Grand opening of The "O" Saturday, 6 p.m.

A BIT WET--If you weren’t paying attention, you may have missed the forecast for a chance of a shower or two this past week and if you were in the midst of putting up hay, you weren’t too thrilled to see it actually show up on Friday morning! However, considering things were really drying up around here, and the ground around my place was turning hard as a rock, I was glad to see some of that wet stuff. I know my plants and lawn seemed to perk up as well. The forecast seems to be drying up again, so for all you sun lovers, it looks like it’s back to the sunscreen until the next batch of rain hits us, like maybe at the end of this week!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from June 15-21 are Karen Blain, Robert Montgomery, Lacey Vik, Shane Kehrli, Sarah Phillips, Mike Paulsen Jr., Delores Wages, Brienne Howell, Holly McKeen, Megan Vincent, Dean Snyder, Krista Fritzie, Jason Ledtke, Lore Twiet, Nikolai Almer, Tom Parker, Bailey Havens, Dawn Wika, Monica Budd, Tyson Clark, Bill Bardsley, Keith Hoofnagle, Jerry DeBriae, Grace Nortrup, Signe Sause, Bobby Helms, Lori Smith, Marcia Rich Hage, Rhonda Pedersen, Palmer Shank, Sarah Palmer and Katie Sechler.

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Steve and Debbie McClain, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Grasseth, Tucker and Madison Stanley, Mr. and Mrs. Justin Watkins, Chris and Lacey Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Souvenir, Phil and Elaine Rolf and Larri and Sally Palmer.

May all of your special days bring you happiness and joy with those you love.

THURSDAYS--Just a quick reminder that there is a Community Breakfast and also activities at the Skamokawa Grange on Thursdays from 10 to noon. They usually have food boxes to give away as well, so stop on by if you need one. Also, it would be greatly appreciated if you can help defray the cost of this weekly meal with a donation, so that this can continue to take place. You could also help by donating food items, like pancake mix and sugar-free syrup, country gravy mix, coffee and creamers, etc., and feel free to bring some rolls or muffins to share as well. You can either come down and talk to her yourself, or check the list of items that Season Long uses and needs by looking at her Facebook page.

GRAND OPENING!--This is exciting news for many locals, as this Saturday night, June 17, at 6 p.m., the doors to “The O” will be open once again! You may have known the place located at 8 Fairgrounds Road as “The Oasis Tavern” but many of us had always just called it “The O” so it’s new name is just that; very cool! If you’re new here, this is a bar, and not a cocktail lounge, so you’ll have a chance for a beer and some wine but no hard stuff. The opening will feature some music, which will be provided by Steveie Starlight beginning at 7 p.m. While there’s no food inside the bar, I understand that Maria’s Taco Truck will be just outside. I can only hope this is a nice evening and wish the new business good luck as once again, this historic landmark will be open for business!

FATHER'S DAY--In all the hubbub about Mother’s Day and graduation and all the other things going on around our area, I hope you haven’t forgotten that Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 18. Needless to say, those Dads need to be recognized for all that they have done for their families and we hope they will get treated to a very special day indeed! I’m sure there will be various dinner specials going on around town, so check those out and treat your Dad to something good to eat! Happy Fathers Day, guys!

PIGYS--Next weekend is the huge sale on Puget Island. This event, held on the last full weekend in June (Friday-Sunday) is always a huge success in thanks to organizer and map maker, Sandie York, so kudos to her for doing this.

While shopping, you’re asked to remember a few “do’s and don’ts” and one of them is please do not block any mailboxes, as the postal service will not deliver if the box is not accessible. Also, they ask that you do not show up too early either. It also makes it easier if buyers will have a bunch of small bills, as it doesn’t take many $20 bills for one dollar items to run a vendor out of petty cash. So keep that in mind when you’re searching for treasures next week; have fun!

Last but not least, if you have a sign marking your house as a place that’s on the map, please get it returned to Sandie when this is all over.

GET WELL WISHES--We mentioned that David Chamberlain was hurt in a car accident recently and we are happy that he is out of the hospital and back home. We wish him a full recovery and hopefully he can get back to work real soon.

We also heard from Vicki Jacobsen Gregory, that her sister, Cindy had been in a car accident and wound up in the hospital. According to Cindy’s daughter, Jennifer Conner, she had to have surgery on her back and on her arm/wrist, and a bit of a ‘reset” when it came to her wrist, so poor Cindy really got banged up. She could certainly use all the thoughts and prayers and positive vibes for a complete healing while she recovers from her injuries.

Here’s hoping former resident Mike Nollan heals quickly from his little mishap, as he took a tumble while out riding his mountain bike; ouch! I hope those scrapes and bruises heal up quickly.

MUSEUM IS OPEN--I hope you’ll take time to check out our county museum as there is a lot to see and learn if one really wants to dig into the files and check everything out. The museum is open weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. As with all volunteer groups, more docents are always needed and they could sure use a few more folks to take a day now and then. This is not a hard task and if things are slow, you could take these few hours and check out all the exhibits and pictures and the history of this county while you’re there; it’s fascinating! Donations are always welcome and always needed, so if you can’t make it down this way, you could always mail your donation to the Wah. Co. Historical Society, 65 River Street, Cathlamet, WA 98612.

Call Kari at 360-849-4353 if you have any questions.

There was a great article about the Wilbur Jacobson Orchestra on the front page of this paper last week, so I hope you got to read it, and come down to the museum and check it all out. As a side note, my Mom said she would play along with his band at a place called “Jacks” on Puget Island from time to time. She played the clarinet; fun stuff to find out!

BALD EAGLE DAYS--Speaking of volunteers, the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce is asking for volunteers still for the upcoming Bald Eagle Day festivities in mid-July, so if you’d like to help out your community and meet some other helpful folks, this would be a good time to do it. Contact the Chamber at 360-705-9996.

Remember, the festivities begin on Friday, July 14 with Art in the Park. Prior to the parade and such at noon on July 15, there will be another Terry Bonny run. The parade is at noon with booths along Cathlamet’s Main Street. In the evening you can go to the Norse Hall and play bingo before the music begins at the brewery. The big fireworks show that evening takes place at the Elochoman Slough Marina. A full day, so let’s hope for a nice dry one! It may be a month away but time seems to be flying by and it will be here before you know it.

SERVICES THIS SATURDAY--By now you will probably have heard that Rick Nelson's Celebration of Life service will be held at St. James Family Center June 17, which is this Saturday. The service will be held at 2 p.m., SJFC is located at 1134 Columbia Street. Again, we offer our sincerest condolences to Rick's family and for our whole town as well, as he has been a very integral part of it for years.

Want to keep his memory alive?

Subscribe to this paper, The Wahkiakum County Eagle, and if you already do, buy a gift subscription for somebody else and let’s keep this paper going. Full steam ahead in Rick's honor! RIP, Rick!