Memorial Day to be on Monday, May 30

DECENT BEGINNING--I’m beginning this column on Sunday, and it’s starting out fairly decent. Then again, as we saw on Saturday, the sunny day can quickly become a wet one, complete with hail so we’re still dealing with this crazy Spring weather. Not everybody got this sudden burst of nasty weather but it certainly caught those who were in it off guard, as the sunshine had folks sporting light shirts in the 69 degree day, but when that wind brought in those heavy laden clouds that just dumped on us, well the temperature took a quick nose-dive and brought on the chilly temps and a need for a jacket!

RUNNING AMOK--Currently I am dealing with a “voicemail” issue, and I hope this newest “glitch” gets fixed shortly. If you need to get ahold of me, please keep calling until I answer the phone and don’t leave a voicemail, as who knows when this current situation will be corrected!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 26-June 1 are Asher Frink, Justin Rainey, Vance Miller, Jeanne Paulsen, Wes McClain, Benjamin McClain, Serene Snow, Devin Helms, Keil C. Parker, Stephanie Prestegard, Mark Schubert, Marilyn West, Patti LaBerge, Brooks Olsen, Denley Bardsley, Barb Bain, Gary Emery, Annika Vik, Gale Luthi, Katie Vegvary, Amy Knowles, Sharon Hart, Tim Rushing, Paul Spears, Chad Marsyla, Tylor Nortrup, Christina McCoy, Albert Bergseng, Rena Morris, Brooklynn Blain, Lisa K. Sechler and 67’er Linda Holland Toste.

Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Pete and Marja Ringen, Tylor and Chandler Nortrup, Zak and Amy Everman, Scott Kennedy and Eva Snow and Mr. and Mrs. Nick Boehler. May all of you who are celebrating special days this week have a wonderful time celebrating.

FUN TIME--Did you happen to make it to the fairgrounds for the mud wrestling event? It was quite a hoot, and I applaud all those that were brave enough to join in and get in that chilly, muddy mess and participate! I sat next to some folks who came from Willow Grove to see it and they and their son sure got a kick out of it. I also met some newcomers to the area, so they got to witness a bit of “country fun” amongst the locals; welcome to the county, Pam Hamilton!

FAIR SOON--The Wahkiakum County Fair will take place August 18-20, so now is the time to think about what you’re going to enter into the fair. Those entry items could get you a few blue ribbons and with those, you get some extra bucks. The list of items you can enter is lengthy; from sewing, quilting, to gardening & canned goods and from card making, to artwork & photography and more, so you’ve just got to be able to put something in the fair! Remember, there are always spots to fill for those jobs that need to be done, like supervisors or clean up people or ticket takers, so please consider volunteering as well. Call 360-795-3480 and let Patty know you’d like to get on a volunteer call list.

HAPPENING NOW--The “Cup of Sunshine” food bank challenge began on May 23 and you’ll have until June 3 to take part in this event which helps support our local food banks. Various businesses around Cathlamet have a place where you can donate a non-perishable food item. It is hoped that you’ll take part in that, and help your favorite business win a little prize. Of course, it is asked that you donate good, useable items that are not showing expired dates longer than six months. For more information, contact Sue Zabel at Jabber Shack 360-904-6065.

STARTING NEXT THURSDAY--Hey, Seniors who are 60 years old and up, June 2 is right around the corner, so if you’d like to enjoy a nice lunch with other seniors, head to the Hope Center beginning at noon. They are taking donations for this meal, so not only is this a great deal, cost wise, but it’s just the perfect time to meet with old friends and also make some new ones, as heaven only knows, our socializing time has been severely cramped these past couple of years. If you are new to the area, the Hope Center is located on the corner of Maple and 2nd Street, which is near the J.A. Wendt Grade School and was a former church, so it’s easy to spot.

COMING RIGHT UP--Beginning June 3 and running until Sept. 2, the annual Elochoman Marina Farmer’s Market and Trunk Sale will be open. This market has all kinds of vendors and if you haven’t signed up already and would like to be one, contact Deb Holland at 360-849-9401. The hours are from 3 to 6 p.m., each Friday.

CAR SHOW--On June 4 you can head to Skamokawa and enjoy the Third Annual "Cruizin' to the Fair" car show at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds. You have until May 27 to pre-register but you can register clear up to the day of the show, so bring your rig down and show it off! You can contact the fairgrounds at 360-795-3480. Don’t forget to bring your motorcycles, too. Plus, Brian McClain says he hopes you’ll enter your old rigs, like your old tractors and beater cars as I believe there’s a special award for those rigs. Don’t let Brian’s old tractor win again!

RECALLED--In case you haven’t heard, there’s been a recall on Jiff Peanut Butter. According to officials, any jars between the numbers of 1274425 and 2140425 could possibly be contaminated with salmonella and need to be thrown out. Those “recall numbers” are listed below the “best if used by” date on the side of the jars.

SYMPATHIES--I got word from Elaine Munson Rolf that her brother, Jimmy Tomblingson passed away on May 20 at the age of 57. He was born to Marjory Munson and James Tomblingson in 1964. We’d like to offer our sympathies not only to our friend and classmate, Elaine, but to all the rest of Jimmy’s family members as well.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE--This Sunday, May 29, the family of Quin Bassi Sr. will hold a Celebration of Life gathering on his behalf, so that all those that knew Quin could come together and share their memories of him. According to Jordyn Kaattari, they will meet at the park alongside/behind the Skamokawa Grange Hall at 1 p.m., and you should bring a chair and a dish to share. However, if the weather is not co-operative, they will move the gathering inside the Grange Hall. Again, our sympathies to the Bassi family.

CLASS OF 72 CLARIFICATION--The WHS Class of 1972 will hold their 50th class reunion on Aug. 20 at the covered area at the Elochoman Slough Marina. Beings this is a special reunion, they are asking that this time be set aside for classmates only this year. They will be back to holding open reunion gatherings next year. Please contact Darlene Almer with any questions or for more information: darlenea@aol.com

CLASSMATES TRAVEL--Speaking of classmates, three former WHS graduates, Pat Shanahan, Henry Pype and Pete Sechler, just returned from a few days of R&R in sunny California. The three have been friends “forever” and enjoy going to new places every once in awhile, so this time it was off to see various sites in CA, including going to Catalina island. They timed their trip perfectly, as it was pouring down rain here in Washington and they got to enjoy some gorgeous days down there, and then returned in time for the sun to shine upon all of us up here, so we appreciate them bringing it back with them!

MEMORIAL DAY--Our post office and other federal offices will be closed Monday, as well as our schools and other businesses like banks and courthouses. This federal holiday serves as a day of remembrance of those who died while serving in the U.S. military. While various dates of the first Memorial Day have been disputed, the original “Decoration Day,” as it had been called, was known to be held on May 30, 1868. This actual date of May 30 was the day chosen to honor the fallen and was recognized as such until 1971, when the National Holiday Act was put into place and thus made the Federal Holiday to fall on the last Monday in May, and ending the original May 30 date.

Considering this day observes those lost while serving our country, it’s really not a happy time, so while we may want to say “Happy Memorial Day,” it’s not exactly appropriate. Sadly, since moving the actual date to provide a three day weekend, this once somber Federal Holiday has since just taken on more of a time to enjoy a three day weekend with friends and family and holding barbecues and celebrating the beginning of summer. I ask that we never forget the real reason for this holiday and of those that sacrificed their lives for this country.