Saturday is Earth Day; please do your part

GREAT WEEKEND--I wish the sun and dryness would have lasted a little longer, but if it were to show up, then we're sure glad it chose Easter weekend to be here, as boy, it's been awhile since we had two dry days together on a holiday! It didn't hurt that there were a lot of events going on this weekend as well, and nothing brings out a crowd like the big yellow globe in the sky; it was great! However, Monday arrived with more dreariness and rain. These April showers are not letting up, so it's still time for umbrellas and boots it seems. As long as snow shovels can be put away, I guess we're heading in the right direction!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from April 20-26 are Linda Mahitka, Jeri Pierce, Nancy Granger, Mike Lawrence, Nathan Frink, Fern Holmes, Max Schmitz, Fred Bennett Jr., Alyssa Braman, Susan Kuhn, Emma Helms, Macie Helms-Masterson, Kent Martin, Makenzie Anderson, Mike Snow, Marie Allen, Debbie McClain, Kelly McClain, Jason Wallin, Rochelle Wallin, Steven M. Doumit, Delaney Doumit, Seth Doumit, Sarah Doumit, Lisa Cothren, Eric Bergseng, Nathan Kincaid, Shawn Woods, Mike Swift, Max Scudder, Gwen Good Ronninghaug, Joel Peterson, Sue Edminster, Glenn Palmer and 67'ers Sandra Peterson Davis and Greg Lloyd.

Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Mr. and Mrs. Kent Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Machionie and celebrating 20 years together this week are Robert and Melody Blain. Enjoy your special celebrations everyone!

SYMPATHIES--I got a call on Monday evening telling me of the passing of one of my former neighbors, and long time resident, Pat Thacker, who I had known as my neighbor, Pat (Mrs. Stan) Cass for many years. Sometime back, Pat had fallen and had to have surgery and was recovering in Frontier, where husband, Hoby was also residing. Her death came as yet another blow to the Thacker family, and we send our deepest sympathies to Hoby and to all of Pat's friends and family members. I was told that a tentative date for Pat's services would be April 29 at the Skamokawa Methodist Church.

THIS FRIDAY--Once again, there will be a free movie Friday at the Community Center in Cathlamet, so if you don't have any other plans, here's a chance for a cheap evening out, as free is a very good deal! This movie is a documentary which says it's for all audiences although it has a NR genre. As always, the movies begin at 7 p.m., and you can enjoy some free popcorn as a snack.

FOS--The current photography exhibit at the River Life Intrepretive Center at Redmen Hall, will be there until May 7, and features three Cathlamet photographers: Teddy Townsend, Laurie Michaels and Megan Blackburn. They hope you stop by to see these great works from some fairly new and upcoming artists.

Also, if you love to hear about the fishing industry from old timers, then you might want to check out the DVD of "Work is our Joy," which gives the oral history of gillnet fishing on the Columbia, written by Irene Martin. This compliments the book written by Irene and illustrated by Keith Hoofnagle, entitled, "The Legacy of Columbia River Fishery." If you're into birds, there is a display of local birds belonging to the Willapa Hills Audubon Society, and it features birds both large and small. The Book and Gift Shop always has a large array of items, and many new ones right now, so come and check it all out during their hours of noon to four, Thursday through Sunday. Call 795-3307 for more information.

GREAT GIFT--When someone has a talent, and is generous with their time and their skills, it's always a truly heart-warming experience for those on the receiving end of these gifts. One such person is Cindy Lloyd, wife of a fellow "Slough Rat" and 67'er, Greg Lloyd. Cindy has been busy making lots and lots of knit caps, and this week, the two of them will be delivering these knit caps to the Swedish Care Institute in Edmonds, for those who have lost their hair due to cancer.

CAR SHOW--The first ever car show at the Roadkill Saloon this past Saturday, the "Bunny Hop" Car Show and Shine, was a big hit, with many cars and a lot of motorcycles. The winner of the car show was Ron Horman with his red Willys Jeep, so congratulations to him! April and Ric said they learned a lot and are excited to have another good showing at their next event, which will take place on May 13, and will be the Mother's Day Tea and Car Show, so stop by and check in with the Murdocks for all the details. We hope they get another great day to hold their event.

Prior to that car show, they will have a Cinco de Mayo party on May 5, so watch for ads and/or check out their facebook page for all the particulars!

MISSED OUT--There were a lot of things going on this past weekend but I didn't get to take part in any of them,due to a stint of recovery from some surgery I had. With a little luck, I'll be out and about before long!

NICE VISIT--Before going under the knife, I did get to visit with our Hawaiian friend, Sharon Buennagel and her mother, Dolly Hartley, so that was good timing. Beings Sharon was here for just a few days, she crammed in as many visits as she could, and enjoyed an early Easter gathering with her family, as well as made a trip up north to see Charlie and Kay Buennagel, so I'm guessing she was going to need a vacation from her vacation by the time she got back home! It was great to see her, though and we hope to go over that way one day and do a little more visiting and kicking back in the sunshine!

BIG WEEKEND--This Saturday is Earth Day and everyone can do their part individually by cleaning up around your neighborhood, or if you're in Cathlamet, you can join the "Tidy up the Town" movement, put on by the Pioneer Church Association. Call the Wahkiakum Chamber for more details, 795-9999. It would be hoped that we can convince people to quit tossing out their trash in the first place, as everyone should just have a bag in their car and throw it away when they get home. It's not that hard to do!

CHICKEN DINNER--If there's one event that is always well received this time of year, it's the Rosburg Club Chicken Dinner at the Rosburg Community Hall. That will take place this Sunday, April 23 and it doesn't last all day, so head down there after church and get that full meal deal, with that wonderful chicken dinner, complete with dessert; it's awesome! Hours are from 11:30 to 2 p.m., and the cost is $10 for adults, $5 for the younger preteen set and those who are from 3-6 years old, $3. Contact Barbara Rose for any further details: 360-465-2234.

INVITATION/SAYING GOODBYE--Also this Sunday, you are invited to come to a Farewell Reception for the Reverend Dan Schnabel and his wife, Jan, as they are retiring as pastors from the United Church of Christ. This goodbye gathering will take place from 2 to 4 at the church that is located on the corner of 3rd and Maple Street, near the elementary school in Cathlamet. Everyone is welcome to attend as the couple puts a close to their services at the end of April.

COMING SOON--The Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds will be the site of a new event this year, as professional bull riding will be happening there on July 14. This is a big deal with lots of thrills and spills, so keep watch for all the information about it, such as cost, etc. to be announced soon.

The Wahkiakum County Fair will take place August 17-19 this year, and the way time is flying, you need to start thinking about those fair entries! Just in case you didn't notice the changes at the fair in the fair manager's column last week, I'll remind folks that the free days and hours have been changed from what they had been for many years. So, as a reminder, Thursday is Senior Citizen Day/Red Hat Day and all those folks get to get in free all day long! Now instead of Friday being Kids Day, Friday is now Armed Forces Day with all those with military ID getting in free. So, that leaves Saturday as being the new Kids Day, and they will be free all day long, and not just until 4 p.m., so I think many parents are going to enjoy that. As always, help is needed to put on the fair, from folks who do flower beds, to superintendents in the various buildings and events, and early help to get it all decorated, so leave a message at the fair office, at 795-3480 if you'd like to help out.

Also, it's time to get those gowns on and be part of the Fair Royalty, so here's hoping some of our young ladies will take part in this time honored tradition and raise money for our fair, and wind up being the Queen of the Fair!