Saturday will be a busy day in Skamokawa

WILD WEATHER--As the weekend ended and the new work week began, we had some torrential downpours that carved a path down a lot of driveways, followed by some gloomy weather, which looked to bring more rain but then the sun came out, so it was a mix of sorts. With more stormy weather in the forecast, along with a couple of dry days, I hope we can get a little dry stretch in there so we can wrap up those summer chores that we've been putting off until now! Not to mention, we've got quite a few things going on this weekend, which are much more enjoyable when the weather is decent.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Sept.19-25 are Jay Mace, Tracy Carroll, Shona Heywood, Sam Longtain, Monte Longtain, David L. Vik, Bruce Holland, Theresa Jacobson, Ty Norris, Bob Ohrberg, Tammy Johnson, Dan Turner, Janelle Gilligan, Darlene Dobbins Almer, George Bates, Barbara Shaver, Edith Erickson, Leah Clark, Bret Havens, Larri Palmer, Karla Kyle and Lori Kyle. Here's hoping your upcoming birthdays are simply fabulous!

Belated birthday wishes go out to Merle Brockway, Linda Elliott and Marcia Snyder Brighton. I misplaced some of my lists; sorry about that!

Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Mr. and Mrs. Dan Keilwitz, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Vik, Mr. and Mrs Charles Parker and Mr. and Mrs. Ron Pedersen. May you all have wonderful anniversary celebrations this coming week!

OPEN MIC NIGHT--This Friday night, Sept. 20, it's time to head to the Skamokawa Grange Hall and check out the musicians that love to come together and make some happy music for everyone. They are inviting everyone to join them, by performing or if you just want to listen in, you're more than welcome to come and do that too. They will be signing in to peform at 5:45 p.m., and then the rotation begins at 6 p.m. At the end of the rotations, it's time for a jam session and of course, those can always be lots of fun. Vibes wants to remind you that there is no charge to take part in this musical evening, but donations to the Grange are truly appreciated. Last but not least, the coffee pot is always on, so sip some coffee, tap your toes and enjoy the evening at the grange, located at 18 Fairgrounds Road. If you have any questions, contact Jerry at 360-795-3434.

FRIDAY MOVIE--If music isn't your thing, then maybe a free movie along with free popcorn is more to your liking and you can do that at the Community Center in Cathlamet that evening beginning at 7 p.m. The center is located on Main Street before you go up town hill. This week, the movie is an adult foreign documentary that is not rated.

SATURDAY--This is going to be a busy day for many reasons, but one thing is sure, you need to head to Skamokawa this Saturday! First of all, you can head to the Skamokawa Grange Hall as they will hold a rummage sale from 9 to 3 p.m. If you're reading this early enough, and you have a few things you'd like to get rid of, contact Becky Ledtke at 360-795-3434 and let her know. You'll help yourself by clearing out a few cupboards and help the shoppers by having more things for people to buy and it helps support the Grange as well; a win, win all around!

If you were to come back from the sale around noon, you could stop by Redmen Hall/Central School and check out their newest exhibit, "Falling Leaves" with many items in this theme surrounding our latest season: Fall/Autumn. With a wide variety of artists partaking in this exhibit, there will naturally be several different kinds of items shown, so there will be anything from watercolors to photography or beading to ceramics and more. There's bound to be something to suit your fancy!

Of course, from the hall, you will also be able to spot the other event going on in town, as it's the Fall Kite Festival at Skamokawa Vista Park that day, so you'll definitely want to head over there and check them out. We're hoping for some kite flying weather and we never know just what Mother Nature has in store for us, so we'll keep our fingers crossed for some decent weather with a nice breeze to get those colorful kites up in the air. But, like I said, there are a couple of other things going on down here, so if the kites can't fly, you can still check out the rummage sale and all the goodies at Redmen Hall!

CONGRATS!--The front cover of the "Columbia River Reader" certainly had a familiar face on it, as local Levi Helms' smiling face was beaming out at us in this month's copy. The caption reads, "The Prince of Tides - Kayaking the Columbia" which of course, references the Columbia River Kayaking group that has their business located in Skamokawa. In case you didn't know, it's located along Steamboat Slough Road at the Skamokawa Landing building, on the left hand side of that building, and gives lessons and tours along our area's waterways. As a matter of fact, they will be putting on a Gray's Bay tour this Saturday, Sept. 21 at 9 a.m., but you'll have to contact them ASAP if you want to be included in it. Call 360-747-1044.

HAD VISITORS--I got a call from the Chuck Parkers and they wanted to know if I'd had any recent "visitors" lately, of the black and furry nature? At the time, I said "no" but Chuck assured me that their apple trees were getting visited by some hungry sows and their cubs, like seven of them, so more than likely, I would get a visit as well. The very next day, the neighbors along the highway posted some pictures of black bears under their apple trees and sure enough, later that afternoon, I got some of those apple crunchers myself; so much for my apple pie!

I can remember when we moved in here, that Mrs. Quigley told me that those trees were planted, not only for the fruit they bore to make apple pies, applesauce, or apple cider, but for the "meat" they brought to them as well. Naturally, the deer and the bears come to chow down on the fruit too, so not only could they have fruit for the winter, but they could have a freezer full of venison and some bear meat to boot! I'm the "live and let live" type though, so I'll just try to salvage a few apples and let the other critters run around as they bring me some of nature's greatest free entertainment!

MUSEUM--I got to share docent duties at the Wah. Co. Historical Society's Museum in Cathlamet this past Sunday with Judy Brawn, and while it was quiet at first, we then had a nice splash of enthusiasm come through the door, when a couple with five kids came to visit. Judy immediately gathered up the "scavenger hunt" game/booklets for the three older kids to play and they had a great time searching the place for all the various items, and even went through all of the "books" while they were there and had a great time. Their parents wandered through with their twin seven month old daughters, while they talked about possibly making a move to our neck of the woods, so we had quite the chat. They truly loved the area, loved coming to the museum and I do hope they wind up making Wahkiakum County their home!

Remember, the museum, located at 65 River Street, is open on weekends through October from 1 to 4 p.m., both days. There is a ton of information there about the different families here in this community, thanks to Kari Kandoll, as well as a lot of pictures too, so if you're looking to find your "roots," you might want to check out the file drawers there at the museum, and a good way to spend a rainy day!

Also, if you've got someone on your Christmas list that has absolutely everything, why not make a donation in their name to the museum, as it's a gift that will truly benefit everyone. There is also a "Memorial" donation option so that you can donate in honor/memory of those who have passed away, and their name would then be entered into the record books and listed in it, so that's pretty special too. So, whether it's someone who passed away a long time ago, or just recently, you can make that memorial donation. You can send it to the address listed above in Cathlamet, WA 98612.

REMINDERS--Next Thursday, Sept. 26, is the day that the winner of the quilt raffle will be announced, so you've only got a few more days to get those tickets at the Bank of the Pacific, and they are just $5 each. This is a fund raiser for the Pioneer Center Restoration project, so your help and support would be truly appreciated. Here's hoping you are the lucky winner of this fabulous quilt made and donated by the "River City Strippers."

Also, next Friday, Sept. 27, is the last Farmer's Market at the Elochoman Slough Marina, so here's hoping it's a good turn out for their last market of the season. Just in case you forgot, this event is held from 4 to 7 p.m.

DUCKS UNLIMITED--Just a reminder to those who belong and support the Elochoman Ducks Unlimited group, as your annual banquet is coming up next Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Duck Inn. The doors will open at 3 p.m., for this event with dinner being served at 5 p.m., and as always, there will be live and silent auctions. Tickets are available at the Duck or at the Skamokawa Resort. Call 360-795-6055 for more info.

PLAYING AT OPENING--Former resident, Layton Elliott, and the "Bloody Pirates" will play for the "World's End" grand opening on Sept. 28 at 5 p.m., in Long Beach, so if you happen to be down around 101 Pacific Ave. South, stop by and enjoy some old time rock and roll and maybe a pirate song or two!