Skamokawa news

NICE START. As I begin this column, the sun is shining and it looks to be a pretty decent week, with temperatures climbing back up into the mid-eighties here. It may even get hotter in other nearby towns, so it looks like our summer is back after a batch of fall-like weather that brought heavy rains, thunder and lightning. It looks like I need to get myself in gear and get all those "nice weather" chores done while I have the chance....now for the ole body to cooperate. SCHOOL STARTED. As luck would have it, the great weather returned just as school resumed, which is pretty typical around here, ugh. However, with the school week shortened and a holiday coming up, it looks like there will be plenty of time for the families to get out there and enjoy some of the sunshine. Speaking of school, the hours of operation have changed. We will see school buses out and about, so please obey the stop signs and under no circumstances, try to pass. Wherever you are going in a hurry, itshould not be at the expense of a childs' life. Here's to no reports of anyone injured or killed while children are getting on and off the buses or crossing the crosswalks. Children also need to be taught to look both ways before dashing out into a crosswalk as it's there for them to use properly, not recklessly. Stay safe everybody! Here's hoping this first week of school goes smoothly and everyone has some great, positive first day experiences.

SPECIAL DAYS. Well, we'll be wrapping up August and beginning September birthdays already so here's the list I have for those celebrating between August 29 and September4: Nanea Carroll, Quin Bassi, Judy Danielson, Vance Mosteller, Jim Robinson, Ryan Kuhl, Debbie Melton, Joe Turgeon, Teri Hoven, Grayci Thomas, Travis Bain, Daniel T. Elfers, Steve Wright, Dusty DeNoyer, Joe Blair, Bella Hummel, Lucca Hummel, Donna Peterson Bernard and Bill Chamberlain. Those celebrating their anniversaries this coming week are: Kelly and Tyna Zink, Ryan and Erica Torppa, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Tischer, Steve and Ruth Doumit, Todd and Kristen Souvenir, Mr. and Mrs. Josh Cochran and Blake and Michaela Sechler.

CALENDARS. It won't be long and the Wahkiakum Lions Club will be calling around and asking folks if they'd like to order their birthday/anniversary calendars. If you're wanting to make any changes or additions, let them know.In my family, we'll be adding more names for sure, so I must get my list ready. These calendars make great Christmas gifts and help support our local Lions Club as they do many good things for our community. If you'd like to get on the list, Renee Robert is the one who usually calls me, so you can give her a shout out at 360-849-4003. If that doesn't work, you might try contacting our local Skamokawa gal, Carol McClain at 360-795-3337.

SAD NEWS. We were so shocked and saddened by the news of the sudden passing of WHS 2002 alumnus Adam Phelps last week. As you can imagine, his family is just devastated. Adam was known as a really great guy, and so when one of the good ones leave us at an early age, it's just really gut-wrenching. Our deepest condolences are being sent to the entire family. As of this writing, a date for his service has yet to be determined and a GoFundMe account has been set up on Facebook for his funeral expenses.

FRIDAY STREET MARKET. September is the last month in which you will be able to enjoy the Elochoman Marina Street Market which takes place in Cathlamet from 3:30 to 6:30 on Fridays. So, you have Sept. 6, 13, 20 and 27 to get down there and enjoy all those great plants, fruits and veggies, soaps, art and craft items. Some of the items offered would make great Christmas gifts. I do hope you'll get a chance to support some local folks and enjoy the marina view.

LODGE CELEBRATION. Come one, come all to the 90-year celebration of the founding of the Helgeland Lodge 2-30, which will be taking place at the Norse Hall on Puget Island next Saturday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. Star Hicks tells me that the program starts upstairs with the current Sons of Norway Lodge President, Jan Silvestri welcoming you and leading things off with the Pledge of Allegiance. There will be guest speakers talking about the history of the lodge and some entertainment. Be sure to head downstairs to enjoy a bite to eat which includes some dessert. I did learn from Star that a Mr. Groaten was the one who donated the land so that the hall could be built. Personally, I had never heard that name before, so I'll be learning plenty of new things about the historic building. Please join the members of our Sons of Norway Lodge located at 444 SR 409 on Puget Island next Saturday and together, we can learn some history of this group and the building.

KITES ARE COMING! If you're a lover of kites, you just might want to show up at Skamokawa Vista Park sometime between 10 a.m to 4 p.m. on September 7 and check out the annual Kite Festival. If you're new here, Vista Park is located on the west end of Skamokawa (just about Milepost 29 & ½) and is an absolute must-see. You can also enjoy the sandy beach and the magnificent river view that unfolds in front of your eyes; it's gorgeous. It can have some windy times with tide changes bringing the breeze that is much needed to get these big kites in the air.Let's hope these beauties are flying high. The park has a couple of playgrounds for the kids: three sets of bathrooms, two nice big covered areas, tennis and basketball courts and more. If you're looking for a "free" thing to do, well look no further than Skamokawa Visita Park.Now if you like camping, there are several options as well, so the cost depends on what you want. You can tent camp (roughing it) or you can plug in your trailer/camper/motorhome and have power. You can get full service, which gives you water or you can rent a yurt, which is a novel experience in the upper wooded level. There is also the Martin Cabin which used to be the office and it's a great, unique spot to stay with all the amenities. If you need more info, check them out online or on Facebook, or just give them a quick call at 360-795-8605.

FLEA MARKET AND T-BUILDING SALE. The following Saturday, September 14, you can head down here to find a treasure or two as the fairgrounds holds its monthly flea market. There are various vendors in the Youth Building or you can check out all the items for sale at great prices in the T-Building. This starts at 9 a.m. and usually lasts until 3 p.m.

TIME IS TICKING. Yes indeed, by the time you read this, there will be less than four months until Christmas. Isn't that just crazy? If you get paid once a month, that may mean only four more paydays. Yikes! This also means it's a big wake up call to all you husbands - yes, you! You still have plenty of time to figure out what your wife/significant other is going to be unwrapping on Christmas morning. Don't say you haven't been warned. Get that thinking cap on now. To all those that have friends and family with "everything," you might want to think about a donation to their favorite charity or maybe to one of our many organizations that could always use a little boost like Friends of Skamokawa, Skamokawa Grange, the Wahkiakum Historical Society/Museum, the Pioneer Church, WAAG for the animal lovers and the food banks could always use some food or extra cash, especially during the holidays, so whether you're giving a donation as a gift in someone else’s name, or just donating out of the goodness of your heart, just know it will all be appreciated a lot!

HOLIDAY. May all of you who will be out and about enjoying this three-day holiday, known as Labor Day weekend and have a super fun and safe weekend. Lots of folks will be out and about and we all need to pack some patience. Watch out for the other guy and have a good time. Take care everybody!

JOHNSON PARK NEWS. Johnson Park is having a Yard Sale on September 13, from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Set up for the Yard Sale is Friday morning September 13 from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. We are having it on a Friday to be combined on the same day as the Farmers Market. Farmers Market will be held in the cafeteria, no charge for the tables. The price for tables for the yard sale will be $10 a table, $5 additional tables. Johnson Park Yard Sale can be indoors in the hallways or outside on the parking lot depending on the weather. Bring your own tables for outside. We have a limited amount of tables so first come asking can use them. Vendors can sign up by calling and leaving a message on 360-465-2310 or stop by Johnson Park on Tuesday or Thursday to register. We are also having a craft day and will be making sand dollar crafts and a few other items. Please reserve your space. Craft day will be on Saturday, September 14, from 1 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. This is super fun for the kids! Call 360-355-0472. Also, we will be having a Paint & Sip painting class which will be held at Hunters Inn on September 21, from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Cost is $30. Please call to reserve a spot 360-355-0472.