Be sure to spring ahead this Saturday before bed

WEATHER--I was happy to see some warmer temperatures at the end of last week and it was very pleasant to see some sunshine coming through the windows that was not accompanied by freezing temperatures outside! However, that all changed as the days went by and we woke up to just 22 degrees in West Valley on Sunday morning and it was down in the teens on Monday morning. I can't say that the freezing temperatures thrilled me, but that clear blue sky and bright sunshine was certainly enjoyable! With temperatures on the minus side in several areas where some of my family are, and huge snow storms, avalanches, tornadoes and flooding in other parts of the country, I guess we can't complain too much about just being a little nippy.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from March 7 to 13 are Mark Whitaker, Shannon Meeker, Quin Bassi Sr., Jami Rainey, Gretchen Mahitka, Rick Kuljis, Gladys Mace, Karlie Helms-Lampitt, Tracy Tomlinson, Teah McNally, Rhiannon McNally, Azery Gribskov, Micaela Sause, Adam Phelps, Ian Turner, Sandy Wirkkala, Jean Wallin, Kennedy Moonen, Phil Vik, John Vik, Mary Thomas, Milt Doumit, Dwight Blackshear, Paul Ehrensberger, Kelly Zink, Veryle West, Ralph Kenner, Larry Bond, Brandi Arness, Karen Johnson Lawrence and Amy Bernard. Belated birthday wishes go out to Linda Stiltz and Kara Pierson. Hope your birthdays were terrific!

Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Jake and Hayden Schillios, Ray and Terri Slape and Frank and Cynda Webb. May your special days be magical for you this year!

CONGRATS--We are all happy to welcome our Lady Mules back home with some State BB "hardware" as that accomplishment is not obtained easily. We know they wanted to take first place, but bringing home third place is pretty doggone good, so congratulations to these young ladies for all their hard work and dedication to their sport; you made us all proud. Good job! Also, great job to the band as I'm sure having them there was a real bonus.

FRIDAY NIGHT--We're back to the Free Movies on Friday nights again, so if you'd like a cheap night out, then head to the Community Center in Cathlamet at 101 Main Street, to the right of the Cathlamet Market. As always, the movies begin at 7 p.m., and there's always free popcorn. You can bring in your own snacks too. This week they are showing an adult drama. Stop by the center for more info.

THIS SATURDAY--Once again, the second Saturday of the month is a busy one. So this Saturday, March 9, you can start the day off by heading down here to Skamokawa for their monthly Flea Market. It's held at the Wah. Co. Fairgrounds in the Youth Building and lists their hours as being from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is not just used items that are for sale, as there are a lot of vendors/crafts people who are selling their creations.

While you're down this way, head to the new exhibit "Water Journey" in the River Life Interpretive Center located on the second floor of the historic Redmen Hall/Central School building on the corner of SR 4 and East Valley Road. This exhibit, featuring artist Stan Riedesel, will be at the hall until mid-April, with the hall being open Thursdays through Sundays, noon to four. However, there will be an opening reception from 1 to 3 p.m., on March 9. For more information call 360-795-3007.

Also that day, beginning at 10 a.m., you may want to stop by the Community Center in Cathlamet and take part in their Seed Exchange program that begins at 10 a.m. I spoke about that last week, so hopefully you've got your extra seeds all labeled and ready to swap with others.

Once you've gotten some bargains and enjoyed the new exhibit, then you can enjoy your evening hours playing bingo at the Norse Hall. For you new folks, the Sons of Norway lodge is located at 444 SR 409 on Puget Island and games take place on the lower level with the entry point on the left side (south) of the building as you face it. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the games for cash prizes beginning at 6 p.m.

SPRINGING FORWARD--We all know what's happening this Sunday, March 10; yep, it's time to lose an hour of sleep by setting those clocks ahead one hour before you go to sleep on Saturday night! Springing forward is not always too popular, but then, neither is Fall-ing back so maybe one of these days we'll just have real time and quit messing with the clocks and adjust our lives accordingly. In the meantime though, don't forget to Spring ahead this Sunday!

THIS SUNDAY--I hope you've heard the news about the fabulous annual Chicken Dinner held at the Rosburg Community Hall, as it will take place this Sunday, March 10 from 11:30 to 2 p.m. I know that the Wah. Chamber of Commerce calendar has it listed as taking place the following week, but beings the date had to be changed, that is incorrect. So please spread the word that this full course chicken dinner, complete with salad bar and dessert, is coming right up, as you won't want to miss it! There are no advance tickets, as one just pays at the door, so there's no extra running around in order to buy those. Costs: Adults and teens are just $10, with the cost dropping to $6 for those who are eight to 12 and children who are four to seven years old, only cost $4. This is sponsored by the Rosburg Community Club and they put on a terrific dinner, so they hope you'll keep this Sunday open and enjoy your Sunday dinner with them!

WEDNESDAY--If you'd like to talk to your local law enforcement people in an informal setting, just head to the Duck Inn at 8 a.m., on Wednesday, March 13, where you can have "Coffee with a Cop!" We hope that most of you will just be there to share good stories and thank our officers on their good work, but if you do have a complaint, we hope you'll be civil and state your case calmly and mannerly and hopefully any issues you may have will be peacefully resolved.

MORE LOSSES--We certainly have been inundated with the losses of so many friends and family members lately, and unfortunately, those losses continue. I was so saddened to read in last week's Eagle, that Fred Aegerter had passed away. There just never seemed to be a time when Fred didn't have a smile on his face and a warm greeting for you, so those smiles will be missed, along with the friendly chats we'd always enjoyed. Fred was one of those guys at Wahkiakum High School that was just a pleasure to be around. While some upper classmen would have an "air" about them, we could always count on Freddie to greet us with politeness and kindness and never a hint of arrogance, a true gentleman. We certainly want to send our sincerest sympathies to his family members which include his wife, (Kooki) three children (Tony, Alex and Anna), his brother (John) and his grandchildren. No services will be held but you can make a donation in his name to the VFW Post 5297 in care of William Tawater, 80 N. Welcome Sl. Rd, Cathlamet, WA 98612 or the Cathlamet FFA at the Wahkiakum High School.

Also, I was very saddened to hear about Carlton Appelo passing on Feb. 12, and he would have been 97 in May. The community will surely miss such a wonderful, charitable man. His services were held March 2 at the Valley Bible Church. Our sympathies to his two children, Erik and Connie and their families. If you'd like to donate something in his memory, it can be mailed to: Appelo Archives Center, 1056 SR 4, Naselle, WA 98643.

Our sympathies to Ed Houston once again, as he lost his foster sister, Emma recently and we send our condolences to him and his family.

Sympathies also to Tim Pedersen as he lost a great boss, a mentor, a captain and a good friend when Michael Magee passed away recently. A gathering of his co-workers and friends was going to be held this Friday in Vancouver.