Only 10 days left until Christmas

BRACED FOR COLD?--According to the current forecast on my weather app, it appears we’re in for quite a cold stretch and even a chance of snow on Sunday, so I hope you’re ready for possible snowy or icy conditions in the coming days! Then again, these forecasts can be misleading or completely fall apart and also, vary greatly from one area to the next, so just be aware that while you may escape some of the nasty weather where you are, others nearby may get hit with all the nastiness. Basically, we’re back to the “just be prepared for anything and everything” advice as you travel the highways and bi-ways in the coming days.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Dec. 15-21 are Breanna Smith, Fritz Carmine, Abby Buennagel, Kristen Souvenir, Jim Webb, Tyson (Webb) Foster, Kelly Masters, Riley Brown, Donna Olsen, Angel Brown, Isla Nortrup, Gwen Gorley, Stephanie Vossen, Alysha Gibson, Hillary Price, Lynah Bergseng, Ruth Saari Linquist, Jimmie Lou Cleveland, Barbara Moore Johnson, McKenzie Wilder, Sherry Stewart, Emma Pedersen and 67’ers Don Seaberg, Sharon Stout Kowalski and Elaine Munson Rolf. May you all have terrific birthday celebrations this week. Belated birthday wishes go out to Claire Meyers who celebrated her special day earlier this week. Happy Anniversary wishes this week go out to Roger and Jo Reed. Hope you have a wonderful day.

HUGE CONGRATS--The big winner in Las Vegas this week, in the Junior World Finals - Senior Barrels, Short Round Winner, was Tru Blue Most of Cathlamet! Way to go, Tru! Naturally, all her family is just thrilled and many of them were in Vegas to watch her ride and cheer her on, so that was extra special for her. Congratulations for a job well done; and give that horse a hug too!

THURSDAY BREAKFAST/SHOEBOXES--You are invited to the free community breakfast this Thursday (Dec.15) at the Skamokawa Grange Hall and enjoy some great company and also a bite to eat, from 10 a.m. to noon. You can also bring a treat to share with others.

Next week, on Thursday Dec. 22, there will also be a breakfast but it will include finishing the wrapping and filling of the shoeboxes for the “Shoeboxes of Joy” giveaway, so if you can come and help, that would be awesome. If you can’t stay, but have boxes or items to donate, you can bring them to the Grange Hall at that time, but the earlier the better. You can also drop items off at the Bank of the Pacific, Patty Cakes, the Video Store and the Duck Inn. For more info: 360-795-5208.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY--You’ll get to check out the Christmas tree lights at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds on Friday and Saturday nights, Dec. 16 and 17, so let’s hope the weather stays clear and dry for that.

WAAG NEEDS--We have a great group of folks who donate their time and energy to taking care of animals around here and helping others take care of theirs as well. However, they could use a little help, so if you have any straw to make beds for those outdoor cats or if you have other items that could be used to build outdoor shelters or would like to donate, please call the Wahkiakum Animal Advocates Group at 360-504-6336.

SUNDAY SERVICES--This is a reminder that the Celebration of Life services for Darcy Tischer, daughter of Lee and Diane, will be held this Sunday at the Duck Inn at 1 p.m. Again, we are so very sorry for their loss.

OTHER LOSSES--We also want to send our sincere condolences to the families of Mike Phelan, Richard Hoven, Tony Carriker and George Malakowsky as they also lost their loved ones recently and I know how tough that can be. May they rest in peace.

NEW FUND RAISER/CRAB--There will be an extra opportunity to enjoy a crab and oyster dinner it seems, as besides our usual two crab feeds, the one at Rosburg Hall on Jan. 28 and the Chamber of Commerce one on Puget Island the following month, the fair board has opted to hold a crab feed as well. So, on January 21, they will host a $20 crab and oyster feed. If you’d like to pre-order tickets, contact the fair via email using the following address: wahkiakumfair@gmail.com or call the fair phone and leave a message: 360-795-3480.

GREAT JOB--Did you check out the “Shop with a Cop” event that was held this past week? In case you didn’t know, there were 28 kids who got to go shopping, not just for themselves, but for their family members as well, so that’s awesome. They also had pictures taken and got some treats and had a wonderful day thanks to some fantastic people who donated so generously and our terrific Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office crew who put it together and made it happen; great job, everybody!

COUNTING DOWN--There are only 10 more days until Christmas so I hope you were able to take advantage of all our local sale events earlier on and get a lot of your shopping done already, but if you still need a gift or two, don’t forget to check out the Skamokawa Store or the Duck Inn or all the great spots in Cathlamet which offer many handmade items. I know I shopped at them all and have officially finished my shopping! I even managed to get most of them mailed, along with about 100 Christmas cards to those far away so I think I’m just about ready to kick back now and enjoy this special holiday season. In just 16 days, we’ll be saying good-bye to 2022 and hello to 2023. Let’s hope it’s a good one!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK--“Little progress can be made by merely attempting to repress what is evil; our great hope lies in developing what is good.” Calvin Coolidge.