Local creamery focus of Portland podcast

PRETTY DAMP--After a gorgeous day last Friday, which saw temperatures climb clear up to 70 degrees, the weekend was nothing at all like that! We were back to the rain and the gloom and the doom and some windy moments as well! The only thing I can say about it is that it certainly saved me from feeling guilty about not doing any yardwork, as it was definitely more of a book reading, movie watching, inside kind of day! I hear that we might wind up with a bit of decent weather this weekend, but when they say "three days" of sun, or partial sun, well, I'm a bit skeptical, but I'm really hoping it's true!

GREAT DINNER--The wet weather did not seem to deter the folks from showing up at the annual Chicken Dinner at the Rosburg Hall last Sunday, and hubby and I were a couple of those people. Besides, one has to eat, and it's even better when someone else does the cooking! The full salad bar, and heaping dessert cart really began and ended the chicken dinner just right, so if you went away hungry, it was your own fault! By the time we got done with our dinner, every table had somebody sitting in it, so it was getting busy and church was just getting out, so they had a nice turnout. Needless to say, everyone involved in this dinner, sponsored by the Rosburg Community Club, did a splendid job of cooking, serving and decorating the hall with Spring flowers, so nobody minded the rain outside!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from April 27-May 3 are Tom Blalock, Ricky Montgomery, Eva Snow, Carrie Backman, Shannon McClain, Carol Danker, Anita Hoven, Darren Olsen, Connie Luthi, Wally Wright, Wolfgang Hoven, David Faubion, Misty Havens, Jeff Ostling, Orville Lindsey, Dan Cothren, Matthew Freeman, Aaron Bernard and Abby Pedersen.

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Mike Paulsen, Tim and Margie Pedersen, Gabe and Annie Pedersen and Mathew and Katrina (Pedersen) Freeman. Here's to wonderful celebrations for all of you with special days this week!

HOME--We were happy to learn that Judy Garrison was released from the care center and is back home after being away for an entire month. Of course, no one was more happy than Judy herself, as it's no fun having to be away from your family and your own bed! We will wish Judy continuing good health so she doesn't wind up making any more scary hospital visits.

FRIDAY MOVIE--The last free movie of April takes place this Friday at the Cathlamet Community Center, and is an Adult Drama. As always, it begins at 7 p.m., and comes with free popcorn.

GOOD PR--Vicki Allenback has been very busy going from farmers markets to convention centers and more, as she touts some of her newest cheeses that she's making at her Skamokawa Farmstead Creamery here in Skamokawa on SR 4. Just prior to Easter, she was interviewed by Steven Shomier who has a couple of podcasts, and one of them is the Portland Culinary Podcast, where he goes around and interviews folks about their food businesses. Vicki even got him to say Skamokawa correctly, so hey, that was a feat unto itself! It's always great to see our local folks expand and do well, and so we hope you'll keep an eye out for the Skamokawa Farmstead products, as the cheeses are delicious and that caramel is truly yummy!

SERVICES--Just a reminder that the services for Pat (Pauline)Thacker will be held this Saturday, at 11 a.m., at the Skamokawa United Methodist Church.

SYMPATHY--We were sorry to hear about the passing of Sharon Brusco Shuley recently. We send our deepest sympathies to her entire family.

Also, services were held for Ron Whittle last week, who was the son of the late Margaret (Clark) Whittle, who was a former 1967 classmate and her husband, Wes. Our sympathies to all the members of his family as well.

REDMEN HALL--The Friends of Skamokawa are still showcasing their photography exhibit, "Moments of Reflection" but it will to come to an end on May 7 so be sure to check it out on the second floor, where the River Life Intepretive Center is located. There are lots of things to see at the hall, with lots of wonderful things to purchase at the Gift and Book Shop. Don't forget, Mother's Day is coming soon, and I'm sure she'd love a little basket full of homemade items from local artisans. There's everything from soaps to notecards, jewelry to CD's and more, so stop by Thursday through Sunday from noon to four. Call 795-3007 for more information.

SKAMOKAWA GRANGE--The Skamokawa Grange holds two meetings a month, and they are on the first and third Tuesday of each month. They will hold their first meeting on May 2, and their second one will be held on May 16. The grange hall is located at 18 Fairgrounds Road and everyone is welcome to attend their meetings, which begin at 7 p.m.

SONS OF NORWAY--Don't forget that the members of the Sons of Norway will hold their monthly meeting May 3 at the Norse Hall at 7 p.m. It's held on the first Wednesday of every month. Everyone is invited to stop by and visit members of the lodge and maybe you'd even like to join them. You don't have to be a Norwegian to join the Sons of Norway!

Also, Bingo is held on the second Saturday of each month, which means the place to be on May 13, will be in the basement of the Norse Hall, where you can win cash prizes for being that first one that hollers out Bingo! Doors open at 5:30 and games are at 6 p.m. Come join the fun!

MAY DAY MONDAY--Once again, it's time for Maypoles and dancing and surprises of flowers and all that fun stuff; well, it used to be. I'm not sure the old ways of celebrating the day are still taking place, but I remember enjoying my neighbor's granddaughter dropping off some flowers for me, and it sure brought a smile to my face. I do hope you have a wonderful experience this coming Monday and that the start of yet another month begins with some tranquil and happy moments for you.

CINCO DE MAYO--May 5 will be next Friday and here again, we hope you are enjoying this day in celebration and a good time. According to April and Ric Murdock, owners of the "Roadkill Saloon," they will be having such a party from 6 to 8 that evening, so you might want to check that out at 8 Fairgrounds Road.

CAR SHOW COMING SOON!--With the time flying by, we'll soon be seeing and listening to hot rods and classics, as they show up for the "Rods and Reels Rod Run" on June 3. It's put on by Wahkiakum Dollars For Scholars, which gives the money made to our Wahkiakum High School's graduating seniors, so it's a great group to support and it's an awesome event to come and see! Besides hundreds of awesome vehicles, there's food, music, a free trout pond for the kids and fantastic raffle tables to win for the lucky ticket holders. If I have hit you up for a donation in the past, you can be sure that I'll be ringing you up, or knocking on your door soon, as I know you'll want to be a $200 donor, which gets your name on this year's T-shirt! Needless to say, I'll need the confirmation soon, so if I don't contact you, please contact me so we can be sure to get you included. I'd like to thank all my regulars for being so generous over the years, and here's kudos to you for being so wonderful in your support of this awesome fund raiser for our kids' future!

CLASS OF 1967--The members of the Class of 1967 are invited to gather on May 27 at the Masthead Restaurant in Longview on Ocean Beach Hwy at 1 p.m., for a little lunch and to talk about the upcoming 50th Year Class Reunion.

If you can't come to the meeting in May, please give me a shout and let me know if you have any thoughts you'd like to share, and if you're coming to the reunion, let me know so we can begin a head count to make sure we have plenty of food!

CONGRATS!--I think it's really awesome when a local business can expand itself in a coast to coast operation, and that's just what "C & H Classic Smoked Fish" has done, so a hearty congratulations to them. They have put in a ton of hard work and have produced an awesome product, so it's no surprise to me that they have succeeded in spreading their wings clear to the east coast; good job!

CHANCE TO BE INVOLVED--It seems that every year, at every event, we hear some complaints about something. Sometimes these complaints are with merit and other times, not so much. Coming right up is the Bald Eagle Day festivities in mid-July, and if you'd like to help out and make it better, now's your chance to share your thoughts and ideas. The first BED meeting has taken place, but the next one will be held on May 18, so please join the group at 4 p.m., at the Scarborough Meeting Room, which is located at 102 Main Street, and that's right next to the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce office. Many hands make for light work, and if you or your group/organization or what have you, see an opportunity to help out and improve on this one-of-a-kind event, you're more than welcome to jump right in there and help. For all those vendors who would like to take part, the applications are ready and you can stop by the Chamber office and pick one up. Remember, besides having a great "jump out at you" poster, one of the best marketing tools we have in spreading the word about this event is word of mouth, so talk it up! Tell your friends and family and get them to come down to this really unique day and share in the activities, support the local organizations and have an all-around, old fashioned kind of fun day!