Another bear sighting in Skamokawa area

LAST WEEK--At the end of last week, it sure poured, as by bedtime on Friday night, we were just shy of an inch and a half of rain that day, so it was a real soaker. Luckily, even though the skies were black in the morning, the rain let up for Saturday and we wound up with a pretty decent day. Forecasters say that we may even have a few drier days with some warmer temperatures coming our way this week, so that would certainly be enjoyable after the soaking we got!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Oct. 11-17 are Heidi Heywood, Sami McKinley, Kalisha Mace, Katie Webb, Lindsey Brown, Cameron Collins, Randy Kuhn, Ivy Lou Vik, Kristina Heiner, Ron D. Cothren, Peter and Paul LaBerge, Tyler Cothren, Lisa Sauer, Heidi Knowles, Heather Knowles Ratcliff, Josie Parker, Gary Tischer, Curt Moore and Dixie Anderson.

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Brent Mahitka, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Reid, Joe and Sheryl Weaver and Keith and Karen Lawrence. May you all have wonderful celebrations on your special days!

NEW ADDITION--It seems the nice weather showed up just in time for the wedding ceremony of Bryce McClain to Kelly Smith in Ferndale this past Saturday. We want to wish the newlyweds our heartiest congratulations. Bryce is the youngest son of Steve and Debbie McClain of Skamokawa, and the whole McClain family was there to join in on this happy occassion.

REUNION PLANS--I got a call from Helen Keyser who told me of the plans that the WHS Class of 1959 are making for their 60th class reunion next year. Those in charge need a little help in rounding up all those alumni addresses, so they can be notified of the event. Give Helen a call at 360-849-4236. The Class of 1959 is also inviting the Classes of 1958 and 1960 to join them and have a great time catching up with one another.

FRIDAY NIGHT--At 7 p.m., on Oct. 12, at the community center in Cathlamet an adult drama starring Gregory Peck will be shown. As always, the movie is free and so is the popcorn and you're allowed to bring in your own snacks too, so here's to enjoying a great flick if you're not going to the football game!

MULES--The Wahkiakum Mules football team handled the Toutle Lake Ducks team with a mighty stomping last week, as they beat them so, kudos to them for coming through in great fashion. This week, it's a special game on Friday night, as it's Senior Night, which is held at the last home game each season.The Lady Mules will play volleyball away for their next couple of matches, as on Oct. 11 they will be in Toledo and then they'll play in Kalama after that. Here's to more wins for the Lady Mules as well!

For the Mules Cross Country team, it's League Championship time in Rainier next Thursday, Oct. 18.

FLEA MARKET--It's time to head to the Wahkiakum County fairgrounds as the monthly flea market will take place from 9 to 3 on Oct. 13. It's time to check out their bargains and various vendors, and if you're cleaning house, it might be time to rent a table for $10 and sell some of your own things as well!

FAIR FOUNDATION--While you're at the Flea Market, please check out the Bake Sale and Silent Auction that will take place there, which is being put on by the Fair Foundation. Monies they raise go towards various projects and other fair related goals. Also, according to Lore Twiet, this is the last chance to buy tickets for the wooden bench and planter boxes that were part of their Fall Raffle as the winning tickets will be drawn that day.

OPENING RECEPTION--Come down to the Redmen Hall/Central School this Saturday from 1 to 3 and meet Beth Bailey, whose aristry will be on display there in her "River Wanderings Art Exhibition." For more information call the hall at 360-795-3007. Their regular hours of business are Thursday through Sunday, 12 to 4.

GRAND OPENING--Congratulations to the owners of the "new" Rosburg Store, as they will hold their Grand Opening on Oct. 19 from noon to 1 p.m. The store will actually be open a few days prior to that, but the grand opening is on Friday. We wish Ed and Roni Miller the very best.

BLOOD DRIVE--It's that time of year when blood donations are really needed. A current blood drive in our area will take place on Oct. 25 in the lobby of the Hotel Cathlamet from 1 to 6 p.m. If you want to help the cause, please make an appointment by calling Patti Phillips 360-795-8821 or go to the website: http://www.redcrossblood.org sponsor code: Wahkiakum. They hope to see you there!

DEADLINE COMING SOON--Is your group or organization having a fund raising event next year? If so, the more advertising about it, the better, and there's no better way to do that than by getting listed on the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce calendar. However, the deadline to get your information to them is apporoaching quickly, with just a little over a month before their Nov. 16 deadline. Be sure to call them and have all the necessary information available.

THINKING OF THEM--We've got word that a few people we know are under the weather and fighting various health issues, and we want to give a shout out to Dave Heiner and Kelly Recupero and let them know we're thinking of them. It's no fun having to deal with surgeries and different diseases that can really change the way we live, so we hope these two are able to feel better and get back to a more enjoyable state of health real soon. Take care!

ANOTHER SIGHTING--It seems that our local guest has made yet another appearance, as not only did the McLauglins see a bear around here, but Chuck and Sheran Parker did too. This time, it was a mama bear and her young cub, which came sauntering up the hill from our place! After a bit of inspection and observation, the apple trees in the neighborhood are a big hit with the bears, so if you don't want them coming to visit you this time of year, don't plant one! If you're not into hunting or eating game, you'd better be prepared to make some noise when exploring the back 40 or you might bump into a rather large apple thief!

GREAT GIFT GIVING IDEA--Sometimes we see a lot of negativity on our televisions, in the paper and on other social media applications and it can be a little disheartening. However, a recent Facebook posting showed that some people can really share good ideas that they heard about, and so I'm sharing one of them. When giving your kids Christmas gifts this year, why not follow this great example, which Tracy Ostling said she heard about on FB. We all know that when it comes to kids and Christmas, things can get out of hand, so have your child make a wish list, and follow these four rules: First, they should write down something that they really want. Second, they should write down something they actually need. Then, they need to wish for an item that they can wear, and fourth, they should wish for something they can read. I thought this was a great idea. Tracy added that they also pick a star off of one of our special trees around town and buy those items for someone who would not otherwise have a very good Christmas; awesome!