Remember Mom on this Sunday

WILD TO MILD--I hope the crazy weather we had last Thursday will not be repeated soon, as that was certainly something we haven't gone through in some time. We had sunshine, then the clouds came in with the wind, the sky turned black and then "ka-boom." The thunder started to roll, the lightning started to flash and the rains began to pour, which was accompanied by some hail in some places; just wild!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 11-17 are Christeena Bassi, Evan Quigley, Kerrie McNally, Mike Iverson, Hannah Helms, Vicki Bergseng, Kay Cochran, Angela Dickson, Erica Nepsund, Patty Ingersol, Steve Doumit, Kaelee Paulsen, Masen Anderson, Jamie Nelson, J.T. Luthi, Nikki Hoven, Mark Phillips, Frances Phelan, Stacey Wegdahl, Jayden LaRoche, Ashley Jorgensen, David Rust, Sage Miller, Rachael Blain Reynolds, Leslie Monroe and #1 son, Pete Sechler is edging ever closer to being a half century old. Enjoy those birthdays everybody!

My apologies to Rosalie Webb for omitting her birthday in last week's column as it was yesterday, May 10. Hope it was happy!

Celebrating their anniversaries this week are Jon and Brenda Peterson, Ron and Bobbie Leingang and Frank and Carolyn Pedersen. May all of you celebrate and enjoy your special days to the fullest!

FRIDAY MOVIE--The Community Center in Cathlamet, on Friday, will show an adult comedy/drama at 7 p.m. Contact the center for more information.

OPEN MIC FRIDAY PM--If you like to sing or play an instrument, or both, why not take advantage of "Open Mic Night" at the Skamokawa Grange Hall this Friday night? According to Pearl Blackburn, sign in time is at 6:45 p.m., with the music/entertainers to start at 7 p.m. Donations will be accepted to help complete the Skamokawa Grange sound system. Come sing, play, have fun at the grange hall located at 18 Fairgrounds Road.

SATURDAY DOINGS--This Saturday is going to be a very busy day as there are numerous activities going on. First of all, the Flea Market will take place at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds.

While you are in that area, stop by the Roadkill Saloon as they are holding their Mother's Day Car Show and Tea. For more information on this, call April at 1-360-606-0179.

If you're heading west over KM, stop and say Happy Birthday to Carlton Appelo, as his 95th birthday party will be held in Naselle at the Appelo Archives Center. Contact Falon Hoven at 360-484-7103 for more info.

That evening, head to the Norse Hall on Puget Island for some exciting games of bingo and those cash prizes! Cards are $5 each and as usual, the doors open at 5:30 with games to begin at 6 p.m., and goodies will be available for sale as well.

SERVICE REMINDER--Longtime Puget Island resident, Georgia Fluckiger, will be lovingly remembered this Saturday, May 13, at services that will be held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. The church is located on Puget Island on the Main Highway (SR 409).

SATURDAY & SUNDAY--There will be a clothing event at the Skamokawa Resort Saturday and Sunday. They will hold a "LuLa Roe" sale, from 10 a.m., to 4 p.m., with all of this line's favorite clothing styles and over 900 pieces to choose from.

SUNDAY IS MOTHER'S DAY--One of the big events this weekend, that you don't want to forget, is Mother's Day this Sunday. Here's hoping Mom gets flowers, a box of candy or a nice piece of jewelry or an invitation to dinner or all of the above! But we all know Moms would be just as happy with a phone call or a hug so here's hoping she has a special day arranged by those who are special to her.

Be sure to check out the dinner specials at the Duck Inn this Sunday, and remember, all the Moms get a flower as usual with their dinner. They will serve a breakfast, lunch and dinner special. Call 795-6055 for more information and reservations.

ALSO SUNDAY/NEW EXHIBIT--The Friends of Skamokawa announce the opening of their latest exhibit this Sunday, featuring four groups of local crafts people, who will showcase their wares at Redmen Hall's River Life Interpretive Center. This exhibit is called, "The Wonderful Women of Wahkiakum County" due to the fact that these four groups consist of women, so it's nice to be able to showcase all these ladies' talent. The four consist of the Skamokawa Grange Activity Group, the River City Strippers, the Cathlamet Women's Group and the Seattle Children's Hospital-Puget Island Auxiliary group. How fitting that this exhibit opens on Mother's Day, as these talented women don't often get their work shown in this fashion. There will be beading, spinning and weaving and more and sometimes one of the women will actually be there to show how they bring their craft to creation. The FOS will hold this exhibit until June 25 and as a reminder, the hall is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to four. Call 795-3007 for more information.

KAYAKING TIME--The weather is getting better and the river is looking inviting, so why not check in with Columbia River Kayaking and get yourself signed up for one of their classes or a tour? Contact them (CRK) by calling 360-747-1044 or stop by their office located on the left-hand side of the Skamokawa Landing Building on Steamboat Slough Road.

We are proud to announce that they are a $200 sponsor for the Wahkiakum County Dollars for Scholars car show this year; thanks!

ITEMS WANTED/NEEDED--Lori Brinkley of Puget Island is currently asking for your help. She has a sister who works with the animal shelters, and they are in need of old towels, blankets, sheets and other bedding as birthing season is upon them. If you have old leashes, collars and such for animals, then those too can be sent her way. Lori says you can drop them off at her house on Cross Dike Road on Puget Island, and while she's almost always there, just leave them on the porch if she happens to be away at the time.

This would also be a good time to remind everyone to spay and neuter their animals.

CONGRATS--Valle Mae Ledtke, a former resident and graduate of WA-KI-HI, was given the distinction of receiving the "Preceptor of the Year" award at Florida International University this. She has always wanted to excel in her Athletic Training career and it looks like she is succeeding. Valle is the daughter of Skamokawa residents, and very proud parents, Jerry and Becky Ledtke. Congratulations to her and her family!

RECEIVES AWARDS--Also reaping awards, was former resident, Sara Buennagel, who was all smiles recently when she won two awards at a JROTC ceremony in her new home of Hawaii. She was given the new awards for the "Best Leader with Future Potential" and "Distinguished First Year Cadet" which came with a big trophy! Needless to say, her folks, John and Sharon Buennagel, were super proud of her, as were her siblings, Abby and John.

CAR SHOW/NEW RAFFLE--The big Dollar for Scholars Rod and Reel Run, June 3, will be here before you know it! The really big raffle item this year, is a vehicle! Thanks to the generosity of Doug and Jill Martin, a black, 1974 Ford Ranchero 351, V-8 automatic with mag wheels, which runs and drives great, could be yours for just $20 if you're the lucky winner! You need not be present to win this vehicle, as the winner will be announced on Bald Eagle Day, unless of course the tickets are all sold in record time, in which case the winner may be announced earlier. The plan is to sell 500 tickets at $20 apiece. All monies raised will go towards scholarships for our Wahkiakum High School Seniors.

SYMPATHIES--We were sorry to learn of the passing of Karl Johnson Sr., on April 26. He'd just celebrated his 78th birthday on April 7. His celebration of life service will be held at the AWPPW Hall in Longview, located at 724 15th, on May 20 at 1 p.m. Our sympathies are extended to his wife, Mary Anne, his son, Karl Jr. and daughter, Carey Coleman and all their extended family members and dear friends.

Sending our sympathies to the family of Judy Garrison, who according to her husband, Cliff, passed away May 8. The couple had just celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary on April 10, and have two sons, Justin and Kenneth. Again, our condolences to all of Judy's family and friends.

PLANTING TIME--As the weather gets nicer, the planting season goes into high gear, so we hope you're doing that plant shopping in Skamokawa, at our local Skamokawa Gardens Nursery. Owner and plant specialist, Danny Silverman, has an excellent selection of plants and gorgeous hanging baskets, so if you haven't been by there lately, you really need to check out his greenhouses! If you're one of those going to the car show at the beginning of next month, you might also win one of Danny's hanging baskets, as he's one of our continuing supporters for the Wahkiakum Dollar for Scholars program.