Wine tasting and auction Saturday

GORGEOUS--As we started the week, which was in the midst of our three day Labor Day weekend, it was truly gorgeous out! You can't beat blue skies, sunshine and mid-70s temperatures, which are just a perfect equation I think, as it's nice but not too hot! I will say that you can feel "Fall in the air" however, as evening temperatures are in the mid-40s and it's just a bit nippy in the early morning hours. Currently, forecasters are talking about a shift in the weather pattern and so by the end of this week, we may find ourselves being refreshed by some rain. The wet forecast may not bode well for some that are planning outdoor activities, but it's sure going to give our plants and lawns another much needed watering, so it's not all bad.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Sept. 6-12 are Tristan Collupy, Glenn Weist, Fred Bennett, Orville Lindsey, Carla Keilwitz, R. J. Brown, Shirley Rose, Bobbie Gaines, Ed Johnson, Cora Irving, Janet Seaberg, Amanda Poler, Brittney Helms-Lampitt, Tina Schubert, Richard Bigler, Valerie Wallin, Shayne Hoven, Jacob Hoven, Rex Gilbertsen, Paul Toney, Nathan Takko, Jo Reed, Samantha Pedersen and 67'er Rich West.

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Brad McNally, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Pedersen, Mr. and Mrs. John Hoven Jr. and Scott and Jen Pedersen. May all your special days be absolutely wonderful for all of you.

FRIDAY MOVIE--The free movie at the Community Center in Cathlamet this Friday evening is going to be an adult drama. This will take place on Sept. 7 at 7 p.m., and as always, there is free popcorn and you can also bring in your own snacks.

FLEA MARKET--The Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds will be all a bustle this weekend as those looking to buy or sell their "treasures" will be down here in the Youth Building from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., so come on down and check it out! If you'd like to rent a table, contact Patty Dursteler at 360-795-3480 and leave a message.

THIS IS IT!--The Friends of Skamokawa hope to see you at the Skamokawa Grange Hall this Saturday evening, Sept. 8, as their Wine and Auction Event will take place once again, and it should be a really good one. The spirited bidding wars are always a fun thing to listen to, and better yet, take part in so we hope to see some more of that "I just have to have it" kind of bidding once again! All the action begins at 6:30 p.m., and goes until approx.10 p.m., as there are silent and live auctions, as well as the wine tasting and food part, which is always enjoyable. This year, not only are the wines going to come from "around the world" but the food/appetizers, will be coming from the professional kitchens of members of Wahkiakum County and beyond, so we'll all be anxious to see the wide variety of items that will be served up. Please help support the Friends of Skamokawa by attending this enjoyable fund raiser, as they continue to keep the historic Central School/Redmen Hall building preserved for years to come. Tickets in advance are $15 each or two for $25 and tickets at the door will be $5 more, so buy yours today, as they are availble here at the Skamokawa Resort/Store or up at Redmen Hall or at Daisy Chain Floral in Cathlamet.

BINGO--If you're not into wines or auctions, you can head over to the Norse Hall on Puget Island and play some bingo this Saturday evening, and maybe you'll win one of those cash prizes that they give away. With Christmas coming, a little extra money is always a good thing! Doors open at 5:30 and cards are $5 each.

The Sons of Norway had a 50/50 cash pot going at the fair this year, and I believe the winner of that pot will be drawn this week as well, so we'll be excited to hear just who the lucky winner is!

Remember, the Sons of Norway always meets on the first Wednesday evening of the month at the Norse Hall, and you're more than welcome to stop by and join them, even if you're not Norwegian! Their meetings always start at 7 p.m., and take place in the lower level of the Norse Hall with the entry on the left hand side of the building.

SCHOOL STARTED--With the start of this new month, the Moms and Dads are busily getting those kids out the door and onto the bus in the morning hours, as our school began their classes this last Tuesday. With some school teachers still on strike, I was happy to hear that our group of educators came to the table and worked out a deal that averted delaying things. Now with all the kids and their activities in full swing, please remember to watch out for the school buses as they travel along their route and don't pass them when their "stop" paddles are out. We also need to watch out for the children standing alongside the various roadways waiting for their ride, as well as those walking to school, who just might be slightly distracted, so slowing down when approaching them might be a great idea.

MULES WIN--We were sure happy that the WHS Mule Football team began their season with a win over Colfax, so it's great to have a young team start off with a great morale booster this past Saturday afternoon. Way to go Mules! I also heard that the JV team turned in a very solid win and trounced their opponents in Warrenton with a score of 38 - 0, so congratulations to them as well. Coming up this Friday night, the Mules varsity team will head to Adna and play a game at 7 p.m. Good luck Mules!

CLASS OF 58 REUNION--Calling all members of the Wahkiakum High School Class of 1958: it's time for your 60th reunion! This will take place at Parker's Steakhouse in Castle Rock, at 3 p.m., this Saturday, Sept. 8. They will also meet the following day, Sept. 9 at Izzy's in Kelso for brunch at 10 a.m., and if any other classmates would like to stop by, you're more than welcome to come by and say hello. For more information on this, you can contact Karen Everman Davis at 425-357-8024. I actually got to meet Karen at the Wah. Co. Fair this year, and it was nice to put a face to the name, and I appreciate her calling me and letting me help her spread the word about this reunion. Hope everyone has a great time!

THINKING OF HIM--Speaking of classmates, one of Wahkiakum High School's Class of 1966 class members, John Peterson, is currently in a Vancouver hospital and could use our positive thoughts and prayers said on his behalf. I am told that he is dealing with several medical issues, and we hope by the time you read this, that he will have undergone some surgery to relieve some of them and I'll be able to pass on some good news next week. In the meantime, we want to send him our very best "get well wishes" and we hope he's on his way to a full recovery real soon.

BERRY SALES--Time is counting down fast, so this is just about your last chance to order frozen berries from the Lions Club, as they have a deadline of Sept. 10 as their last day to get in those orders. That's this coming Tuesday, don't delay in getting that order form from one of the many businesses in Cathlamet, which include the banks, the restaurants and even the Chevron station, so grab that form ASAP and check out all the various berries that are for sale. You can call Renee at 360-849-4003 for more information or to get that order in quickly. I'm pretty sure that Lions Club member, Carol McClain, in Skamokawa, could probably help you out too if you can't catch up with Renee. Call her at 360-795-3337.

ESPRESSO HOURS--Beginning this week, the Ship Channel Coffee Trailer located in Sk. Vista Park will change to their winter hours. They will be closed Monday through Wednesday but open Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m., to 1 p.m., and then on Saturday and Sundays, they will be open from 7 a.m., to 1 p.m. The coffee trailer has been a great addition to the park and is operated by the port. Vista Park has been very busy this year and this past weekend, it was really booming. With Fall coming, and the hunters ready to converge on the area, I'm sure they'll be staying busy, and they'll appreciate the coffee trailer being there as well.

LOOKING AHEAD--We have a couple of big things going on next month, as the Grays River Covered Bridge Dinner will take place Oct. 6. You won't want to delay in getting your tickets for that. Call the Wah. Co. Extension office at 360-795-3278 and reserve yours now!

Also, the "Tidy up the Town" event in Cathlamet, will take place on Oct. 27 so organizer Patricia Battaglia would love to see a good group of hard working volunteers spruce things up once again. Earlier this year, several folks got together and they did a terrific job during their Spring clean up, and with the pretty blue pots and flower arrangements added to the town's decor, it looked real nice. But with the passing months, it's now time for the Fall clean up session, so they hope you'll bring your tools and gloves and dig in once again!

Down here in Skamokawa, there will be the wonderful, always fun, Halloween Haunted House and the Halloween Carnival at the end of October, so stay tuned for more information about that as the dates get closer.