Wahkiakum County Fair opens today at 9 a.m.

COOLED DOWN--Lately, I have thoroughly enjoyed the cloudier, cooler mornings before the sun came out in the afternoon as that meant things did not get so hot here as they have been inland, and that's fine by me. The heavy marine layer even gave us some damp roads a couple of days from the dew dripping off the trees and beings it's been so dry, even that amount of moisture was welcomed. However, by Saturday evening we were listening to real rain in West Valley and I was totally happy about that. As a matter of fact, I think I even heard my yard go "glug, glug, glug" as it's been awhile since it had a good drink!

A little bit of moisture does not mean the burn bans have been lifted however, as this bit of moisture was nowhere near what is needed for that, so do not burn, or zip down the roadway with a chain or muffler dragging and causing sparks to fly; it's still dry out there!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from August 17-23 are Steve McClain, Jessica Schiek, Becky Ledtke, John Gustafson, Nance Collupy, Riley Emlen-Petterson, Kay Walters, Tyna Zink, Deanna Dachtler, Vicki Gregory, Bobbie Leingang, Cindy Faubion, Linda DeBriae, Toni Sue Ostling, Daniel Tomlinson, Kody Vik, Vivian Olsen, Nicholas Keithley, Chip Perkins, Bryce Heiner, Larry Havens, Clarity Gabbard and Shannon Ellison. Here's wishing all of you a very Happy Birthday!

Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Mr. and Mrs. Russ Durrah and Ty and Kendra Finkas. Here's to you and your special days.

THIS IS IT--If you're getting this paper on Thursday, then this is the opening day of the 109th Wahkiakum County Fair! We hope you got your fair pass from either our princess or prince and will join in for the crowning of either the Queen or King of the fair at 6:45 p.m., at the Stage. A little earlier in the day, Layton Elliott will be playing on the stage from 1 to 2 p.m.

The Spelling Bee is always fun for kids to show off their knowledge of how to spell complicated words and is once again being sponsored by the Grays River Grange #124 and it will take place on Friday at 3 p.m., so hopefully all of you kids get signed up in time for that. The 4-H Market Sale takes place that evening in the Small Animal Arena, so if you're interested in buying an animal for harvesting, that's your chance. There will be Model T rides during the day, and lots of animal shows during the day and "Sacred Road" will entertain you on stage from 7 to 9 p.m. The annual Fair Dance will be held at the Skamokawa Grange Hall from 9 to midnight.

On the last day of the fair, there is always the Salmon BBQ, so don't miss out on a great lunch! During the day there are a lot of 4-H activities, Line Dancers, Horse Shoe Competition, Cribbage Tournament, a Tractor Pull and there will be more Lions Club Bingo, more music and more fun until the fair closes at 9 p.m.

There are many more things going on, so it's hoped that you've gotten your fair book and checked out the times of your favorite events and continue to support our county fair by attending and by supporting those who are vendors there as well. I know the Skamokawa Grange Hall will be raffling off a quilt and other items and the Sons of Norway are giving you a chance to win a $100 gift card for just a buck, or you can get six chances for $5; a great deal. Here's to seeing you at the fair; Enjoy!

DEDICATION SATURDAY--I hope you get a chance to go to Skamokawa Vista Park this Saturday at 2 p.m., for just a bit, while the newest historical marker is dedicated there on the site where the Skamokawa Grade School once stood. This wonderful plaque and display has pictures of the old school, which was dedicated Feb. 11, 1927, some newspaper clippings of its beginning and end, and is a great reminder of how things used to be. Gary Emery and Gary Bergseng put the finishing touches on it recently by placing the shakes on the covered portion of this historical marker, so kudos to them for their hard work. The Emerys and Kent and Irene Martin were instrumental in putting this information all together, so we certainly appreciate their work. There's a great picture of Mrs. Ray Emery up to bat in one of the baseball fields in front of the school and gym; that's pretty special! If you'd like to make a donation towards this historical marker, please send it to Gary Emery at 4 Par Drive in Cathlamet, 98612.

ROADKILL SALOON--Also happening this Saturday, is the "Rat Rodded, Rusted and Under Construction" car/truck show at the Roadkill Saloon. So, along with the fair and the dedication and lots of family and class reunions, we hope you'll have time to check out the latest of events at the Roadkill. You can call April at 1-360-606-0179 for more information.

PLAYED TO A CROWD--Once again, Scott and Jenny Pedersen were pretty proud of their son, Kristian, when he was showing off his mad guitar skills at the Clark County Fair this past week. His grandparents, Frank and Carolyn Pedersen, think their grandson is pretty special too. As far back as I can recall, we haven't had a rocker guitar player in the family, so this is a first. Needless to say, this great auntie thinks he's pretty doggone cool as well, so I just have to say "Way to go Kristian!"

FOOTBALL--The WHS Mules football team will be strutting their football skills for the first time at a home game on Sept. 7 against Napavine, so here's to a great season for these athletes. It's hard to believe that it's that time again, but it is, so here's hoping they can count on your support. Go Mules!

TICK, TOCK--The Friends of Skamokawa will host their Wine Tasting and Auction event on Sept. 9 at the Skamokawa Grange Hall and with less than a month to go, they want to make sure you've got this event written down on your calendar. This year Don and Kitty Speranza of Crippen Creek Farms, will furnish the food, so we'll be looking forward to what they bring to the table this year! Tickets are cheaper prior to the event, so save yourself a few bucks and buy them early. You can buy them at the hall, or at the Skamokawa Resort/General Store. Those in Cathlamet can pick up tickets at Daisy Chain Floral. As always, there will also be water and other non-alcoholic drinks available, and this is an adult evening. If you need more information, call 360-795-3007.

MID-SEPTEMBER--The Tsuga Gallery will hold their first Cathlamet Art Festival the week after the Wine Tasting, so this should prove to be an interesting endeavor. The event begins on Friday, Sept. 15, from 5 to 10 p.m., with a Welcome Reception and music at the gallery. Then on Saturday, the A River of Art festival will begin at 9 a.m., and end at 9 p.m. There will be multiple businesses open on Main Street where you can view different works of art, musicians, authors and poets, demonstrations, workshops, arts and crafts and more, so we hope the weather co-operates and everyone who enjoys art will come and join this day and evening. You can check this all out and get more information by going to the website: http://www.tsugagallery.org.

KITES WILL FLY--This past weekend, there were some kites flying at Skamokawa Vista Park, and they were pretty neat, but once Skamokawa Vista Park hosts its first kite festival on Sept. 23, you will really be impressed! The many shapes, colors and sizes of these kites are just awesome and against the wide open spaces and blue skies of the park, this will be a great spot to be on that Saturday!