Winter not over, with low temperatures and snow

SNOW RETURNED--We woke up to a light layer of snow in West Valley this past Sunday morning, but places just a bit higher in elevation saw several inches of snow come down. KM had several inches and the Beaver Creek area saw a good amount too, which was ideal for sledding and snowboarding, so it just depended on where you were as to how much you got. We woke up Monday morning to temperatures in the low 20s, so yep, it was nippy.

While we had become accustomed to a "mild winter," this just goes to show us that winter is not yet over and I've even seen snow here at Easter time, so it's not time to put away those winter clothes just yet!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Feb. 22-28 are Vicki Allenback, Wyatt Parker, Ursula Jorgensen, Darrin Dow, Emery Tomlinson, Ray Danielsen, Mary Hanigan, Shelley Olsen, Amanda Zacher, Nick Tarabochia, Mary McLaughlin, and classmates Shari Gorman Parker, Truchet Madden Miller and Kathy Bond Peek.Happy Birthday to all of you. Belated birthday wishes go out to Vera Oman!

Anniversary wishes go out to Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Wirkala; enjoy!

OUTAGE--In spite of a power outage this past Saturday afternoon, the PUD crews fixed everything in a jiffy and those who feared the Crab and Oyster Feed at the Norse Hall would have to be cancelled, were happy to find out that it was good to go; what a relief! Glad the outage was brief and everyone got to enjoy a really good time.

FRIDAY MOVIE--The free Friday Night movie this week, which always takes place at 7 p.m., will be a PG-13 rated comedy. Stop by or call the center to find out the actual title. (I'm not allowed to mention it or I would.)

WHS LADY MULES--Here's wishing our Lady Mules the very best, as they play White Swan in the Regionals at Mark Morris on Friday evening (Feb. 23) at 6 p.m. Go Lady Mules, go!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED--There's never any shortage of things to do around here and many of these things need volunteers. From the Friends of Skamokawa to help man the hall, to the Bald Eagle Day festivities, the Wahkiakum County Fair, the Rods and Reels Rod Run and of interest to our entire county, the Wahkiakum County Historical Society Museum. Every year they open in May and run through the last weekend in October. This museum represents all of our county, so from east end to the west, they'd appreciate it if folks would volunteer to help man the Museum on Saturday and Sundays from 1-4 p.m., which isn't too long of a stint. If you could help out, it would help them, and give you some time to check out the exhibits and learn about this county a little more too. Contact Kari Kandoll 360-849-4353 if you can help or if you'd like to donate a few bucks to help with expenses, you can drop it in the mail to WCHS at P. O. Box 541, Cathlamet, WA 98612.

FOS--Approaching rapidly is the big "Vintage and Antique Sale," which will begin the first weekend in March in the River Life Interpretive Center located on the second floor of the historic Redmen Hall/Central School building in downtown Skamokawa. If you'd like to take part in this event, call 360-795-3007 and someone will get back to you.

BUSY TRAVELERS--Former WHS graduate, Pete Sechler, who just happens to be my son, just got back from Europe with his wife, Katie and youngest son, Luke, as they went to Switzerland to see daughter, Tessa as she is studying through the WSU extension program there. The Sechlers landed in Paris and toured the town, enjoyed the local cullinary treats and spent the night in a fantastic place that looked more like a massive parliament building than a hotel! Of course, they had to go and visit the Eiffel Tower, but only Pete and Luke ventured to climb the 798 stairs in order to get to the second level and an elevator ride to the top. They said they "blew by" everyone on the way, but admitted to some sore calf muscles the next day! They just had to go to the Louvre where they got to see the real Mona Lisa. Pete had to admit that the fake one that we had at our house when he was growing up, was looking pretty good, and was way less hassle to view, beings it didn't mean waiting in long lines with tons of tourists and security guards. Anyway, after some time there, they boarded a train and went to Lucerne, where they met up with daughter, Tessa who had come in from Brig, Switzerland. Then it was back on a train as they headed to Engelberg, where they stayed and enjoyed touring, tube sliding, sledding and even found an Igloo Bar to visit, which was pretty unique. Another unique item in the restaurant they went to for dinner was "Horse Tenderloin."Not their style! Their room in Engelberg on the top floor of a hotel, had a fantastic view of the Swiss Alps. Then it was off to Brig and there was more epic views and that meant it was not only gorgeous but lent it's way to some fantastic skiing in the Alps. It was also great to see where Tessa was going to school and get acquainted with her surroundings. She has been able to travel to various places, like Vienna and the Czech Republic and has gotten quite the education that can only be obtained from traveling to other countries. She and her family have really chalked up the memories lately!

OUT OF THE PAST--This week, beginning on Feb. 22, back in 1948, the weather was deemed as "just miserable." It was this day that Inez Quigley Knopski gave birth to a daughter. The following day turned out pretty nice though and Grandma Elsie Everest went to Longview with Mrs. Shamley, where they visited Mrs. Hansen and the Davis boy at the hospital. For the next three days, it was stormy and wet and cold and windy, and Grandma thought it was time to do some baking, so cakes and homemade biscuits started coming out of the oven. It was this week that the smelt were really in the Cowlitz River and there was a picture of the Kelso Booster Club members and some Kelso policemen in the paper, as they loaded up the first box of smelt from what was expected to be a record run, and they planned on sending it to President Truman! On the last day of this week, it turned out nice, which was great for the big party honoring Dr. and Mrs. L.G. Measor who were visiting. Ray Mooers was the master of ceremonies and after opening up some nice gifts and sharing in some funny stories and lots of laughter, they all enjoyed some dancing, as Ernie Grunstad played his accordion. This, according to my Grandma Elsie Everest's 1948 diary.