Happy St. Patrick's Day to one and all

GORGEOUS--In spite of some cold nights, the sunshine that shone through my windows on Saturday and Sunday was certainly welcomed! It was even into the 60s, which was a far cry from those cold, wet, windy and nippy 30 and 40 degree temperatures we've been having lately. I hope you got to enjoy the sunshine while it was here, as we all know that after a few of those, the rains return. Hopefully the sunshine will return, as we already mowed the lawn, and we know what happens once you do that, you'll be remowing it after every rain storm, as it grows like crazy then!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from March 15-21 are Connie Bassi, Lucy Bosch, Jon Elven, Leroy Wika, Mariah Souvenir, Gaylene Johnson, (who is celebrating a milestone birthday), Pat Kehrli, Randy Hoven, Laurie Miller, Cathy LaBerge, Katie Turgeon, Lance Souvenir, Carol Wegdahl, cousins: Gene Healy and Mathew Kyle, who is also celebrating a special birthday. Enjoy those birthday celebrations everybody!

Happy Anniversary wishes go out to Layton and Pam Elliott, Janelle and Kevin Gilligan, Tyson and Sarah Clark and Bill and Shelley Olsen.

FRIDAY MOVIE--The free movie and popcorn night at the Community Center in Cathlamet is tomorrow, March 16. As always, the movie begins at 7 p.m. The current movie is an Adult (NR) documentary. Contact the center for movie title and more information.

HAPPY SATURDAY--This Saturday is the day to celebrate St. Paddy's Day and you're likely to be partaking in the "wearin' o' the green." Whether it's clothes, or hats or beads, we hope to see you decked out in style this Saturday. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

THIS SUNDAY/FOS--The Friends of Skamokawa will hold their annual membership meeting this Sunday, March 18, so all members are urged to attend. The meeting begins at 2 p.m., and will feature Irene Martin as their speaker and you'll get to enjoy some fresh pie, along with great company! Contact the hall at 360-795-3007 for any other details.

The new addition to the Reader Board sign is now in place, so the "Redmen Hall/Central School" addition should make things a lot clearer for the tourists who are cruising by and wondering what that old building used to be. The River Life Interpretive Center is on the second floor and that's where many displays, meetings and such take place, like this past week's Vintage and Antique Sale. They were very busy Friday morning and it seems the furniture items and the old clocks were the biggest hits, so I'm happy for those who found that "new treasure" to take home, which also helped the FOS. For all who attended, your support was appreciated.

GOOD FOOD/GOOD CAUSE--It's also time to head to the Rosburg Community Hall this Sunday and take part in their annual chicken dinner feast; it's terrific! This event helps keep the hall going, and it's important to support it. Chicken and all the fixings, including dessert, will be served from 11:30 a.m., to 2 p.m. Enjoy!

SYMPATHIES--We wanted to send our sincerest condolences to our good friend, Betty Koziel as she lost her brother, Harold just recently. He passed away at home in Woodland at the age of 87. We also send our sympathies to all the members of his family, including his wife, Laurie, and children: daughter, Debbie Melton and sons Dwaine and David, as well as his brothers Roger, Allen and Stan and their respective families. No service is planned but a celebration of his life will take place Sunday, March 25 in Woodland at 369 Gun Club Road from 1-4 p.m.

P.I. BRIDGE MEETING--On Wednesday, March 21, there will be a drop-in meeting at the Norse Hall from 5-7 p.m., where you can hear all the latest plans and schedules for the upcoming repairs and facelift of the Puget Island bridge. This is very important work that needs to be done as the decking is in serious need of repair, so there will be shut downs and delays. If you live over there or need to catch the ferry to work, you need to keep up to date on all these days and times of closure.

CONGRATULATIONS--We want to send a hearty congratulations to Jason Rainey, as he was recently recognized as the "Employee of the Month" at Swanson's Bark and Wood Products in Longview. Not only is he a good worker, but he was instrumental in assisting the Maintenance Department with the rebuilding of a R-3, and provides excellent training for his co-workers. So, way to go, Jason. We need more hard working, dedicated employees like you in all lines of work!

COMING UP--Don't forget that Easter Bingo is coming up soon, as well as the Easter Egg Hunt at Vista Park and of course, Easter falls on April Fool's Day, so you might want to double check that "basket of goodies" as maybe somebody has fooled you with who knows what kind of candy!

DO IT NOW!--I've been working on my family's "Family Tree," and let me tell you, I wish I'd done this years ago when more of my family members were alive. (And I was younger with more stamina!) I would say to you, if you don't have a historian in your family, or no written records in a booklet anywhere at this moment, don't delay and start it now. Precious information may be lost to you forever, or be that much more difficult for you to find. Take time to listen to the stories of your elders, as one day, they won't be there to tell them to you and you'll never know what they were really like. Ask questions, encourage them to tell stories of when they got married, where they went for their honeymoon, what were they thinking during times of crisis, and so on. Trust me, you'll be happy someday that you got involved now!

OUT OF THE PAST--This week in 1948, from March 15-21, it began misty, then it got good and wet, and then it began to hail and blow and pretty soon, it was snowing, hailing and blowing, which led Grandma Elsie Everest to say: "It's just been a miserable week!" To top things off, Grandma wasn't feeling real good and had daughter, Carol come in and work in the telephone office for her for awhile. It was a big week as the Puget Island Ferry was in regular service now and this new, all steel ferry was called the "Almar." It was operated by Elmer Danielsen and was built by Radar Pedersen and launched, March 21. Hundreds of people from both Washington and Oregon lined the roadways for the occasion. John Hendrickson was the master of ceremonies, with the Reverend R.H. Sawyer giving the invocation. A letter of congratulations was read from the Puget Island Grange. Speakers for the day were Julius Wendt, Mitchell Doumit, Julia Butler Hansen, Thomas Hall, Melvin Coates, a brief word from the new ferry captain and the builder of the craft. Music was furnished by the WHS band and directed by E.L. Gadbois. Ralph Bunn, who was president of the Wahkiakum County Commercial Club, also spoke, as they had been in charge of the christening and events of the day, as did one of his committee members, who thanked everyone for their participation that day. It was a wonderful occassion indeed!

In 1958, the week began with some gorgeous sunshine but by the third day, it began to get overcast and the rains returned by nightfall. The rest of the week saw a mix of sun and rain. It seems Stella Kapron was an excellent pillow maker, so Grandma Elsie gave Clinton Smith a call and put in an order for one. On one of the nice days, the Everests went with Mayme Johnson to Longview, then Castle Rock to watch the fishermen along the river and then went onto Portland. They ate dinner at a place on N. Interstate & N. Denver, where it was all you could eat for 99 cents; a good deal and a good day! A trip to Millie's cafe for lunch meant a good visit with Mary Faymonville, Bethenia Foster and O'dessa. It was off to the Grange meeting the next evening and Millie's cook, "Billy," was good enough to make doughnuts and maple bars for the group and they were delighted. At the next grange meeting, the men were in charge of serving and providing the goodies! The next day it was time to sit down and cut out aprons for the Rebekah's at Alice Ott's, and then that evening it was off to the Pochantas Social Club at Louise Lawrence's house. Grandpa Everest wasn't feeling so good, so it was just Grandma and Mayme Johnson who headed to Longview to visit with daughter, Marian and to stop at son, George's house as well, but not before the ladies did a little shopping and they each bought a hat and a pair of shoes; a big day! All this according to Grandma Elsie Everest's diaries.