110th Wahkiakum Fair to be held August 16-18

MOISTURE--When I went to bed last Friday night, it was lightly misting out here in West Valley. When I woke up, it was good and wet outside, and then the skies really opened up and we got some real rain! I was thrilled to see it as we surely needed a good drenching to help bring our fire danger down a little and help those creeks and streams a bit.

THIS IS IT: FAIR TIME--I hope the raindrops stay away for the last three days of this coming week, as it's time for the 110th Annual Wahkiakum County Fair this Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 16-18. With so many things going on at the fairgrounds this year, we hope you'll come down and check out the full schedule of events. There's going to be something for everybody to see and do at our local fair. Kids should try to get in on the spelling bee and see if they can't win some money there and of course, we hope they entered things into the fair so they could earn even more; those blue ribbons add up! At any rate, here's hoping you'll come and support our local fair and have a fantastic time while you're here.

57'ERS ATO MEET--If you belong to the WHS Class of 1957, they want to invite you to join them at the Duck Inn this Thursday (today) Aug. 17 at 11 a.m., for lunch. Even if you aren't a classmate of theirs, maybe you'd like to visit with them, so stop by to say hello.

MOVIE NIGHT--As always, the Community Center in Cathlamet will be open this Friday night for their "Free movie - Free Popcorn" at 7 p.m., so if you're in the mood to watch an adult comedy, stop on by.

LAST REMINDER--All those who went to school in Skamokawa are urged to bring a snack to share and a beverage and meet at the upper covered area at Skamokawa Vista Park on Friday, Aug. 17 at 2 p.m. If you need more information, contact Gary Emery at 360-200-2931.

NEW ADDITION--Speaking of Sk. Vista Park, have you seen their latest additions? Come and check them out, as there are three gorgeous tepees set up for you to rent. How cool is that? Two of them are located out towards the beach and the other one is up closer to the entrance of the park next to the historic gillnet boat display. Contact the park office at 360-795-8650 if you'd like to have a unique camping experience by staying in a beautiful tepee at our gorgeous park!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Aug. 16-22 are Steve McClain, Becky Ledtke, Jessica Schiek, Riley Emlen-Petterson, Danny Tomlinson, Tyna Zink, John Gustafson, Addy Hauff, Chip Perkins, Deanna Dachtler, Toni Sue Ostling, Vivian Olsen, Krista Blix McQuire, Nicholas Keithley, Cindy Faubion, Linda DeBriae, Bobbie Leingang and Shannon Ellison.

Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Russ and Kathy Durrah and Bryce and Caitlin Heiner. May all of your special days be celebrated to the fullest!

CONGRATS--I heard from cousin LuAnn Davison that her daughter, Hannah has just gotten engaged to the love of her life, Ryan Shank, so it looks like a wedding is in the works before long. We want to send our heartfelt congratulaions to the newly engaged couple! With two daughters getting married in two years, it's going to be a hectic time for her Mom, so we'll be wishing her the best as well.

REDMEN HALL/CENTRAL SCHOOL--Have you been to Redmen Hall lately? I hope you'll go up there soon, as it won't be long and their latest exhibit will be gone. Also, the Friends of Skamokawa are getting ready for their big fund raising event, so we hope you've gotten a wonderful item put together and have donated it to them, as this will make the Auction/Silent Auction part of their Annual Wine Tasting event, even more exciting. One of the items that gets a lot of action is the "Monthly Fresh Baked Pie for a Year" item, as who doesn't like pie? The FOS will hold this event at the Skamokawa Grange Hall at 18 Fairgrounds Road on Sept. 8, the second Saturday in September, so mark that on your calendar. It's a very fun, adults only event. For more information on the wine tasting, or any other matters, contact the hall at 360-795-3007.

BACK TO SCHOOL--One thing we'll all need to be watching for soon, is all the kids who will be waiting for school buses or walking to school. It's easy for the young ones to get distracted, so it's always wise to slow down as you approach a group of them. Don't forget to stop for the school bus and do not pass them when they are stopped. This seems like a no-brainer, but every year, somebody opts to fly by them. Please don't be one of "those" people. School starts on September 4, which is the day after Labor Day .; it will be here before you know it!

REUNIONS--The WHS Class of 1972 held a reunion this past Saturday and I counted 18 people in a picture that Darlene Dobbins Almer posted in the Mule Train All School/Decade Alumni Reunion site on Facebook. It's a great way to share all of your class gatherings/reunions or news. Besides Darlene, the folks that were in attendance this year were Ken Bjorge, Alan Munson, Dwaine Almer, Larry Hendrickson, Jeff Hedlund, Herb Mosteller, Ellen Johnson Cothren, Joyce Bjorge, Cheryl Turner, Beckie Olsen Wolcott, Sherri Thompson, Katie Hendrickson, Sandra Frink Grover, Bob Cothren, Gail Hattrick McGaughey, Debra Moore Takko and Anita Fox Mosteller.

Also, the WHS Class of 1968 held a reunion that same day at the Skamokawa Resort in their large meeting room, and Class President Dennis Emery said it was a great success! While some of the class members get together every year, he said it was great to see some of the other classmates who traveled aways from home and were able to come out for this special 50th WA-KI-HI Class Reunion. Instead of having just a potluck meal like they usually have, the group had a fantastic catered lunch provided by the Duck Inn. Both Logan and Lance Britt got the thumbs up on the food and location spot in which to hold this special occasion as everyone who showed up thought it was just terrific. After all, it's not everyday that you get to visit with your classmates and enjoy a great meal while looking over the beautiful Columbia River!

FAMILY REUNION--The Chuck Parkers went to a family reunion this past weekend with about 30 other family members, in Aumsville, OR, which is east of the Salem area Chuck said. There was family there from Skamokawa to British Columbia, and in-between, so it made for quite a reunion. Getting together from their branch of the family, were siblings Chuck, Anita, Beverly and Mike in attendance but unfortunately their brother Dick was ill, so he was unable to attend. According to Chuck, they solved a few world problems and a good time was had by all.

MEETING--Also according to Chuck Parker, the WHS Class of 1958 will hold a pre-reunion meeting this Friday at Teri's Restaurant in Longview, 3225 Ocean Beach Hwy., so if you're a member of this class and you'd like to join in with your fellow classmates, head up there to see what's going on. It seems the group is having their WHS 60th class reunion at Parker's Restaurant in Castle Rock sometime in September, so if you can't make it to the meeting this Friday, then you may want to give Chuck or another classmate a call to get filled in on all the plans for the upcoming special occasion.