changed. It seems like no matter how many times one double checks to make sure every step of the process is done correctly, and they make sure they cross their t's and dot their i's, and all systems are "a go," something or somebody, winds up putting a crimp in the whole thing; so maddening. We can only hope that Plan B will work out!

In the meantime, if you were looking to book a spot at the park for this summer, we hope you've done it already as Vista Park is busier than ever and spots are being booked up faster and faster. Call 795-8605 today to make your reservation! Summer hours are in effect now, so the office is open until 5 p.m.

It's always great to chat with people who just found the park and are amazed by the beauty of the area and the ships that seemingly float within reach at times, and of course, the flat, calm river on these beautiful hot days that we had this last week, makes for a perfect back-drop for that perfect vacation picture. A special treat to the group staying there this week was when the cruise ship, "Radiance of the Sea" came by and was headed out to the ocean after some repair work, so that big ole white ship looked pretty awesome as it glided by the beach combers.

The campers I saw and spoke to recently were also sporting some of the new clothing line that's available at the park office; like colorful t-shirts, new hats, sweatshirts and soft comfy sweatpants with new designs on them, so keep that in mind for a nice treat for yourself or even a great gift item; Father's Day is coming soon!

BERRY TIME--Once again, the Lions Club will offer buckets of fresh sliced strawberries, so this makes it their 10th annual Strawberry sale fund raiser. The berries come in two sizes: a 28 pound Economy size for $48 or the smaller 14 pound size for $28. All orders must be made by June 4, so don't delay in getting that order slip mailed in with your payment, as all orders must be paid for in advance. The order form was in last week's Eagle. Also, you can call 849-4003 or 795-3337. The pick up date will be on June 11 at either the WHS parking lot or in front of the Skamokawa Grange Hall.

METHODIST CHURCH--By now, you should all know that the Rods and Reels Rod Run will take place June 4 at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds, but prior to the show, the Skamokawa United Methodist Church will hold their annual car show breakfast for all those early birds who would like a great breakfast after getting those cars entered into the show. Beings the church is just across the footbridge from the Skamokawa Grange, it's an easy walk over to the church that's just across the highway, near Vista Park. They will serve breakfast from 7 to 10 that morning, which includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits and sausage gravy, all for just $8 for adults and for those children under six years of age, it's just $4. The church will give 10 percent of all proceeds to the Wahkiakum Dollars for Scholars program, so it's a triple win situation: you get a great breakfast for a great price, the church makes some money and more money goes for our kids' scholarships.

CAR SHOW--The annual Rods and Reels Rod Run put on by the Wahkiakum Dollars for Scholars will take place in just three Saturdays, so let's hope the sun is shining and there is a great turn out at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds on June 4. If you want to help in some way, contact Lee Tischer (360-430-4377) and I'm sure he'll be able to find a spot for you to help out, as it seems there's always a need for bodies somewhere when putting on a fund raiser as big as this one. A reminder to all you new folks in the area, this is no admission fee to come in and look around at all the great cars and you can purchase a meal ticket to enjoy the food and of course, you'll want to buy lots of tickets so that you might be the lucky winner of one of the many prizes/prize tables that are given away at the end of the day, so come on down and listen to the music and have a great time oohing and ahhing over all the fabulous vehicles! If you've got children, let them enjoy fishing in the trout pond. You might want to bring a little cooler and some ice with you to keep them fresh!

FOS--There's going to be a whole lot of music coming from the River Life Interpretive Center next month, as the Friends of Skamokawa have multiple musical events scheduled during their "Summer Musical Festival" so instead of the usual artwork exhibits, the hall will be ringing with music instead; nice!

First on the schedule will be Kerrie McNally on June 5, who will not only be singing some of her own songs from her various CD's, but from other local songwriters as well. Her latest CD will also be for sale that day. Kerrie will be accompanied by Layton Elliott on guitar. This first of six musical events begins at 2 p.m., that Sunday and costs a very reasonable, $5.

Other musical and poetry reading events are scheduled for June 11, 12, 18, 25 and 26. Call 795-3007 for more information.

OVER THE HILL--The third Saturday of this month, May 21, will see many things going on in the west end of the county, such as the American Legion Breakfast in Deep River; the Plant/Bake Sale and Soup Lunch at the Grays River Valley Center/Johnson Park/old Rosburg School; and Carlton Appelo's 94th birthday party at the Appelo Archive Center in Naselle, so if you time it just right, you can hit all three of these events! Check out the Down River Dispatches section of The Eagle and I'm sure Trudy Fredrickson will have all the info you need on those events and you can even call her 360-465-2960 if you want to know more about what's happening in that area.

OUT OF THE PAST--This week back in 1946, the days took turns being warm and nice and being cold and clear. The Ralph Everests enjoyed a visit from Earl Groesbeck that week, as well as McCarleys and Mrs. Foster. Later on that week, it was off to the Rebekah's brunch meeting with an ice cream treat at Bozeman's afterwards. Elsie Everest made a visit to Mrs. Below after church that week and had a nice visit. Harold Anderson gave Ralph Pedersen a dog that week. A railroad strike was taking place in the country and that meant a lot of delays in things, like the mail, but the President made it very clear that they needed to end it and within just one day, it was all over. Many were not happy with the heavy handed method that put an end to it. Donna Healy turned six years old that week and she had a party with 17 children in attendance and it was a real swell time! Donna's Aunt Carol (Everest Pedersen) turned 30 that week.

This week in 1961, the week began hot and was nice for a couple of days before turning misty and cool for three more and ending very nice again. It was off to the Dorcas club meeting at the Howells' for Elsie Everest, before heading out to Lilia Bunn's where Ellen Foster was visiting as well. Ralph Bunn and Ralph Everest headed to the grange hall to hear Julia Butler Hansen speak while the ladies visited. Mrs. Houchen was in the hospital with a broken hip. Grandma Elsie sent her a card. Later that week, she headed up to Mrs. Kestersen's to have some clothing items altered. A couple days later, the Everests attended the kindergarten granduation as grandson, Marshall Pedersen proudly held his "diploma" show his Mom Carol and Grandma Elsie, as well as his nephews, Tim and Mark with their mom, Peggy. Baccalaureate Service was at Wahkiakum High School that week where 37 seniors were acknowledged prior to graduation. Sharon Lloyd accompanied Donna Cook, who sang a solo, " I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked." The outside of the program featured a cross and a cap and diploma. President of the class of 1961 was James Rodal, VP was Ron Shuley, Secretary was Deanna Wendt, Treasurer was Sharon Lloyd and the student council rep was Paul Carroll. Valedictorian was Deanna Wendt and Salutatorian was Evelyn Hanson. Mr. Walter Scott Hall passed away that week at the age of 74. He had been a dock foreman at the old Shepard and Morse Lumber Co. in Westport, Ore., for more than 20 years but his last 10 years he'd been the custodian at the Wahkiakum Co. courthouse and also the Wah. Co. Bank. All this according to Grandma Elsie Everest's diaries.