Final car show will be Saturday at fairgrounds

WEEKEND WAS NICE--The traffic was a bit heavy on Friday, but it sure was a nice day to start out this past Memorial Day weekend. Saturday saw some more clouds move in, but no rain, so it was perfect for doing some yard work, and Sunday was gorgeous. By Monday, which was Memorial Day, we had some more clouds but still a wonderful day. Considering parts of Maryland got hammered with massive rains and flash flooding and tropical storm Alberto was causing some havoc down south, I'd say we've been quite fortunate. I can only hope our upcoming weekend is as nice as this last one.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 31-June 6 are Justin Rainey, Becca Keilwitz, Gary Emery, Mike Wegdahl, Tori Wegdahl, Roger Davis, Derrick Bardsley, Blain Fritzie, Gwyn Heriford, Tim Rushing, Terry Vik, Sharon Hart, Shannon Cochran, Scott Ahrndt, Brian Good and 67'er Mike Hicks.

Happy Anniversary wishes go out to Kelly and Debbie Melton, Mr. and Mrs. Al Bergseng, Sharon and BJ Servis, Merle and Joanne Brockway and Robert and Karla (Hall) Kyle (45 years). Enjoy those speical anniversary moments, folks!

FRIDAY MOVIE--The Community Center in Cathlamet will show a free movie and serve free popcorn on June 1, at 7 p.m., so if you're looking for an inexpensive night out, this is it; don't miss it! As of this writing, I don't have the June movie list, but just stop by the center and they'll let you know what it is.

BREAKFAST--Don't forget the early morning pancakes, eggs, sausage and more breakfast at the Skamokawa United Methodist Church this Saturday morning, as they will once again hold this annual event; but for the very last time. They would love to see you there between 7 - 10, and that nice big breakfast, which only costs $9 for adults and $4 for six and under, will keep you filled up until it's time for lunch at the car show!

THIS IS IT: LAST CAR SHOW!--The time has come to welcome all the hot rods and hot trucks and everything in-between, to the very last Wahkiakum Dollars for Scholars Rods and Reels show this Saturday, June 2, at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds and park area. No matter the weather, this very last show will surely be a hit and we hope you'll be a part of this special event, which is sadly, it's last under this group's leadership. Lee and Diane Tischer and their family and friends have done a terrific job during all these years and we certainly have enjoyed being a part of this fantastic event. It has raised thousands of dollars for scholarships for the graduating seniors, and we are so thankful to everyone who took part in this. So, please come to Skamokawa this Saturday. The rigs will be pulling in early, so come check them out, join them for lunch, enjoy the music and here's to selling lots of tickets and raising lots of money for the kids. We hope you will be a lucky prize winner this year!

To all those folks I have personally dealt with who have donated something for this event year after year, it goes without saying, that you're all just terrific and your support has truly been appreciated. I know the WDFS organization appreciates everyone who helped them out over the years. Here's to one last "hoorah" and a wish for a truly fantastic ending to this awesome event!

By the way, they do take entries to the car show on the day of the show, so if you've got a hot car or truck, why not enter it? I hear there are more trophies than ever before to be awarded, so hey, there's a chance you could be a proud winner of one of them! Need more info? Call Lee Tischer at 360- 430-4377.

FAIR FOUNDATION--The Wahkiakum Fair Foundation will have a bake sale from 10 to 2 near the Roadkill Saloon this Saturday, so in between breakfast at the church, and lunch at the car show, maybe you can stop by and pick up some dessert to take home. All monies raised goes toward the upcoming bull riding event that is scheduled at the fairgrounds for July 20.

REDMEN HALL--The Friends of Skamokawa want to invite you to their new exhibit as there will be opening receptions on Friday, June 1 from 5 to 7 p.m., and then again on June 2 from noon to 4 p.m., with refreshments served. This new exhibit is called, "Welcome Home" and features local student art and history combined for a "sunnier historical perspective of Wahkiakum County." We hope you get a chance to head to the River Life Interpretive Center on the second floor of the Redmen Hall/Central School building in Skamokawa and check it out!

SONS OF NORWAY--The first Wednesday of the new month is June 6, and that means the Sons of Norway lodge members will hold their monthly meeting at the Norse Hall on Puget Island at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to join the group or stop by and check out a meeting and see what's going on. They also hold bingo games on the second Saturday of each month with doors opening at 5:30 p.m., and games starting at 6, so here's to singing out "Bingo" first and winning a cash prize!

OPEN NOW--If you'd like an espresso or latte or smoothie, don't forget to head into Skamokawa Vista Park to their coffee trailer, parked right near the gillnet boat display, and they can provide you with a special drink. Now that summer time is around the corner, they have extended hours, so check them out, or call 360-795-8605 for more info.

BERRY SALES--Don't forget, your time to order strawberries from the Wahkiakum Lions Club is winding down, with the last day being June 9. Pick up date is June 16. Contact Carol McClain at 360-795-3337 ASAP if you can't find an order form around town. All orders must be paid in advance.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED--If you find yourself with a little spare time or maybe you're a little bored with your current routine, why not be a volunteer? There are numerous opportunities for those who would like to help out a local/community program. The Charlotte House is looking for some good volunteers, and for all the details you can call 360-795-6401.

If you've got a few hours to spare on a Saturday or Sunday, the Wahkiakum Historical Society could sure use a few more people to man the museum for a few hours, and you'd be able to learn a little more history of our county while you're there. It's only open from 1 to 4, so it's not a lot of time and you'd be able to meet some other nice folks as they wander through the place.

Why not sign up to be a docent at the Redmen Hall/Central School building here in Skamokawa? This centerpiece of Skamokawa is really a local treasure, which was saved from ruination by the Friends of Skamokawa back in the 80's. As always, these buildings need constant care and maintenance, and to do that, fund raising needs to be done and that takes people who are willing to jump in and help out, so if you'd like to pitch in and help in some way, you can always leave your name and number at 360-795-3007.

MOTHER'S DAY--I hope all the Moms out there had a great Mother's Day. By now all of you Facebook followers probably realized that I was away for this holiday, so I didn't get to catch up on what everyone else did, but I sure had a great time! Mother's Day started with a perfectly warm day on Maui with a huge brunch cooked up by the Pete Sechler family, as 10 of us had arrived the day before in Kahana on Pete's 50th birthday. After pulling off a surprise party for him, it was pretty great to be surprised by a bouquet of roses and great cards and the wonderful spread for Mother's Day, so we Moms, (daughter-in-law Katie and I) had an enjoyable day. We topped off the day with a trip down to Lahaina in the evening for some awesome gelatto and a fairly hilarious time, as there's nothing like a group of 10 ordering all at once, while inviting total strangers to join us as well!

WHS GRADUATION--In just a couple of weeks, the Class of 2018 from Wahkiakum High School will be saying good-bye to their high school years and heading out to other things. It's hard to believe that June 15 will be here before we know it, and our kids/grandkids will be leaving the nest! Some may be furthering their education by going to a college, and some are heading into a job, while others may head to trade schools in the field of their choice. Whatever they do, we wish them the very best. My usual quote/advice for the graduates is this: "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." So, if you're asked to come in for an interview for a school or a job, make sure your first impression is impressive. Good Luck!

FATHER'S DAY--Right after our WHS graduation on Friday night, is Father's Day that Sunday, so it's going to be quite the weekend. With graduation parties that day or evening, and special dinner and outings for Dad on Sunday, it's going to keep us all plenty busy, so here's hoping all your special plans for these occasions are great ones and are enjoyed to the fullest!

OUT OF THE PAST--This week back in 1948, the last day of May was hot and craziness abounded as Puget Island was evacuated due to flood danger! Carol (Everest) Pedersen left her home on Welcome Slough and moved over to town with her boys. There were people and animals all over Cathlamet as they left their homes on the Island and it was so noisy, Grandma Elsie Everest said she could hardly think! Her telephone board was super busy and Grandma and daughter, Carol only had three hours of sleep that first night. Twelve year old Ralph Pedersen, went to stay at the Hotel so he could watch a lady's little boy there while she worked. Marian Everest Healy had 13 people living at her house during this time. The flood watch conditions on the Island and in Skamokawa by June 3 were not looking good. The water was rising and the whole town was on edge while emergency planners scrambled to prepare for the worst. The telephone operators were working like crazy and it was non-stop day and night for Grandma Elsie and her crew, which included her two daughters. Emergency radio men were being brought in, in case of outages, and all the while the heat was really making everyone miserable.

In 1958, the week began a little drippy but improved steadily so that it got real hot by the end of the week, which resulted in a wild thunder and lightning storm, which Grandma Elsie said reminded her of Minnesota. The Harmony Club met at the Everest home that week, with 10 members attending. They voted to have a baazar on August 1. They would meet next at Mrs. Alice Ott's home on July 1. On June 5, the Oddfellows met up and Herb Faubion and John West were presented with 40 and 30 year pins respectively. The Rebekahs served the refreshments to about 50 guests that evening. Entertaiment was provided by the fifth grade band, and Susan and Beverly West performed a dance routine, accompanied by Mrs. Hazel Boyd and a selection of songs were played on the piano by Kathy Acerman. All this according to my Grandma Elsie Everest's diaries.