Many events planned for the coming weeks

STILL WINTER--Waking up to a dusting of snow last week and seeing temperatures still dipping below freezing with more cold and wet weather to come this week, has definitely reminded me that winter is still here! I’m sure we’re all looking forward to spring and warmer weather but considering I’ve seen it snow here in April I don’t think warmth is necessarily coming as it’s definitely not a guarantee around these parts!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from March 9-15 are Gretchen Mahitka, Mark Whitaker, Azery Gribskov, Gladys Mace, Kennedy Moonen, Karlie Helms-Lampitt, Teah McNally, Rhiannon McNally, Mary K. Cothren, Tracy Ostling Tomlinson, Cat Bighill Phillips, Gage Robinson, Mary Thomas, Milt Doumit, John Vik, Jason Nettles, Grace Helms-Lampitt, Carson Cothren, Adam Phelps, Brandy Britt, Karen Lawrence, Dwight Blackshear, Paul Ehrensberger, Kelly Zink, Amy Bernard and long time Puget Islander Ralph Kenner will turn 98 this week, so a special Happy Birthday to him!

Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Frank and Cynda Webb, Jake and Haeden Schillios, Ray and Terri Slape and Tracy Carroll and Serene Snow. May you all have a good time celebrating this week on your special days!

QUICK REMINDERS--The monthly Flea Market will be held at the Fairgrounds on March 11; a huge rummage at the Skamokawa Grange Hall on March 11 and 12 and from March 10-12, the Friends of Skamokawa will hold their annual Antique and Vintage Sale. Also, on March 11, the FOS will hold their annual membership meeting, followed by a pie social, before the 4 p.m. meeting with the author of “Deep River,” Karl Marlantes.

On Puget Island March 11, you can head to the Norse Hall and take part in their bingo games, which begin at 6 p.m .; lower level doors open at 5:30.

SAYING GOOD-BYE--On March 11 at 11:30 a.m., there will be a memorial service for Pat Ohrberg in the multipurpose room at Julius A. Wendt Elementary school in Cathlamet. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. James Family Center.

CLASS REUNION SCHEDULED--On July 15, the WHS Class of 1963 plans to hold its 60th reunion at the Sk. Resort's conference room located behind the Sk. General Store. They plan to meet from 5 p.m. until dusk according to Julie Emery McKagan. For more information contact Julie at 360-459-8810 or Gary Emery at 360-849-9067.

FAMILY FUN NIGHT--The WHS German Club has announced that this Saturday, March 11, they will host a Bingo, Movie and Video Games night out. If you’d like to help them with their trip to Germany, head to Wahkiakum High School from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission to this triple fun night is $10.

Don’t forget, they will also host a large rummage sale on March 18 and 19 to raise money for their trip to Germany.

ANOTHER FUNDRAISER--On March 25, there will be a Game Show Night fundraiser for the Smoke on the Water Fest, which will feature live bands at the fairgrounds over Labor Day weekend. This will take place at the Duck Inn, with dinner at 5 p.m., and games starting at 6 p.m. There will be door prizes, raffles and more, which costs $25 per person. This sounds like a fun time, so get your tickets at the Duck Inn, which is open 11 a.m. until closing Wednesday through Sunday. For more particulars, call 360-795-6055.

ST. PAT’S--March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day so be sure to check out all your local restaurants and bars for their specials, as they are bound to have some. Don’t forget to wear a bit o’ green as you don’t want to get pinched!

HUGE EVENTS--With time flying by, if you are interested in taking part in one of the bigger events around our area, it’s time to start making plans and putting your names out there to those holding them. The Elochoman Slough Marina Flea Market at the end of May will be looking for vendors, and the Chamber of Commerce will need lots of vendors for their big Bald Eagles Day event in mid-July. The Wahkiakum County Fair in August will need a lot of them too, capped off with many vendors being needed for the the Smoke on the Water Music Fest which will be a Labor Day weekend event at the fairgrounds, so here’s hoping you’ll plan on taking part and making these local events huge successes.

OUT OF THE PAST--This week back in 1948, began with a beautiful day and only until the latter part of the coming week did they see any rain, so the nice days were very welcomed. A large crew of telephone men came in as the State Hwy. crew was going to remove a huge maple tree that was in danger of coming down, so the telephone crews took down their lines prior to the state work so as to avoid damage to them. Service to that area was halted for awhile but once the tree was safely down, they got the lines up and running again in no time.

Elsie Everest headed to Seattle to see her sister Jean Shane who had been ill for some time but she was doing much better. Her niece, Pat, was also feeling bum after taking a fall while skiing, so having some help around the house for awhile really helped them out.

On March 11, Krist Pedersen spoke over KOMO concerning the state of commercial fishing. The following day he met with businessmen from the Seattle area.

On one of those nice days later on in the week, Grandma Elsie walked up to daughter Marian's house and then on the way back, stopped at Mrs. Healy's house and then the Dean Snyders’ as well. Beings it rained the following day, her “walking” visits were well timed. The Everests didn’t own a car, so a lot of walking was done and trips to town were via the bus.

The nation's “ice box,” according to some weather forecasters, was Bemidji, Minn., where this week it was seeing temperatures of 32 below zero! This cold spot is where Ralph and Elsie Everest had once lived and moved away from years earlier, and they were pretty pleased to be here in the PNW right about now. All this according to my Grandma Elsie Everest's diary.