Kites will be flying at Vista Park on September 23

WET, WET--As this week began, we had quite a bit of rain and wind too! With all the dry forests around us and the fires raging in so many parts of the PNW, it was really a welcome relief, and it beat the snow that Montana got, as I'm not quite ready for that yet! By the end of the week, we are supposed to have some drier weather return so that will be a relief to all those with outdoor plans for the weekend. In the meantime, I'm listening to the roar of some thunder and hearing there are water spouts along the coast; wild Monday for sure!

KITES WILL BE HERE--Speaking of one of those plans for the weekend, we hope we get to enjoy a return to nice weather for Saturday, as the First Annual Skamokawa Vista Park Kite Festival will take place that day! Sept. 23 from 10 to 5, you'll be able to come to Vista Park and see all the wonderful, colorful, big and small kites that will fly over the beach that day, so pray for a decent day along with some wind! Don't forget, you're welcome to bring your own kite and join the fun, and there will be vendors on site as well. Here's to a terrific First Kite event at SVP!

LAST OF SB SERIES--Also being held this Saturday, the last of the Silver Buckle Horse Series will take place at the fairgrounds, so whether you're taking part in it, or just want to watch, head to the Wahkiakum Fairgrounds this Saturday and check out all those horses and riders!

While you're there, the Wahkiakum Fair Foundation will hold a silent auction and bake sale, as well as selling raffle tickets for that gorgeous wooden glider that was made by former resident, Frank Webb. This will be your last chance to buy them, so don't miss out on your chance to win this beautiful glider.

This is also an opportunity for you to pick up your premium checks for those items you got ribbons for. Also, there were a few people who entered things, but they did not come and pick them up, so now is your opportunity to do that. That's all going on this Saturday, so be sure to stop by!

BUT FIRST--Before the kite festival, and the Silver Buckle Series, you'll want to check out the events on Friday, which include the Friday night movie, which is free as usual, and it also takes place at the usual time, 7 p.m., at the Community Center in Cathlamet on Main Street. This week, there will be an adult drama for your viewing pleasure. As always, you will be treated to free popcorn, and all children up to age 12, must be accompanied by an adult.

GO MULES--Another Friday night happening, is the Wahkiakum HS Mules football team against Raymond, at home, and all varsity games begin at 7 p.m., so here's to making a come-back and winning this next game. Go Mules!

The Lady Mules will play their next volleyball match at home against Morton/White Pass tonight (Thursday) with varsity playing at 7 p.m. Go get 'em Ladies!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Sept. 21-27 are Tracy Carroll, Monte Longtain, Sam Longtain, Shona Heywood, Matthew Keilwitz, Rownen Vegvary, Ty Norris, Brett Havens, Sue Kuller, Marie West, Leah Clark, Shannon Lewis, Dan Turner, Linda Newton, Anita Mosteller, Edith Erickson, Barbara Shaver, Laura Norris, Karla Kyle, Lori Kyle and Isabella Macchione. May your birthday celebrations be everything that you want them to be. Belated birthday wishes go out to Linda Elliott and Wade Cothren. Seems I've been missing a lot of folks lately. Sorry about that!

Happy Anniversary wishes this week go out to Chuck and Sheran Parker, Matt and Marsha Helms, Tom and Tami Bosch, Mr. and Mrs. John Burdick, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Doumit and Phil and Ivy Lou Vik. May your anniversaries be extra special this year!

NEW OWNERS--If you've been up near the Video Store in Cathlamet lately, owned by our Skamokawa resident, Carla Keilwitz, you may have noticed that she has some new neighbors at the Thrift Store next door. Jay and Karen Renee now own and operate the store and their days and hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday, 12 to 5. Stop by and say hello and see what kind of a deal you can find. While you're at it, go see Carla and rent a couple of movies!

NEW BUSINESS--If you'd like to have something made of leather and have it locally made, look no further than to Kylie Thacker. She is the daughter of Becky Thacker and the late, Stan Thacker. Kylie is making purses and wallets and more at Truant Leather Company, which you can look up on Facebook or on Instagram at #truantleatherco. With Christmas coming shortly, this would be a unique gift to give to that special someone, or even yourself, as you're special too!

RECOVERING--I got a call from Susan Patterson and she told me that her husband, Robert, had been in OHSU for a week, but was now recuperating at the Frontier Care Center in Longview. She is happy to have him a little closer and hopefully he will be able to come home soon. We want to send our get well wishes to him and here's to a swift recovery period for him.

SONS OF NORWAY--All are welcome to attend the monthly meetings of the Sons of Norway at the Norse Hall on Puget Island, which are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. They also hold their regular bingo games on the second Saturday of each month, so be sure to jot that down on your calendar. The bingo games begin at 6 p.m., with doors open at 5:30; have some fun and maybe you'll win a cash prize!

CONDOLENCES--Karen Lawrence, wife of classmate, Keith Lawrence, notified us that Lorraine Lawrence passed away this past Sunday, Sept. 17. She had just turned 87. Our sincere condolences to the entire Lawrence family and their extended families, which also includes the Emerys and Ostlings. Lorraine's funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Steele Chapel at the Longview Memorial Park.

BIG EVENTS COMING--October is just around the corner, so get yourself prepared for a jam-packed month! That first weekend will feature "Columbia River Country Days" which takes place Oct. 6 and 7, with the annual Covered Bridge Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 7. Give Carrie Backman a call at 360-795-3278 for all the information you will need about this event. Let's hope they have a real nice fall evening for the dinner!

FOLLOWING SATURDAY, ETC--It's going to be "Harvest Time" at the Roadkill Salloon on Oct. 14, as they hold a Tractor/Truck Cruz on that day, so here's to a good showing for that event. Stop by the Roadkill Thursday through Sunday and ask April about their menu for any given week, or give her a call at 1-360-606-0179.

That is also the same day as the next Flea Market at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds, so you can check that out from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and take in the doings at the Roadkill at the same time.

If you're on the other side of "the hill," be aware of their Winterfest event, which features a Prime Rib dinner, to take place at the Grays River Valley Center on Oct. 15, and then on Oct. 22, there will be the pumpkin carving event for kids, so those sound great for the grown ups one weekend and the kids the next. On Oct. 28, there will be the annual Rosburg Club Bazaar held at the Rosburg Community Hall, and that's always a favorite around the area! You can call Barbara Rose for more information 1-360-465-2234.

At the end of October here in Skamokawa, there will be the annual Halloween Carnival held at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds on Oct. 28 and you won't want to miss that. There is a lot of work that goes into putting together the haunted house part of this so be sure to bring the kids down and enjoy it. More to come on all that is going on there, but for now, mark your calendars and don't miss it!

FURTHER OUT--A one day event, called "A Country Christmas" will be put on by the St. James Family Center in Cathlamet on Nov. 18, from 10 to 4, so if you'd like to help support them, why not come by and buy some tickets to win one of several awesome baskets that they have available? There will be vendors and food and music and more so don't miss it, as it's just for that one day!

In Skamokawa, November will be the time when the Central School/River Life Interpretive Center/ Redmen Hall, will don their holiday finery and bedazzle you with many homemade items and music at their "Deck the Hall" affair. This annual Holiday Open House will begin on Nov. 24, so watch for more information on that in the coming weeks.

TRAVELING--Son Pete Sechler, and his wife, Katie (Nollan) traveled to Oregon recently, which may not seem like a big deal, but in this case, it was the town of Oregon, which just so happens, is situated in Illinois! Who knew there was an Oregon back there? They also headed to Sechlerville, which is located in Wisconsin and is of course, Pete's family's home to many of his ancestors. The couple said it was just beautiful country back there and they were enjoying some wonderful weather. However, a talk with a local, meant they would not be moving there any time soon, as the area around there and Lake Geneva, which they also enjoyed, also saw snowfall measuring in the five and six foot range, so it looks like the Sechlers will be staying in Seattle!