Local tavern now open with new owners

MIXED BAG--Last weekend was a mix of weather, as we had some heavy rain at times, then lighter showers and even some gloomy but yet, dry spells, so we hope you were able to get out during one of those dry times to do those outdoor chores which seem never ending, even during the Fall! The week ahead looks to be a mixture too, but then, afterall, it is October, so we can't expect it to be super nice all the time. As I write this however, the sun is out after a very foggy morning, so we'll enjoy the sun's rays while we can!

HURRICANE--Hurricane Matthew certainly made a mess of the southeastern part of the US, but it didn't hit Florida with a direct hit by coming inland, like they had feared, so while it was certainly not good, the outcome was much better than it could have been. We had a couple of former Skamokawa gals in harm's way and we were happy to learn that they were okay. Becky and Jerry Ledtke were worried sick when they heard about the hurricane as their daughter, Valle, and Becky's sister and family were in a targeted area, but fortunately, they came through it all okay, so that was great news. St. Augustine was a mess, but the family was fine, so a huge relief there! Jamie Hjaltalin, who used to live out here in West Valley, was still sitting in the dark up in North Carolina some 24 hours after the storm was over, but she was alright, which certainly made her Mom, and our postal carrier, Sharyl Iblings, happy. I had family there as well, and was happy to hear that Dawn (Pedersen) Macchione and her family were all okay too. Our 1967 classmate, Sharon McKie said she was on the other side of the hurricane and was fine, so again, we were happy to hear she was just fine.

For those that lost a loved one during this storm, we certainly mourn your loss, and for those that lost their homes and/or animals, we certainly will be thinking of you at this extremely stressful time. Please remember those in Haiti, as they lost hundreds of people and are truly devastated there.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Oct. 13-19 are Cameron Collins, Josie Parker, Aron Havens, Russ Poppe, Lindsey Brown, Keely Scott, Ami McKinley, Randy Kuhn, Dixie Anderson, Keith McNally, Heidi Heywood, Mike Phelan, Davey Hoven, Kathy McClain, Randy Zacher, Curt Moore, Debbie Chamberlain, Hunter Baldwin, Jennifer Kyle and 67'er Mary Toste.

Celebrating their anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Reid, Mr. and Mrs. Brent Mahitka, Joe and Sheryl Weaver and Matthew and Lori Kyle. May all of you have wonderful celebrations on your special days!

MULES AWAY--Our Mules football team will be away once again, Friday, Oct. 14, so if you're able to travel, you'll need to head to Toledo to cheer on our team. Good luck boys!

The Lady Mules are away at Adna on Oct. 13 (today) but they'll be home on Oct. 18 when they host Mossyrock. Go Lady Mules!

The Mules Cross Country team will be in Mossyrock for the League Championships on Oct. 20, so we'll be hoping for a decent day and good results from them as well!

The mini-Mules won big over their opponents this past week, so kudos to them also!

NOW OPEN--After being closed for awhile now, the former "Oasis Tavern" (and also Mexican Bar & Grill), located near the Wahkiakum Co. Fairgrounds, is now open for business. After hearing that they would be open at 6 a.m. this past Saturday morning, Oct. 8, we had to go and say hello and check out the place. Of course, I did not go over there quite that early, but that will be handy for all those super-duper early risers! Behind the counter are new owners, Ric and April Murdock, and beings they are also making the building their home, much like the Koziels did way back when, they are definitely hands on owners! April tells me that Ric is the early bird, so he'll be the one greeting you with that morning coffee and she'll be down a little later on. The new name for the place is "The Roadkill Saloon" and you're going to get a kick out of the names of their new items on their menu. April told me she's not quite ready to put out their full menu, but be sure to stop by or check their Facebook page, for when they're all set and ready to go for those special menu items and their kicky names, it'll be a real hoot!

A hearty congratulations to the Murdocks as they join the Skamokawa business world! The Saloon will be closed Monday and Tuesdays, but they are open Wednesday through Sunday at 6 a.m. and they will be open until 10 p.m. each of those days except for Friday and Saturday, when they will be open until midnight.

If you're looking for some work, they also have several different positions that they'd like to fill, so either stop by or contact April at 360-606-0179.

NEW EXHIBIT--If you didn't catch the opening of the new exhibit in the River Life Interpretive Center at Redmen Hall this past weekend, I hope you'll be able to come by this week, Thursday through Sunday, noon to four. The exhibit, entitled: "Tsuga - A Tsunami of Art" is a wide variety of artist styles from those who show their works at the Tsuga Gallery in Cathlamet, so there are paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry and more. Now is the time to do a little Christmas shopping before the rush is on, and these would make some unique and awesome gifts!

MUSEUM--The Wahkiakum Historical Society Museum is looking for some board members, so if you're interested in helping to preserve our local history, and have a little time to spare, please contact Judy Brawn at 360-562-1925. Better yet, come to their annual meeting scheduled for November 5 at 11 a.m., for a potluck lunch and meeting at the museum. Their usual meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 3 p.m.

The Museum did quite well at the County Fair this year and was awarded the Manager's Choice ribbon, so kudos to all those that worked on that. This year, Hans York was in charge of collecting uniforms from the various military outfits, so the Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard were all represented. The museum will be open Saturday and Sunday through this month, 1-4 p.m., so if you missed the display, it is currently at the museum for you to check out.

The museum closes during the winter months on the last Sunday of October and will reopen on the first Saturday in May, but if you happen to have a group or a bunch of family coming into town that is interested in taking a tour, you can contact Kari Kandoll at 360-849-4353 and she could arrange to open it up for you. (Of course, a little advance notice would be nice!)

The museum receives no county funds, so if you would like to help out by becoming a member, that would be great, or maybe you would be willing to give them a Christmas gift in the way of a donation. That would be awesome! Sometimes the people on our gift list don't really need more things so a gift made to the museum in their name, might be appreciated. Also, if you have something you'd be willing to donate to them to be used in a fund raiser for next year, that would be fantastiic. Just call Judy and let her know. This museum is a representation of your county's history and showcases many wonderful items that were generously donated to keep our history alive, so if we all chip in a little, it will make a big difference!

Please send all donations to Wahkiakum County Historical Society, P.O. Box 541, Cathlamet, WA 98612.

GET WELL--According to Pam Elliott's hubby, Layton, he had to take Pam down to OHSU this past weekend as Pam wasn't feeling so good, so we want to send her some get well wishes. We heard that after many tests, she was released, so by now, we hope she is feeling much better and stays out of those hospital places! Take care Pam!

SYMPATHIES--Former Wahkiakum County resident Frank Corbin and his family are mourning the loss of his wife's Mother, so we want to send them our sincerest condolences. The couple had travelled to the Philippines to be with Beth's Mom prior to her passing, so she was surrounded by her loved ones when she passed on. Frank is the son of former Puget Island residents, Phil and Nancy Corbin.

SIDE TRIP--It had been years and years since we'd been there, but hubby, Bill and I took a little trip to Leavenworth recently, and we sure enjoyed ourselves. Well, part of us didn't, as our feet were complaining after pounding on the cement sidewalks and taking the many stairs up and down to try and take in everything! Their Ocktoberfest was coming up that next weekend, and so it was nice to go mid-week when things weren't so crazy, as the crowds there can be over-whelming, especially for us country-bumpkins, who think more than a dozen people are way too many! At any rate, we enjoyed the break but it was mighty nice to get back home to one's own bed and of course, the kitty cat was more than happy to have her peeps waiting on her hand and foot again!

SO SAD--While the world marches along, with big storms taking the news over, along with the presidential shenanigans and debates, our men and women in blue are losing their lives in more horrific and senseless ways. There were five such losses just recently and another shot and another kidnapped as I write this. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers and remember that while there may be a few bad apples in the barrel, most officers are good-hearted, hard working, family men and women who have made huge sacrifices to protect you and yours. Our sympathies go out to those that have lost their lives in the line of duty and we will continue to pray for the safety of others. While marches over everything else seem to be taking place, where's the one being held because "Blue Lives Matter?" Please help support our men and women in blue!