Hook the Hawg fishing derby Friday & Saturday

BRR--This past weekend saw some nippy temperatures, and even some snow in higher elevations, so it looks like Winter is not quite ready to give up to Spring! With a few dry days scheduled for this week, I'm hoping that they materialize, as it will make all the upcoming Easter egg hunts and celebrations much more enjoyable. Here's to sunshine; bring it on!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from March 29-April 4 are Aaliyah Montgomery, Leif Carroll, Mike Carroll, Linda McClain, Dana McClain, Vaal Gribskov, Paul Vik, Pam Emery, Gordon Souvenir, Bob Brons, Hank Hanigan, Alicia Cooper, Richard Backman, George Trott, Crystal Davis, Sandi Cik, Thomas Ronnignhaug, Phil Rolf, Ron Rust, Karen Bell, Mikayla Bell, Nathan Pedersen and Jeremy Pedersen.

Celebrating their anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Brian McClain, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Phelan and Scott and Deanna (Helay) Ahrndt. May all of you have wonderful birthday and anniversary celebrations!

BACK IN TOWN--According to Gretchen (Meyer) Mahitka, she is super thrilled to announce that her folks, Rob and Naomi, and brother, Dexter, have moved back to Skamokawa after spending the last 11 years in Taft, California. It's always tough to have your family members so far away, so we're really happy that the Meyers have come back home and will get to enjoy some quality time with Gretchen and her family now. A hearty, "Welcome Back" to the Meyers from us!

FRIDAY MOVIE--The last free movie of March is a comedy/fantasy for youth and adults and will be shown at the Community Center in Cathlamet on March 30 at the usual time of 7 p.m. Here's to a cheap date night; free movie and popcorn!

ENJOY FISHING--If you're a fishing enthusiast, you probably already know that the Spring Salmon Derby is taking place at the Elochoman Slough Marina in Cathlamet this Friday and Saturday. It should be a fun time, and the proceeds go towards a scholarship for a lucky WA-KI-HI senior to help further his or her education, so a great cause as well. There are different costs for different age groups and prizes awarded in four different categories: man, woman, youth and kids. Good luck to all of you anglers! For more information, contact the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce, 360-795-9996 or stop by the marina.

EASTER BINGO--Once again, the annual Easter Bingo at the multi-purpose room at J. A. Wendt Elementary School in Cathlamet, will take place on March 30. The games begin at 6 p.m., and you can purchase tickets to win various prizes and the grand prize, which is a TV this year. You are also encouraged to bring a can of food to help our local food banks.

EGG HUNT--This Saturday, March 31, at 11 a.m., the grasses of Skamokawa Vista Park will be littered with lots of eggs for the kiddos to hunt for, and there are various sections for the different ages. However, those little ones can move in a hurry, so don't be late, or you'll likely come away with an empty basket! There are prize eggs in each section and the Easter Bunny will be on hand to meet and greet the kids as well. This is an annual event put on by our local chapter of the Lions Club and they want to welcome you to the park with your kids and take part in this fun activity.

COFFEE TIME--While you're at the egg hunt, you grown ups can enjoy some of those specialty coffee/espresso drinks, as I was told that the Port is now going to have their "Ship Channel Coffee" trailer open this Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m., until noon. This weekend schedule will continue through April, and then when May comes around, it will be open seven days a week, so this is a sure sign that we'll be heading into all the fun activities that the late Spring and early Summer bring.

AFTER THE PARK HUNT--Once the fun is over at Vista Park, then it's time to head for some lunch at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds. Not only can you enjoy lunch, but that's where there will be a bake sale, a silent auction, and a Kids Carnival, followed later by an evening egg hunt, which also includes the teens and adults, so Skamokawa will be the place to be this Saturday! This event is being held by the Fair Foundation and proceeds are going to help bring the Challenge of Champions Professional Bull Riding Exhibition, to the fairgrounds on July 20.

ON SUNDAY--This Sunday is Easter and we hope you enjoy a wonderful church service wherever you may go, and don't forget to check out your local places for Easter dinner specials. With Easter coming so soon on the heels of St. Patrick's Day, it is almost hard to believe it is that time of year again, but that's just how it plays out this time. Here's hoping that you and yours have an enjoyable Easter and are able to enjoy your favorite meal with family and/or friends.

"Happy Easter to one and all!"

MEETINGS--The Skamokawa Grange #425 would like to invite you to their evening meetings which begin at 5:30 p.m., on the first and third Mondays of the month.

Also, the Sons of Norway lodge members will hold their first meeting of April, this coming Wednesday, April 4 at the Norse Hall on Puget Island at 7 p.m. Everybody is invited to attend either of these meetings and find out more about what they are doing and they would welcome all new members.

CONGRATS!--The grandson of Frank and Carolyn Pedersen, Nathan Pedersen, was able to have one of his latest drawings put up on the "Wall of Fame" that they have at his school (Skyline) recently, which made those grandparents, and his parents, Scott and Jenny Pedersen, very proud. The project was to recreate an album cover, and Nathan chose the "Guns and Roses" cover, which turned out fantastic. Nathan has shown that he is extremely talented and produces exquisite displays of artistry, so the whole family is very thrilled to see his works being recognized by others. Way to go Nate!

Meanwhile, his older brother, Kristian is still showing off his guitar skills with the Northwest Rock Academy at the Billy Blues' Bar and Grill in Vancouver, so both those boys are showcasing their talents lately, which we think is pretty cool.

REMINDER--The very last "Rods and Reels Rod Run," the car show and more, put on by the Wahkiakum Dollars for Scholars group, will hold its last show on June 2. As fast as these months are flying by, it will be here before you know it, so I just want to make sure you get that date down, and if you're interested in showing a car, now is the time to think about making those plans to come on down and enjoy this terrific, "last time" event! Spread the word to all your friends and let's make this the very best one yet! As always, there will be prize tables, music, food and more and I'm hoping that we can round up even more sponsors to give this a huge send off! Be sure to contact Lee Tischer (360-430-4377) or myself (360-795-3425) if you'd like to get in on the action! All those that donate $200 get on the t-shirt, and that can be in goods or cash, or a combination of both. Those that are donating $300 or more, get their names in even bigger print. Let's see how many peoples' names we can get in big, bold letters this year. After all, it's your last chance! Remember, the money raised goes for scholarships for the graduating seniors at WA-KI-HI. We hope to see you at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds in just a couple months.

OUT OF THE PAST--This week in 1948, the week was cloudy, misty, cold, then a nice day before turning snowy! For the first time in 12 years, Astoria recorded snowfall on April 4; not a lot but enough to cover the area and the surrounding hills got even more. It was a sad week as a Skamokawa man, J. Albert Martin, who always greeted people with a pleasant smile and a cheerful word, died suddenly. He was on a timber cruising expedition near Elliott's Landing with Karl Lawrence, also of Skamokawa, when he needed to take a rest after climbing a steep hill. When he went to resume the climb, he staggered forward and collapsed, and upon going to his rescue, Mr. Lawrence found that he had died, apparently from a heart attack. Mr. Martin was born in Skamokawa on March 29, 1881 and died on his birthday, March 29, 1948. He had served as a Wahkiakum County Commissioner for the past 16 years and was also the county's fire warden. He was a charter member of the Skamokawa Lodge of Red Men. He left behind his wife, Blanche, a son Howard Martin, a brother, Charles, also of Skamokawa and two sisters, Mrs. Elmer McDonald and Mrs. Lillie Barnes. This kind man was known for always being one to help others and those who knew him, said he was one of those men who was not one to draw criticism but only words of praise by all that knew him.

This week back in 1958, it was nasty and "like winter" all week, with April beginning with a very nasty day with heavy rains and lots of wind. Only until the very last day of that week, did it finally turn decent. There was a lot of baking going on at the Everest house, as various meetings throughout the week, like the Rebkahs, Grange and Pocahontas groups, all needed fresh bread, cookies and other assorted food items. At the Grange meeting, the men served the chili and Grandma Elsie did the secretary work as the person in charge of this duty was gone due to illness. The Pocahontas group enjoyed having the Great Pocahontas there, Pearl Hart, but Grandma Elsie complained there was far too much food! Grandpa Ralph Everest headed out to the Fudges' farm, where he was asked to watch the cattle there while they were gone. Daughter, Marian Everest Healy turned 40 years old that week and stopping by were George and Ruby Everest and other daughter, Carol and husband, Krist. All this according to my Grandma Elsie Everest's diaries.