Lasagna dinner is Saturday at fairgrounds

SUNSHINE--I think we all agree that the sunshine last Saturday and Sunday was certainly a welcome break from the dreary rain we'd been dealing with. Of course, this was a three day weekend, and it figures that we could only have two of the three be nice, but oh well, that was better than none! The clouds rolled in on Monday morning and they say this whole week is supposed to be wet, but this is one time that I wish the forecasters would be wrong, as we really were enjoying those sunny, uplifting days!

BE WARY--For those that are traveling SR 4 regularly, I hope you'll keep your eyes open for falling trees and debris, as a big tree came down on the highway on Monday morning. This tree came down east of County Line and just west of the Mill Creek turn off. While the Daily News was saying it was by Stella, it was actually a couple miles west of the Stella area slide that came down a couple of weeks ago. With more rain forecast for our area, these hillsides, with their many, many leaning trees, are very susceptible to coming down, so please be careful out there!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Jan. 18-24 are Theresa Kuljis, Bruce McClain, Veronica Wallin, Reese N. Brown, Shanna Havens, Tim Hanigan, Bailey Danker, Linda Seaberg, Kasey Tomlinson, Brandon Burdick, Jolene Wright, Jessie Fritzi Collins, Jody Baccellieri, Sharon Buennagel, Trinity Thompson, Wayne Cochran, Kyli Prestegard, Bill Olsen, Baylee Olsen, Carol Cothren, Shane Pedersen, Bernice Ellison, and 67'er Don Marsyla. Bleated birthday wishes go out to Jerod Moore. Hope your birthday was great!

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Bob and Patty Ohrberg and Michael and Nikki Danker. Enjoy your special days everybody!

MOVIE--The Free Movie night is Jan. 19 at 7 p.m., at the Community Center in Cathlamet. This is an adult documentary, so it's not one that would be suitable for small children. Don't forget, besides the movie being free, so is the popcorn; enjoy!

THIS SATURDAY/CHANGES--The Wahkiakum Fair Foundation is holding a Lasagna Dinner fund raising event this Saturday, Jan. 20, but there have been a couple of changes made which I've just been told about. The dinner was going to be at the Roadkill Saloon, but it has now been moved to the Youth Building inside the fairgrounds. It's also going to be held from 3-7 p.m., so those who would like to enjoy an earlier dinner can do so. The change in venue will now allow families to come and enjoy this wonderful dinner, with no reservations needed and plenty of elbow room. There will also be more room to set up and display the silent auction items, so come to the fairgrounds in Skamokawa and have a great dinner, while helping the Foundation in their quest to raise money to fund an event/improvements at the fair. I was asked about the price of the dinner, but according to Jean Beerbower, there is no set cost of this dinner and is simply by donation.

I just want to clear up something I mentioned last week when I talked about this, as I inadvertently said it was the Wahkiakum "County" Fair Foundation, but that was incorrect. The county has nothing to do with it. Also, this group holds fund raising events to help benefit the fair in some way, but it's also separate from the fair board events. Hope that clears up any misunderstandings that may have occurred.

NEXT SATURDAY--Here's hoping the weather is decent and that you have already purchased your ticket to attend the annual Crab and Oyster Feed at the Rosburg Hall next Saturday, January 27. This is put on by the American Legion, Deep River Post #111. Doors open at 6 p.m., and they begin to serve at 7 p.m. This is a great fund raiser with great raffle prizes and all for a good cause, so we hope you'll help support this very worthwhile and giving organization.

COMING TUESDAY--Just a quick reminder that the Pie Social is happening at the Community Center in Cathlamet, Tuesday, Jan. 23 beginning at 11 a.m., in honor of National Pie Day. Needless to say, here's the chance for all you pie lovers to enjoy some tasty, locally made pies and support a good cause.

PICTURES--According to Lois Nelson, she has the pictures that had been hanging in the hall of the United Church of Christ (Congregational Church) and if anybody would like one, you can contact her. The church has been disbanded and the county will soon take it over. Lois can be reached at 360-795-3502.

RETIRES--Former resident and physician, Richard Avalon has just announced his retirement and we send our congratulations and happy retirement wishes to him after his many years of practicing medicine. For those of you new to the area, Richard and his father were long-time physicians here in Wahkiakum County. I'm sure he will enjoy his leisure time after so many years of serving others.

GET WELL--I was told that Wally Wright had to go in for some surgery recently, so we wish him the very best, and hope he recuperates from that real soon and feels much better.

ANOTHER PASSES--We were very sad to hear of the passing of Ray Poppe this past week, as he truly was one of the good guys. I always enjoyed watching him back in the day during the logging shows in Cathlamet, as he was quite the competitor! Our sincere condolences to Ray's family and close friends.

CONGRATS--Austin Smith posted on Facebook about a new addition to the Skamokawa Fire Department, so congrautations to them for getting this extra vehicle. The SUV type vehicle will be used as a quick response vehicle, so that will be quite handy for them, as the sooner personnel can assess a situation, the faster the proper equipment can be sent and utilized. This was a donation from Centralia's Riverside Fire Authority. Kudos to them for such a nice gift!

If you live in the area, and you'd like to become a treasured member of this community, please think about becoming a volunteer at the Skamokawa Fire Department. We really rely on those willing to jump in and come to our aid and as always, new members are always welcomed. They meet on Thursday nights at the little blue fire house going out East Valley, by the fairgrounds, with a nice new flag pole out front!

DINNER COMING UP--According to Wahkiakum Fair Manager, Patty Dursteler, the annual Valentine Diamond Dinner will take place on Feb. 3 at 6 p.m., in the Youth Building at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds. As always, there will be a tasty steak dinner and raffles going on. Previously I was told it would be at the Skamokawa Grange Hall, but it's not, so just walk a few steps to the right of the hall, and through the gate, and you'll be at the correct place. Sorry for any confusion. Tickets are being sold in various stores/businesses around the area and are $25 each.

VALENTINE'S DAY--It won't be long and the hearts, flowers and candy will be sailing out the doors of many businesses, and we hope that you'll be thinking of shopping locally for those things. Won't you please support our local shops and restaurants, as we need to keep their doors open as they are all so good at supporting our many fund raisers with their donations, we need to give back to them so we don't wind up losing those that are so good to us!

CARDS--I hope all the school teachers and maybe Sunday School teachers will have their classes make some Valentines for Vets this year. Also other groups and organizations are urged to help out. There are different places they can be sent to, so just check them out online and see which one you'd like. If you don't want to send them to the Vets, picking out a nursing home or a special housing unit for the elderly would be good too. Just think of the folks who would really cherish getting a handmade card and send it to whichever group you want. The most common thing they ask of you though, is to not include any cards with glitter as those in hospitals can have that glittery stuff get into all the wrong places, and can be quite dangerous. Plain stickers or ink, pencil or crayon drawings are fine. That holiday will be here before you know it, so let the card making begin!