Happy Valentine's Day to everyone, near and far

WET BEGINNING--If fog and drizzle are your friends, then you really liked how this week began, as Sunday was a gloomy, foggy, drizzly kind of day, which was just right for those who needed an excuse to sit inside all day in their sweats and watch football. Then came Monday morning with more heavy, wet fog, but by noon, we actually had the skies clear up some; yeah! By the time you read this, we should have had a few drier days and warmer temperatures, so I hope this came true, as my feet are getting a bit "webbed" I think. Of course, with midwest temperatures in the single digits and blizzard like conditions in some eastern states, I guess we really shouldn't complain.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Feb. 8-14 are Bailey McKinley, Reese Gullickson, Mykall Stensland, Tyler Havens, Ethan Havens, Lucas Havens, Wendy Havens, Shawn Cortay, Derrill Corbin, Ronnie Cothren, Paul Schroder, Diane Garrett, Brandon Souvenir, JoAnne Nortup, James Hoven, Sean Brennan, Roberta Backman, Kim Jones, John Thompson, Connie Shrum, Blake Hess, Annette Healy Miller and Scott Pedersen.

Those celebrting anniversaries are Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Lorenzo, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry DeBraie, Ray and Christie Davis and David and Julie Black. May you all have wonderful birthday and anniversary celebrations!

NEW LISTING--Former WA-KI-HI graduate, Ursula Short Jorgensen, just announced that she is a grandma once again, so a big congratulations to her! Daughter, Ashley and Mark Rusk now have a second daughter, as Kennedy Anne was born Feb. 5 at 12:14 a.m., weighed seven pounds 11 ounces and was 19.75 inches long. She joins a sister, Parker at home. Congratulations to the entire family on this latest addition. Needless to say, I'll be adding Miss Kennedy's name to my birthday list!

SOON TO BE LISTED--I don't often get hand-written, personally delivered notes with news for my column, but by golly, I got one from Bill Jeffries recently. He wanted to let me know of the engagement of Ken Wirkkala to Anita Plunger, and said that the couple plans to marry sometime in April. Congratulations to the happy couple and here's to adding them to our anniversary list soon.

MOVIE NIGHT--The free movie Friday night, Feb. 9, is going to be an adult drama and it is rated R. All you grown ups can have a nice night out with free popcorn. All movies begin at 7 p.m., and if popcorn doesn't agree with your tummy, you can bring in your own snacks instead.

BINGO NIGHT--Just a quick reminder that the Sons of Norway hold their monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at the Norse Hall on Puget Island and you're always welcome to join them. Also, they hold bingo games on the second Saturday of each month with the doors open at 5:30 and games at 6 p.m. Cards are $5 each and you can be the lucky cash winner. They hope to see you there!

FAIR/FAIR FOUNDATION--This Saturday there will be the usual monthly flea market at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds, and it will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., so Feb. 10 looks to be a busy day with this going on during the day and the bingo at the Norse Hall in the evening.

The Fair Foundation is announcing a couple of things that will be going on. They will host a Lasagna Dinner at the Rosburg Hall Feb. 11, beginning at 1 p.m., so that's perfect for those looking to enjoy a nice dinner after church! This is a fund raiser for the foundation and this dinner is by donation with families urged to attend.

Also, they will hold their Spring Bulb Sale, but no date has been set just yet. There's another way to get your yard ready for some color and help out the fair foundation, which helps raise money for the fair.

You may or may not know that the "Challenge of Champion Bull Riders" event will take place on Friday, July 20, which is the Friday that is connected to the beginning of all the Bald Eagle Day festivities. The foundation is helping to raise money for this event, and they would also like to have you as a sponsor, so contact them if you're interested. They have a Facebook page, or you can contact Jean Beerbower, or send a letter with your sponsorship money to WFF, P.O. Box 43, Cathlamet, WA 98612.

HEARTS GALORE--Valentine's Day is Wednesday. Some businesses are having specials this weekend, so you might want to check those out, while others are having specials on the weekend and on Valentine's Day evening, so don't miss out on those specials and if in doubt, give them a call to ask about their special Valentine dinners. I hope your sweetie takes you out and you have a wonderful night! With a little luck, you'll enjoy a nice dinner and maybe even some flowers or chocolates. Be sure to call and let me know what your Valentine Sweetheart did for you to make that day extra special!

PLAYING BALL--Do you know what else is happening on Valentine's Day? The Lady Mules will play District basketball, so that's surely going to draw some folks out of town. Here's hoping our Lady Mules have the best Valentine's Day ever by beating whoever they get paired with that day. Go Lady Mules!

SAD NEWS--My sympathies to the family of Mike Savant who passed away recently. One of his fellow motorcycle riders, Ed Houston, shared this sad news with us, and so not only is his immediate family shocked and saddened, but his biker family as well. Our sincerest condolences to all.

We were also saddened to hear of the passing of Beryl Curtis who had been the pastor at the United Methodist Church here in Skamokawa for many years. Our sincerest sympathies to his immediate family and church family as well. His services were held this past week.

MONTH AWAY--Just a reminder, the Friends of Skamokawa will hold their reopening of the RLIC/Central School/ Redmen Hall with an "Antique and Vintage Sale" in the River Life Interpretive Center on March 9 and 10, so if you're interested in selling some items, be sure to give them a call and get a spot. Of course, here's a chance for all you collectors of said items to come and see what wonderful treasures you can purchase to add to or start, your collection. Hours will be 10 to 4 for this event. Leave a message at the hall if you're interested in taking part in this event, 360-795-3007.

CHALLENGE--I was going to mention the "Five Dollar Challenge" last week, and I totally forgot, so how about it? Did you get your $5 sent in to the Fire Department here in Skamokawa? No? Too close after Christmas? Well, let's try this again this month and then next month we'll choose another group to help out. So, for now, let's see if we can boost the bottom line at the Skamokawa Fire Department a bit more by sending in a donation, of just $5, or higher if you can, to: Skamokawa Fire Department, Wahkiakum Co. Fire District #2, P.O. Box 145, Skamokawa, Wa 98647. I'm sure they'd appreciate your donation and of course, they would really appreciate it if you could come and join them. They hold their meetings on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m., at the little blue fire building on East Valley near the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds.

Also, a nice plaque has been made and will be placed near the new flag pole, donated by Richard and Putt Wirkkala. Their daughter, Connie Fauver, said she wanted to thank Stephanie Olsen for getting this plaque put together. Just recently, Connie's dad, Richard, was admitted to hospice care, so our prayers go out to their family. She was very thankful that her Dad got to see pictures of the flagpole in place and the plaque that would be there shortly. Again, a big thank-you to this family for their donation and to Brian O'Connor and his helpers for getting the flagpole up; it looks real nice.

FLU?--To all of you who have been dealing with the flu or bad colds and coughs, we hope you are doing better by now. We send our "get better soon" wishes to Gwen and Arve Ronninghaug, who have been quite ill recently. By now, I hope they are on the upside of the "bug." Here's to people staying home when they're sick and not sharing with others; a good time to be selfish!

Take care everybody and Happy Valentine's Day!