SON breakfast, music at Duffy's for St. Paddy's Day

SUNSHINE--This past weekend started out with two of my favorite things: sunshine and no snow! With several days last week ending with very cold, freezing temperatures and a couple of mornings beginning with quite a bit of snow, it was fairly challenging to think spring would be here soon. However, as I'm getting ready to send this in, we're back to rain after a gorgeous beginning on Monday which turned to rain by evening, and the forecasters say we're in for some milder temperatures this week with some clouds, some rain but yet maybe some sun breaks, so we hope that happens.

SETTLED IN?--We all had to do a lot of clock setting at the beginning of this week as we had to "Spring Forward" so, how did that work out for you? Were you frustrated because you lost an hour? Were you unfazed by it all and it didn't even matter? Or maybe you're like me and are still trying to recuperate from that lost hour? From the sounds of it, Washington may join other states and forget about changing the clocks back and forth and just leave them how they are now, so how do you feel about that? I'm sure we'll all settle in and be fine whatever happens, but I'm still leaning towards the set it and forget it mode.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from March 14-20 are Grace Helms-Lampitt, Brandy Britt, Gaylene Johnson, Jon Elven, Mariah Souvenir, Laurie Miller, Lance Souvenir, Connie Bassi, Leroy Wika, Cathy LaBerge, Katie Turgeon, Elizabeth Norris, Brieanna Olsen, Terry Goble, David Cothren, Colin Stewart, Lucy Bosch, Pat Kehrli, Lanie Hannah, Carol Wegdahl, Randy Hoven, and Gene Healy.

Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Tracy Carroll and Serene Snow, Bill and Shelley Olsen, Pam and Layton Elliott and Kevin and Janelle Gilligan. May you all have wonderful birthday and anniversary celebrations this coming week.

FRIDAY MOVIE--Once again, it's time for a free movie at the Community Center in Cathlamet this Friday night, beginning at 7 p.m. This is a comedy/drama for youth and adults. As always, you can bring in your own snacks to eat, and no one under 12 is allowed to be there without an adult present. With Sharon's Pizza Mill closed for remodeling right now, you won't be able to have them bring you a pizza to enjoy. They'll be back up and running they said after the 18th.

ALSO FRIDAY/TSUGA GALLERY--Due to some really tough weather events, the Tsuga Gallery had to call off one of their events featuring one of our local talents, Becky Ledtke, but they hope the forecast for better weather holds true and that they can feature her and this special event on Friday evening, March 15 from 5 to 7 p.m., without a hitch! There's a special going on during this time, as Becky and her "Heavy Stone Jewelry" are offering those that purchase one of her necklaces, or even wears one that they previously purchased from her, will receive a free pair of Austrian Swarovski Crystal Heart Earrings. How great is that? Joining Becky will be her hubby, Jerry and special guest, Cliff Garrison, and they will be your entertainers for the evening. Snacks and refreshments will be provided, so here's hoping that before you go to the free movie, you'll come down and check out Becky's beautiful jewelry and listen to a bit of music to boot!

SONS OF NORWAY--Are you looking for a "wee bit o' breakfast" on St. Patrick's Day for a wee price? If so, you can head over to the Norse Hall on Puget Island on St. Patrick's Day from 8 to 10 a.m., and for just $5, the Sons of Norway lodge members will be more than happy to serve you up a plate! The menu for this S of N breakfast is biscuits and gravy and sausage and scrambled eggs. I'll just bet there'll be a cup of coffee available too!

This is a fund raiser for their Scholarship Fund, so we hope you can come out and enjoy a great breakfast and help a good cause as well.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY--It's time for the "wear'in o' the green" as like I said above, St. Patrick's Day is coming up this Sunday, March 17. I'm sure all our local restaurants and bars will be serving up the Irish favorite dishes for dinner and maybe even a green beer or other green drink, so be sure to check them out and support your local establishments. As the Irish would say: "May your troubles be less, your blessings be more and nothing but happiness come through your door!" Have a wonderful "Green Day" and may you find a lucky Four-Leaf Clover along the way!

MUSIC OVER THE HILL--You're all invited to head to Duffy's Irish Pub on March 16 and 17, as Layton Elliott tells me that the "Blood Pirates & Friends" will play there over the St. Patrick's Day weekend, so if you have a hankering for some live music, head that way Saturday or Sunday (TTBD)!

OPEN MIC--In just a couple of weeks, it will be time to head to the Skamokawa Grange Hall and enjoy "March Open Mic Music Night." The musical talents in this area are really quite outstanding and these open mic nights give everybody a chance to come sing and play your guitar, or whatever, and have a real fun time. So, on Saturday afternoon, March 23, you are invited to sign up to play at 3:45 p.m., with the music starting at 4 p.m. As always, the coffee pot will be on and the jam session part takes place at the end of the performers' rotation, and that can certainly be a real blending of a lot of wonderful musicians and singers. There is no fee to take part, but a donation towards the Grange Hall would certainly be appreciated. For more information, you can call 360-795-3434.

CHURCH DINNER--The Skamokawa United Methodist Church will host a Ham Dinner on March 30 from 5 to 7:30 p.m., and it will include ham, scalloped potatoes, veggies, roll and dessert for just $8 for 13 yrs. to adults; a great deal! There will be just a $6 charge for those from ages six to 12 and under five are free. Part of the proceeds from this fund raiser go to help the GAP Meal program, so it's a good cause. They hope to see you down this way in a couple of weeks!

VOLUNTEER NEEDED ASAP--Do you have a bit of spare time? Like to paint? Willing to paint? Well, Kari Kandoll, from the Wahkiakum County Historical Society and our museum curator, has been very busy trying to get the place ready to open up in May, but time is flying by and she needs a little help. You see, she needs a couple of sheets of plywood/paneling to be sealed and painted on both sides; they probably need two coats. So, if anybody would like to do a good deed and really help Kari and the museum out, we hope you'll give her a call. 360-849-4353.

GREAT DINNER--We couldn't pass up the annual chicken dinner at the Rosburg Hall this past Sunday, and as always, it was a real nice dinner. I love the salad bar, as they have a very wide variety and it seems they make all my favorites, like that broccoli and raisin dish and the celery and crab one, along with those tasty jello ones, like the pistachio fluff one; yum! After one has enjoyed the salad bar, the main course comes out, complete with a warm roll, which is just a must, and to top off the whole dinner, it's homemade pies, oh my! Somebody sure knows how to make a flaky crust, which is quite a feat in itself, and we certainly enjoyed the two different kinds that we had. Kudos to all the cooks and the servers and everyone involved. Great job as always!