Skamokawa News

MIXED BAG. It's been a bit of this and that for weather, one day it was hot and toasty and the next we got cooler. We saw some light rain Saturday evening and Sunday morning, the hay makers weren't too thrilled. We're going to start this work week out dry with a drippy couple of days mid-week. Dry, not overly hot, which is fine by me but not so great for those that need heat to make decent hay. One thing that kills a good hay crop is moisture, and in Skamokawa we always seem to get more than our fair share of that! Here's hoping things dry out for those folks.

ENDING AND BEGINNING. I can't believe I'm saying this again already: we're at the end of another month. The school kids are now enjoying being out of school and the high school graduates are off to bigger and better things. We've wrapped up Flag Day, Father's Day, Juneteenth, and celebrated the first day of Summer. Up next: The Fourth of July! The holiday is next Thursday and is a “no mail day,” so in case you don’t see this paper before then I’ll say “Happy Fourth of July” now. May it be a safe one for one and all, please try to be considerate of your neighbors and not keep them up all night. Pet owners are urged to keep their pets inside and confined so they don't run off and get lost.

SPECIAL DAYS. Those celebrating birthdays from June 27 thru July 3 are: Don Speranza, Cliff Garrison, Matt Helms III, Austin Luthi, Kathi West, Kris Bergseng, Andrew Nortrup, Rick Watkins, Heidi Boehler, Chris Wika, Tanya Cleveland, Sandie York, Jaxton Nicolazzi, Elias Cochran & Dale Jacobson. I'll say Happy birthday on the Fourth of July to Nathan Chamberlain and George Exum. Happy anniversary wishes go out to: Mr. and Mrs. Bob Montgomery, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Hendrickson, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Johnson, Steve and Lorie Smith, Hap and Dixie Anderson, and Pete and Katie Sechler. May you have fantastic celebrations this coming week!

MONTH AWAY. Just a quick reminder to the families of my Pedersen/Everest gang as you are invited to gather at the Norse Hall on July 27 for a combination family reunion and 75th birthday for yours truly, Kay Pedersen Chamberlain. We will get together starting at noon, with lunch provided at 1:00 PM and then we can gab until around 5. I do hope you get in touch with me if you're attending, if you haven't already done so. Spread the word!

COMMUNITY BREAKFAST. If you're new to the area and want to meet some new folks, then come on down to the Skamokawa Grange Hall, located at 18 Fairgrounds Road, on Thursdays from 10 until Noon. Come on down and get acquainted, enjoy a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. Feel free to bring something to share if you'd like. Donations are deeply appreciated, but not required to join, to help keep this weekly gathering going . There is also a food pantry if you need something or you can donate. Bring your own mug and make yourself at home!

NEW EXHIBIT AT REDMEN HALL. Starting Saturday June 29, the Friends of Skamokawa will be presenting a new exhibit at 1:00 p.m. and they hope to see you for the opening reception of the Skamokawa Creamery Exhibit 1898-1942. Go check out the great selection of books, many by local authors like Robert Pyle and his book Where Bigfoot Walks at The River Life Interpretive Center/Redmen Hall/Central School building, which is open weekends from Noon to 4:00 p.m.. Pick up those new hats or t-shirts that are there along with many other items made by local folks, like glassware by Ruth Doumit. You can check out their website or Facebook page, or just give them a call at 360-795-3007 for more info.

LOCAL MUSICIAN PERFORMS. Also on Saturday evening, from 5 to 8 PM, you can head to the Rosburg Hall as the Finnish American Folk Festival presents their 2024 Summer Concert Series, and local Greg Parke will be entertaining you down there at the hall. This runs in conjunction with the salmon or meatball dinner they will be serving that evening, for thirty dollars. Beer and wine are also available for sale. They'd sure like to have you register ahead of time at: nasellefinnfest.com/juhannus2024

SENIORS MEET WEDNESDAYS. Nancy Nelson wants to remind all of you seniors in the community to head over to Puget Island on Wednesdays, anytime from noon to 3:00 p.m. and join them in the lower level of the Our Saviors Lutheran Church located on SR 409 (big white church) and get acquainted. This group has many diverse sub groups, you can just sit and chat over a cup of coffee, make cards, do puzzles, play cards, outdoor things, etc. If you'd like to stop by, you're more than welcome to join them. Please park in the back and use the rear entrance.

STREET MARKET. Every Friday there is a Street Market with a variety of vendors selling anything from soaps, plants, puzzles, jewelry, and of course, goodies! I am anxious to see the man who sharpens knives and other items, his prices sound quite reasonable. If your favorite kitchen knife is getting dull, then bring it with you and get it back to new in time for all that food you’ll be chopping and cutting over the summer. Hours are from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Elochoman Slough Marina in Cathlamet.

FUN RUN & WALK. Don't forget to get signed up to take part in the third annual Terry Bonny Fun Run and Walk on Bald Eagle Day morning, July 20 with a start up time of 7:00 p.m. Participants will check in from 6:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. down at the marina. If you hurry, you can get five dollars off the cost, $25 for adults and $15 for those 12 and under. After July first, the prices will be $30 for adults and $20 for 12 and under. All proceeds go to Wahkiakum Track and Field, where Tina Merz is in charge. If you'd like to set this all up and get a t-shirt, etc. then you can contact her at Venmo@Tina-Merz. You can buy a t-shirt without running the race if you'd like to support this cause in memory of Terry Bonny.

RODAHL MEMORIAL SCRAMBLE. If you like to play golf, then this event is for you because on July 21st he Skyline Golf Course will be holding this event once again, games beginning at 9 AM. This is an eighteen hole, four person scramble and you make up your own teams. The cost is $45 for members and $55 for non-members. The entry fee includes a pulled pork meal. You can sign up until July 19 by coming into the clubhouse or calling 360-849-9320. There will be a limit of eleven teams, so get those teams together and get signed up as soon as you can. If you knew Ralph, you know he loved golf and if you're old like me, you know that Ralph gave out those great big swirl suckers at Halloween.Yum!

HUNTER EDUCATION CLASSES. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is offering classes so you can learn about firearm safety and handling, hunter ethics, conservation, and gun laws. This would be a great time to take these classes as they're located right over at the Norse Hall on Puget Island. According to the WDFW, all hunters born after January 1, 1972 MUST complete a hunter education program before they can purchase a hunting license. You can register online at: wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/requirements/education. The dates for the classes will take place on Saturdays August 3rd and August 10th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

PERFORMED. Former resident and Wahkiakum High School graduate Laurie Miller recently performed at the Mustard Seed Theater Company and played the role of the Empress in the musical Anastasia. She looked amazing in her performance online and some of our locals, Mary Thomas, Dylan Ravander, Libby Ravander, and Michelle Thomas Fladebo, and several others went up and saw her performance in-person. It’s always nice to have some support in the audience. If you often go to the Washington State Fair in Puyallup, you can hear Laurie singing the National Anthem prior to big acts like Chicago or the Beach Boys. She has a wonderful voice and we're so happy she gets to show it off to some really big crowds!

ENGAGEMENT PARTY. This past Saturday afternoon, Miss Tessa Jane Sechler and Bobby Graham were the guests of honor at a wonderful engagement party held at her parents’ home in Seattle. As per usual, the Sechler/Nollan team (Pete and Katie) outdid themselves with about three dozen guests showing up to wish the happy couple the very best. Everyone played games and enjoyed tables full of delicious food. The dessert table was covered in decadent treats, all made by Katie, who has a real talent when it comes to baking. The young couple are planning to get married in March and will spend a long honeymoon in Europe. Tessa just so happens to be my one and only grand-daughter, so I'm over the moon happy for her! Happy Engagement Tessa and Bobby!