Very busy weekend scheduled for county

BRR--We have certainly had some chilly temperatures in West Valley this past week and I can say with all certainty that I’m not at all fond of those mid-20 degree temps we were having, as that’s just too cold for me! Plus, what happened to our fall? It seems we went from hot and dry to frigid and miserable without any cooler but dry and pleasant days! However, the weather folks say it’s going to warm up this week but it doesn’t come with any dry weather, but plenty of rain instead, so we won’t be dealing with icy roads anymore but we will be having wet and possibly slick ones, so let’s hope everybody slows down and makes it through the holiday safely.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Nov. 23-30 are Danny Silverman, Matt Helm II, Kadi Allen, Kayli Quigley, Cheryl Parker, Tari Peterson, Sharon Deaton, Sandy Everman, James Jacobson, Rae Anne Wilson, Dana Montgomery, Bryce McCoy, Kelly Guest, Sarah Clark, Linda Ostervold, Butch Owen, Tricia Coleman, Jace Gibson, Jennifer Hoven, Mike Paulsen, Samantha Wright, Tammy Hill, Shane Souvenir, Trace Tarabochia, Dylan Cothren, Nancy Good Garcia, Cole Claussen, Obed Rodriquez, Robert Kyle, Drake Cook, Annie Pedersen, Hank Ferguson, Samantha Everest and Kevin Palmer.

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Tom and Rosalie Webb, Jeff and Shelly Hedges, Sherry and Mark McCormack, Pete and Deborah Ringen, Mr. and Mrs. Bud Cowan and Rick and Jenny Benfit. May you all have wonderful celebrations this coming week.

THIS FRIDAY/SATURDAY--This will be a busy weekend, as right after Thanksgiving is when many folks hold special events, like the Friends of Skamokawa, as their annual “Deck the Hall” open house starts Friday, Nov. 25 and runs through Dec. 11. Hours of operation are Friday and Saturday from 10 to 4 and Sunday, from Noon to 4, so they hope you’ll come to Redmen Hall and check out the crafts and gifts and their book store for some local gifts this year.

Also coming up is the Truant Co. “Open Shop” event this Saturday, Nov. 26 from 1-4 p.m. This event involves not only shopping for gifts but you can make a wreath or pot a plant, etc., but if you want to do a couple of those craft things, you should go online and pre-register. Truant HQ is located at 865 East Valley Road right here in Skamokawa. You can also check out 7 Springs Ranch and their Christmas trees and their special deals from 11 to 1.

The big “Tree Lighting Celebration” will happen in Cathlamet on Saturday and it includes all kinds of daylight events before the tree lighting as there is a Holiday Bazaar at the Rat Tap Event Center from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Cathlamet Woman's Club will hold a Christmas Cookie & Bake Sale at Tsuga Gallery from noon to 4 p.m., as well as downtown shopping from Noon until 8 p.m., and then Santa will arrive at 4:45 and the tree in front of the courthouse will light up at 5 p.m. After that lighting ceremony, you can take the kids to the lobby of the Hotel Cathlamet and snap some pics of your kids with Santa! It might be a bit wet, so go prepared for the worst and hope for the best!

SHOEBOXES OF JOY--The folks in charge of this event have bins set up around the area where you can drop off donations for or suggest folks you think would like to get one of these shoeboxes. The boxes are filled with all kinds of goodies and are sure to please those who would be getting one unexpectedly. Near those bins is a list of items that one can donate to put in them, and also items that one should not include. Of course, there are just a ton of options so I hope you’ll donate items or make up an entire box of things to donate at a later time and place. A bank account is set up at the Bank of the Pacific for cash donations so if you don’t want to go shopping, you can just donate some money and let someone else buy the items that may be needed to fill a shoebox. All items should be dropped off at either the bank, the Video Store, Patty Cakes or the Duck Inn by Dec. 19 so they can get these boxes put together in time for the big holiday giveaway, which will truly put a smile on somebody’s face!

FAIRGROUND EVENTS--While attending Turkey Bingo at the fairgrounds this past Saturday, I was reminded that the fairgrounds will hold a Christmas Bazaar on December 3 so they hope you come down and check them out. Anyone who would like to be a new vendor can call Patty at 360-795-3480 and leave a message. They have several silent auction items that you can bid on as well and the winner of those items will be announced at the Flea Market to be heldDec. 10 from 9 to 3. There are usually vendors at that time as well. Mark those dates down!

WAAG--If you missed the pet food drive this past weekend, but you’d like to donate something, you can call the Wahkiakum Animal Advocates Group (WAAG) at 360-504-6336 and they can pick up your donation. All pet food is appreciated so if you can spare a bag or two of dog or cat food/or both, that would be awesome; after all, our four legged friends need to eat too!

NORSE HALL KIDS PARTY--On Dec. 4, which is a Sunday, members of the Sons of Norway will host a Kids Christmas Party with lots of arts and crafts and goodies, so please bring your young kids over to the Norse Hall on Puget Island from 2 to 4 and get a treat or two! (The date on the chamber calendar says Dec. 3 but that is incorrect.) For you new folks, the Norse Hall is the great big white building on Puget Island located at 444 SR 409, and coming from Cathlamet, is just over the Birnie Slough Bridge to your right; you can’t miss it!

COMING RIGHT UP--For those of you reading this on Wednesday, Thanksgiving Day is definitely upon us, so I hope you have your plans all set and that you have a marvelous time. In case you don’t have a place to go, remember that the Skamokawa Grange Hall is will be open for a community potluck turkey dinner beginning at noon on Thursday, so head this way if you’re in the area. Also, the Spar in Cathlamet will serve turkey dinner too, so you can always check them out as well. Whatever you do, here’s to having a very Happy Thanksgiving holiday, everybody!