Farm 2 Fleece Fiber show this weekend

STILL SUNNY--As I begin this column, we’re still enjoying the sunshine although a few sprinkles did appear in a couple of spots over the weekend but as usual, not everyone got them. I was happy that the plants around my place are mostly “leaf feeders” and they got a little drink at least. One can tell Fall is in the air as the evening temps dropped considerably and the leaves are starting to crackle and drop, so it won’t be long and my “green” view will give way to an orange and brown view prior to the bare look, which isn’t nearly as nice as what I’ve been enjoying! At any rate, here’s hoping that you’re enjoying the sunshine and you’re able to keep yourself and all your critters, plenty hydrated during this extended dry spell. FYI: There is still a burn ban at this time!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Sept. 8-14 are Carla Keilwitz, Amanda Poler, R.J. Brown, Edward Johnson, Jamie Nielsen, Valerie Wallin, Tina Schubert, Brittanie Helms-Lampitt, Shayne Hoven, Jacob Hoven, Rex Gilbertsen, Richard Bigler, Renee Robert, Conner Parker, Ed Houston, JoAnn Reed, Samantha Pedersen and Naomi Pedersen.

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Quin and Christeena Bassi, Josh and Cristina Moonen, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Vik, Mr. and Mrs. Eric Bergseng and Scott and Jenny Pedersen.

REMINDER--If you’d like to get your names on the Lions Club Calendar for this coming year, or you need to correct an error on the existing calendar, now is the time to give those in charge of the calendar a call so that additions and corrections can be made. These calendars make great Christmas gifts as well, so be sure to order several for others besides a couple for yourself! Contact Renee Robert at 360-849-4003 or possibly Carol McClain at 360-795-3337.

CORRECTION/FOS AUCTION--If you’d like to donate something to the fund raising event being held online in October to help the Friends of Skamokawa raise money for the Redmen Hall/Central School, please contact them right away at 360-795-3007. As always, they are looking for items that are of good quality and something you believe that people would want to bid on for the Oct. 8-22 online auction event. I’ve been told that the online address that was in my column last week was incomplete, so I’m told the correct one is: http://www.32auctions.com/AuctionFOS2022 but to be sure, call the hall at the number above for verification. Here’s to some great folks donating some wonderful gifts and having sufficient funds raised for the upkeep of our historic Redmen Hall.

FIBER SHOW--I was told the Farm-2-Fleece Fiber show will take place from Sept. 9 – 11 at the local fairgrounds, but for confirmation, please contact Lori Cagle at: lrcagle@gmail com.

HOPE CENTER SPEAKER--On Sept. 17 at 2 p.m., the group called, “Wahkiakum Outdoors” will host speaker Dr. Eric Wagner, which will deal with the aftermath of the Mt. St. Helens eruption. He has written a book called “After the Blast: Mount St. Helens 40 Years Later” and he’ll take you through the years since that wild and crazy day and show you what all has taken place since that day. This is a free public event and they hope to see you at the Hope Center in Cathlamet at 320 South 3rd Street (formerly the church near the grade school). The group recommends wearing a mask but it is not required.

LINCOLN DAY FAMILY FUN EVENT--This year's GOP event is a bit different than the past, so if you’d like to meet those candidates and enjoy a “family event” rather than the usual grownup dinner, then buy your tickets today by going to http://www.wahkigop.org. This event will be held on Sept. 17 from 4 to 8 p.m., on Puget Island, at 360 East Little Island Road. They will serve pulled pork, chicken, several side dishes as well as dessert so you’ll be plenty full. The kids will enjoy the outdoor games and dunk tank and grownups will take part in the silent auction and raffles, so there’s something for everybody. Representatives and candidates who will be in attendance that day are Congressional candidate Joe Kent, Sen. Jeff Wilson, Rep. Joel McEntire and Rep. Jim Walsh. Tickets for those 18 and over are $20, and for kids 6 – 17, $10.

STILL TIME TO KAYAK--Our local kayaking center at 957 Steamboat Slough may still have some spots for a tour or two, but you’ll need to call ASAP to find out. The weather has been great and lots of folks have been taking advantage of these tours via the Columbia River Kayaking business located here in Skamokawa, so you can check it all out online or call 360-747-1044. With such wonderful weather and gorgeous scenery and a variety of wildlife, taking a tour on the water via a kayak would truly be a wonderful way to enjoy the area.

ARTISTS AT TSUGA--In case you haven’t heard, there are a variety of classes that will take place at the Tsuga Gallery in Cathlamet in the coming months. On Sept. 13, Debbi Littlefield will show how to draw with lights and shadows; and on Oct. 22 Laurel Check will demonstrate how to do gelatin plate printmaking, and on Nov. 15 they will have teacher, Genie Cary there to show you how to paint and sublimate, so a lot of various things to learn from all these folks. You’ll need to call 360-795-0725 for all the times and you’ll be able to find out when Ruth Doumit will hold her classes later on this Fall. You can check out their Facebook page for info as well.

BUSY TIME--Kyle Sechler and Suzy Ekstrom flew back to the Pacific Northwest from Georgia this past weekend, where they enjoyed several days in Seattle with their family members, the Pete Sechlers, as well as attending a wonderful wedding in Puyallup. Considering that just a year ago Kyle’s brother, Blake got married at the exact same place, it was easy to find the Farm 12 venue, and the family got to enjoy being able to meet during his brother's first anniversary. Surprisingly, a cousin of Kyle's flew in from Utah to attend a friend's Bachelor party during the same weekend, so grandma Felicitie Knight got to enjoy grandson, Kaiden while Austin and Nicole got to enjoy being out and about with old friends while they were in the area. In case you hadn’t guessed, Kyle and Austin are my grandsons and Kaiden is my one and only great grandson; a super cute two year old! Austin was also here at the perfect time when his brother Bryce officially got engaged to Lauren Nicks, so congratulations to them; it was a big weekend for them all!

CONGRATS--Way to go to our Mule football team for winning their game in overtime this past weekend; how thrilling! Here’s hoping their home game on Friday, Sept. 9, against Raymond/South Bend, winds up with a win just as well. The following Friday night Sept. 16 will see the Mules on the road when playing the PeEll/Willapa Valley team. Go, Mules!

The Lady Mules will play Ilwaco at home this Friday night, then host Naselle on Tuesday Sept. 12, so we wish them the best of luck this volleyball season.

CROWDED ROADWAYS--In case you forgot, this weekend is the “End of the World Rod Run” in Ocean Park, so if you’re headed west this weekend, we hope you’ll be prepared for some extra traffic and possible congestion in some spots. This event takes place on the Saturday and Sunday after Labor Day weekend, so this year it’s Sept. 10 and 11. If you happen to know somebody who lives along SR 4, you might just want to sit in their yard and watch all the neat cars go by and forget the crowd at the beach! With temps rising on Saturday and cooling off on Sunday, it looks like you’ll need extra sun screen and water on Saturday but maybe just a normal amount on Sunday; take care/have fun!