Flea market at fair grounds this Saturday

NICE OUT--As the work week began, we were enjoying the blue skies and sunshine after some morning fog. While the moisture was a bit heavy, it's the sort of combo of damp and sunny that seemingly makes the grass grow right before our eyes! Monday was quite warm and even broke some records for the date, so all your new plants definitely needed a drink. With a warm stretch possible, I certainly hope everyone is vigilant and reports anyone who appears to have somehow forgotten a child or an animal in their car!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 9-15 are Ashleigh Montgomery, Rosalie Webb, Christeena Bassi, Kerrie McNally, Bryce McClain, Trevor Gorley, Josh Phelps, Katharine E. Parker, Steve Rabelos, Sawyer Peek, Ashlenn Coleman, Ryan Lorenzo, Evan Quigley, Leeann Grasseth, Angela Dickson, Vicki Bergseng, Bobbi Peek, Erica Nepsund, Molly Hanigan, Shelly Hedges, Stephanie Cochran Prestegard, Stacey Wegdahl, Steve Doumit, Patty Ingersol, Kaelee Paulsen, Priscilla Gray, Sage Miller, Jayden LaRouche, David Rust, Ashley Jorgensen, Parker Rusk, Mercedes Pedersen, Leslie Monroe and my eldest son, Pete Sechler, who was born on Mother's Day and once again, celebrates his birthday on that day as well!

Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Frank and Carolyn Pedersen, Jon and Brenda Peterson and John and Sharon Buennagel. May you all have wonderful anniversary celebrations this week.

THIS FRIDAY--The free movie and popcorn night will take place Friday, May 10, at 7 p.m., at the Community Center in Cathlamet. It is an NR movie, listed for everyone, but we all know that the little ones wouldn't be into those classic thriller type movies. As always, you can bring in your own treats and can order pizza from the local pizza place to have it delivered to the center prior to the movie. Call 360-795-3311 if you're interested.

SATURDAY EVENTS--It looks to be a nice day on Saturday, May 11, so it will be a great time to head to the Youth Building at the Wahkiakum Co. Fairgrounds and check out all the good deals at their monthly Flea Market, which starts at 9 a.m., and ends at 3 p.m. This market has used items, but they also have many talented vendors trying to sell their crafts, so depending on who's signed up that day, there can be items from jewelry to painting to woodwork and more. They hope to see you at the fairgrounds this Saturday, and although the mornings can be chilly, the Youth Building is heated, so you'll be warm and cozy while you shop!

Saturday will be the night for all bingo lovers to head to the Norse Hall on Puget Island. The Sons of Norway lodge members will have the doors open at 5:30 and games begin at 6 p.m. Cards are $5 each and cash prizes are awarded. Good luck!

SUNDAY--I hope you remembered that this Sunday is Mother's Day and that you've made some sort of plans to celebrate with that special lady in your life. Happy Mother's Day! Be sure to check out our local restaurants for their dinner specials that day.

NEXT SATURDAY--A couple of big events will take place next Saturday, May 18, as the 4-H White Tail Run is always a fun event for those who enjoy walking, jogging or running around the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge. If you haven't signed up yet, or you want to find out more about it, contact the Wah. Co. Extension office at 360-795-3278.

Also that day, all horse lovers will be at the Wah. Co. Fairgrounds for the Silver Buckle Series. Contact the fair at 360-795-3480 and leave a message for Patty Dursteler if you need more info.

NICE WRITE UP--Congratulations to Don and Kitty Speranza, as their place in Skamokawa, "The Inn at Crippen Creek Farm" was one of seven farms featured in the AAA Via Magazine recently. This story featured country inns that are also working farms. It also offers hands-on experiences with the farming culture if you so desire. If you haven't been to the ICCF, you may want to check out their website and find out when their dinners are taking place, or one of their bread making classes are available, etc., and check it all out first hand.

GOOD NEWS--Awhile back, over 60 concerned Skamokawa residents gathered at the Roadkill Saloon during a Neighborhood Watch meeting, to express their frustration with some major thefts and other issues that had been going on around here. At that time, Sheriff Howie gave us all some great tips on how to make our homes and property less vulnerable to property thieves and to count on our neighbors to help watch out for suspicious traffic or people that don't live in the area. Recently, I was very happy to learn that since the Neighborhood Watch gathering, crimes in our area were way down, so banding together has really made a difference. Keep up the good work!

NEW FOLKS--I have seen an increasing amount of people who have moved to our area, and we certainly want to welcome those of you who have come to Skamokawa. I hope you'll take part in the above mentioned "Neighborhood Watch" program and by introducing yourself to those around you, you'll get to know them and they can clue you in as to what each valley and each area around town, is doing to combat crime around here. This is truly a community effort and if you'll be living here, it's comforting to know that you've got a lot of good people looking out for you. If you want, you can always call me and I can fill you in.

GREAT TIME--I got to leave the area for a bit this past week and headed off to Seattle. While I was there, I got to do a couple of firsts, as I went downtown along the waterfront and took a ride on the big ferris wheel down there. The view was great and since we did it in the evening, the skyline was really pretty with all the lit up buildings and of course, the Space Needle was looking mighty impressive. Right next to the ferris wheel is a virtual reality ride that has you soaring over the northwest like an eagle, and you dive down along the coastline and soar the white capped mountains and more, and while fairly short, the ride was really pretty awesome, so if you get a chance to go, I think you'd really enjoy it!

I also got to have a nice visit with former Puget Islander, Bernice Tover Ellison, who although she is now in her 90's, is still zipping down the freeway and still selling Avon. What a gal! I have known one of her niece's, Amanda "Punky" Tover, all my life, but on that day, I also got to meet her other niece, Holly, who lives in Portland. After she spent the first half of the day visiting with her aunt, once I showed up, it was my turn to get in a couple hours of gab. As I was leaving, Bernice handed me some lefse from the Norwegian store nearby, but we agreed that "back in the day," her Mom was one of the best lefse makers on Puget Island!

Of course, the main reason for heading to Seattle was because my only granddaughter was going to graduate from college and this was going to be one of the few times to be able see all four grandkids! This also meant that Pete and Katie Sechler were super busy as they prepared for this upcoming graduation ceremony of their only daughter, Tessa, at Washington State University and beings she had to fly up from So. California, where she is currently involved with the Special Olympics, it meant airport trips and rental car plans and house rentals and more, in preparation for the family to head to Pullman. A hearty congratulations to Tessa on her accomplishments thus far. Watch out world, here she comes!

SON COMING UP--Just a heads up for a couple of things happening for the Sons of Norway Lodge on Puget Island. With a wedding being planned at the Norse Hall later this month, members are reminded that a cleaning party is being planned for May 18 at 10 a.m., and then they'll also be doing some baking for the wedding on May 20 at 10 a.m., so members will be plenty busy this month.

Plus, next month, they will once again take part in the Puget Island Garage and Yard Sale, aka PIGYS, happening at the end of June, as they will serve pulled pork sandwiches on June 28 and 29. So, while you're having fun shopping around the Island at the sale, don't forget to get fueled back up by stopping at the Norse Hall and taking a bit of a breather and a lunch break!

Meetings are always on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m., so their next meeting will happen on June 5 and everyone is welcome to stop by and check them out. You don't even have to be a Norskie to join!

SO MANY THINGS--I keep hearing from folks who are wanting to hold new things/events/dinners, etc., in our area, and while on one hand, that's great, on the other, it can be really challenging. If you are trying to host a new event in this area, I would suggest consulting the Wah. Chamber of Commerce Events Calendar prior to picking a date. Remember, there are only so many people around here and they can't be everywhere at once, so the date for new events needs to be thought about carefully and advertised well in advance (a year for big events) and smaller ones need months of advance notice and subsequent publicity, which means radio stations, other newspapers, posters, flyers and more. Trust me, there is no such thing as too much advertising!