Skamokawa News

COOLED OFF. As this week begins, we got a nice cool down from those brutally hot days last week and that was fine by me! These cloudier days made for easier yard work weather and kept the AC from having to run non-stop! Plus, the biggest thing is that with the Huckleberry Ridge fire raging just outside of our county's north border, these cooler temperatures are sure to help those fighting fires a lot and I'm hoping the rain scheduled for Wednesday will make things even better. Kudos to all those fighting this fire and to our own local group that has gone up there as well. We appreciate you more than words can express. It goes without saying that we need to be extremely careful when it comes to fires and as of this writing the burn ban is still on, so please do not take any chances when it comes to fire as discarded cigarettes or sparks from equipment could be devastating.

SPECIAL DAYS. Those celebrating birthdays this coming week from Sept. 12. Thru 18 are: Rex Gilbertsen, Renee Robert, Aiden Fletcher, Frank Bosch, Conner Parker, Jacob Hoven, Richard Bigler, Sarah Phelps, Lori Bergseng, Penny Paulsen, Jim Spitzer, Gerry Brennan, Wade Cothren, Dick Snyder, Mandy Giesler, Gracy Brown, Korina Hoven, Paige Nielson, Emi Marsyla, Zack Bonds, Rudy Lopez, Emmaline Vik, Terry Mathers, Roger Reed, Cindy Riley Baldwin, Susan Shook, Samantha Pedersen, Adam Pedersen, Naomi Pedersen and Suzy Ekstrom-Sechler. Those celebrating anniversaries this week are: Quin and Christeena Bassi, Josh and Christine Moonen, Mr. and Mrs. Eric Bergseng, Scott and Lori Kensinger, Joel and Aimee Barth, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Vik, Mr. and Mrs. John Vik, John Jr. and Teri Hoven, Mr. and Mrs. David Noonan, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Swofford, Gwen and Arve Ronninghaug and Adam and Samantha Pedersen. May all of your birthdays and anniversaries turn out just wonderful!

TODAY-THURSDAY. If you get this paper on Thursday morning, I do hope you'll come on down to the Skamokawa Grange Hall and take part in their Community Breakfast from 10:00 a.m. to noon. This same group puts on the Shoeboxes of Joy event that will be taking place in a very short time, so you can always come down to chat about that and start buying those little items that are needed to fill those shoeboxes that we hope you've been saving so you can get them wrapped up and ready to give away. Fun!

FRIDAY. The Elochoman Slough Street Market will be happening once again this Friday 3:30- 6:30 p.m. but don't be afraid of it being Friday the thirteenth, as they are not going to be scaring you away from getting some good deals as this event winds down. Yes indeed, there are just two more markets after this one, so don't miss out on all those goodies down at the marina in Cathlamet.

SATURDAY FLEA MARKET. Well, the second Saturday of the month, Sept. 14, means that the Wahkiakum Fairgrounds will be the place to be to get some good deals beginning at 9 a.m. so check out the Youth Building for the flea market part and then head to the T-building for the big “everything else is on sale” there's plenty to look at and lots of great bargains!

PIONEER CENTER. Beginning at 4:00 p.m. there will be more singing entertainment for you to enjoy as "Leah and Mel" will be featuring songs by Carole King, Burt Bacharach and the Carpenters, so that should be a good one. There is also an Open Mic session where locals can perform as well. This is a free concert although your donations are greatly appreciated.

BINGO TIME. The Norse Hall will be the place to be this Saturday evening as once again, the Sons of Norway Lodge members who operate the monthly games will be there to greet you and open the doors at 5:30 p.m. with games to begin at 6:00 p.m. Enjoy some rousing games of bingo, with those tempting cash prizes.

WAAG CELEBRATION. Don't forget to head up to Erickson Park on Sunday, September 15 for their fifth birthday celebration from noon-4:00 p.m. They are having a silent auction with lots of great items, BBQ, and even a pie eating contest for dogs! It sounds like they will be having some games for kids and adults as well as their pets and a photographer too.

SAD NEWS. We were so sad to hear from Mike Phelps Curry, father of Adam Phelps, that he had passed away suddenly from a heart issue that was just heart breaking news. It's been tough for the family to deal with this sudden loss but this past week some of the family and Adams' friends gathered to go the Rod Run on the coast, as it was one of those things Adam was planning on doing. Mike and the family is hosting a catered “Celebration of Life” at the Bridge Church on Puget Island (old PI Grange) along SR 409 on September 28 at 12:00 p.m. All of you who knew Adam and his family are invited to attend. Again, we send our sincerest condolences to Adams' family members and especially his Dad, Mike and his Mom, Becky Lloyd. Hugs!

GOOD TURN OUT. Well, this past Saturday was a real busy one, as there were kites flying in Skamokawa Vista Park, karaoke at "The O" and both of those events had the Duck Inn food truck there for your dining pleasure, and then in Cathlamet there was music at the Pioneer Center and to top it off, there was the ninetieth anniversary celebration of the Norse Hall, Helgeland 2-30 lodge, so it was a very busy Saturday indeed. I joined a nice sized crowd in the upper level at the Norse Hall and enjoyed the entertainment, which included the local ukelele group, the Cathlamet Troubadours. Then there was our local saxophone player/singer gal, Gwen Gorley along with Glenn Weist and Koby McDaniel to round out the musical entertainment. After that, the Robo-Rascals 4-H group explained what their group has been doing and all about their field trips and what they learned along the way. Did you know that they made over $300 selling ornaments they made this past Christmas? Nice! What a great group of kids and great leaders too, as these kids are really learning a lot and in a fun way. After all the entertainment, everyone headed downstairs to take part in the food and desserts, which were plentiful and oh so good. It was great to yak with everyone and we all agreed that the newly redone floors were absolutely gorgeous and the new lighting fixtures and the entire room was looking nice. The museum with wall hangings, Norwegian history, and photographs looked great. Thank you to those who worked so hard at keeping the Norse Hall up and running to celebrate the 90 year anniversary.

60 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. Please join us for an anniversary celebration honoring Terry and Carol Kriesel at Stella Lutheran Church, 124 Sherman Road, Longview, on Saturday, September 14, noon-3 p.m. A light luncheon and cake will be served. Please RSVP to Sara and Christa at (503) 330-6238, cjkr@me.com. No presents please, just your presence.