Skamokawa News

COOL START. Well, as I begin this column we are sitting in a thick layer of fog with some nippy, lower forties temperatures and so it certainly feels like fall. The sunshine that came along with this cool start was nice and the once damp forecast is now showing a whole lot of days in the upper 60s and 70s, so that’s going to be great, if that holds true. I know we all have a lot of things that need to be done prior to the onset of winter, so here’s to getting that all accomplished.

DEVASTATING. While we are enjoying milder weather here, we cannot help but feel absolutely devastated by the massive amount of destruction and devastation that happened this past weekend back in the southeast area of our country, as hurricane Helene just pounded some areas and wiped other small towns virtually off the map. Just horrible! If you had any family members back there that were adversely affected by this storm, I am so sorry. It seems that many folks in North Carolina were taken by surprise as most storms don’t hit them like this one did and they really got decimated. As millions are without power and the death toll rises, we can only hope and pray that conditions improve for them sooner rahter than later. We were happy to hear that classmate Sharon McKie in Florida was just fine, as were my cousins there and my oldest grandson and his wife in Atlanta. Whew! I hope to hear from others soon and if your loved ones are back there I do hope you hear from them soon and that they are all okay.

SPECIAL DAYS. Well, here we go into another month. Where did the days go? Those celebrating birthdays from Oct. 3 to Oct. 9 are: Deb Gribskov, Collin Montgomery, Kylee Montgomery, Matt Helms, Mary B. Cothren, Richard Robinson, Patti Bergseng, Allen LaBerge, Lisa Nortrup, Ryan Nortrup, Carrie Nortrup, Natalynn Hoven, Edward Watters, Erica Biem, Haven Jackson, Reno Smith, Alan Munson, Cheryl Nelson, Sandra Gibson, Kari Martin, Ron Britt, Mike Hartley, Cindy Turner, Lisa Frink, Trevin Bennett, Jessie Havens, Zoe Doiron, Armando Andreas-Donias, Jesse Ellison, Kelley Pedersen Campbell and Tessa J. Sechler. Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are: Erik and Marissa Schillios, Scott and Kelly McClain, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schubert, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry DeBriae Jr., Bryce and Kelly A. McClain, Max and Ashli Scudder, Austin and Nicole Good celebrate their first wedding anniversary this Sunday and Adam and Samantha Pedersen, who celebrating their West Coast wedding on Oct. 8. Here’s to everyone having a wonderful time celebrating their special days and making more memories.

COVERED BRIDGE DINNER. If you’ve got tickets to the Covered Bridge Dinner in Grays River, don’t forget that this coming Saturday, Oct. 5 is the big day. Tickets for this event sold out early. It’s possible some forgot about it, but let’s hope not. It looks to be a decent weather day, and should be a great evening. Have fun everybody!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS. There are two fun things to do on Oct. 12 and one of those is coming down here to the monthly Flea Market and T-Building Sale. You can find just about everything a person needs to set up your house or kitchen for a really great price, especially if you’re just starting out or you’ve just moved here with very little and need to replenish the items that you may have had to leave behind. You can head this way to Skamokawa and they’ll see you at the Wah. Co. Fairgrounds. Later that evening, it’s BINGO time over at the Norse Hall on Puget Island, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and the games beginning at 6:00 p.m. For those of you who are new, this building is located at 444 SR 409. It is a big white building between the fire hall and Bernie Slough bridge. The bingo game takes place on the lower level of the building with the entrance being on the left side of the building. There’s no stairs going into that level so it’s easily accessible to all. The proceeds from the bingo games goes towards continued maintenance and upgrades on the hall. The hall just celebrated its 90th birthday. If you’d like to make a donation to the hall, you can send it to, SON - Helgeland Lodge 2-30, P.O. Box 381, Cathlamet, WA, 98612. Thanks!

PIONEER CENTER. Speaking of the Norse Hall, there was a great fundraising event held for the historic Cathlamet Pioneer Center, which was formerly a church, located in Cathlamet. It’s the big white building off Main Street with the towering steeple which you just can’t miss. This building has had a major make over and lots of hard work has taken place to bring it back to its current condition. With more work needed and more plans in the works, the current members of the Pioneer Community Association (PCA) are needing a bit of help, hence the silent auction fund raiser at the Norse Hall. If you weren’t able to attend but would like to help them out, you can always send a donation to the PCA at P.O. Box 24, Cathlamet, WA, 98612. Better yet, become a member and join the others in keeping this project going. In case you didn’t know, this is the only building in Cathlamet that is recognized by the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, so keeping this building in good shape for our community is really important. The PCA has several levels of membership options. You can become a “Pioneer” for a donation of $25, or a “Settler” for a $45 donation. For $100, you can be a “Trader.” Helping with the restoration of this building helps to keep the center going along with its arts and music programs, which are truly invaluable. We had a fund-raising event in one historic building on Puget Island, called the Norse Hall, that was being held for another historic building, the Pioneer Center, in Cathlamet and both have rich histories and truly deserve our support. Please help!

MUSEUM. Speaking of history, our WCHS Museum may be located in Cathlamet but it is certainly not just about Cathlamet, as it is a “county” museum operated by the Wahkiakum County Historical Society and therefore covers all the towns in our county. There is a ton of information located in the museum, which is located at 65 River St. and you’re more than welcome to come and check it all out on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. through the end of October. This group is also looking for members or benefactors so you can mail a donation to 65 River Street, Cathlamet, WA, 98612 and know it’s going to a very good cause. Without this wonderful collection of items, pictures, displays, and information, our past history would not be known to others and could be totally forgotten. This would really and truly be a terrible loss to our entire county. Please support it!

SKAMOKAWA SHINES. When it comes to old and historic buildings, well, all you have to do is take a look at the larger than life “1894 Central School House” also known as Redmen Hall which houses the River Life Interpretive Center right there in the middle of Skamokawa, MP 29! Then take a look across the street to the old Skamokawa Store, and then we have the Oasis Tavern and the Skamokawa Grange Hall and the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds all gathered around in close proximity. Our county fair just held their 116th fair, so yep, our area is “old”! Now the current “Viewpoint Landing” (formerly known as the Inn at Skamokawa Landing) located at 957 Steamboat Slough Road, is definitely a historic spot. It was bought and remodeled years ago by Arnold and Ellen Andersen and looks so terrific. Many may not realize that this building was actually built way back in 1911. It is also extremely rare as it is just one of the very few remaining former “steamboat landings” on the Columbia River, and is registered with the National Registry of Historical Buildings. One can only imagine all the steamboat activity that once took place in this now quiet little hamlet as it used to be a bustling town with its own bank, creamery, mill, and storefront waterways. If you’d like to give out some special Christmas gifts to help support some groups and organizations around here, like the Friends of Skamokawa, as they continue to preserve the old Central School/Redmen Hall building, you could send a donation to FOS, P.O. Box 67, Skamokawa. Also, come up to the hall and check out their books and gifts, and save a few coins to spend up at their usual holiday event. If you’d like to help out members of the Skamokawa Grange #425 in their effort to keep this historic building up and running, mail a check to them at P.O. Box 123, Skamokawa. {You can help the WC Fair out with a donation sent to P.O. Box 1, Skamokawa, or our very important Skamokawa Fire Dept. at P.O. Box 145, Skamokawa, all with the 98647 zip code of course. As we all know, if everyone gives a little, everyone winds up getting a lot.}

CONDOLENCES. We want to send our condolences to the entire family of Maurice “Maury” Mooers, who passed away last week. He had recently been living at Highlander Place in Kelso and really liked it there. His passing came rather quickly and peacefully, so while we hate to lose our loved ones, the family took comfort in the fact that he was not in misery for a long, extended time. We have known Maury for years.He was a frequent customer at the Duck Inn for morning coffee meetings, and I think Maury was an original member of that coffee gang but sadly most of that first bunch are now gone. He was also a teacher in our area for some time and he also had a large lawn mowing service for many years, so you may have known him in some capacity or another over the years. There were often calls to our house regarding water issues or maybe a part was needed for something or other and Maury knew Bill had a lot of “stuff” so he was a good one to call first before heading to town to get it. Those were the days. May he now rest in peace. In regards to a service, I talked to a family member and there was nothing set just yet. Again, our sympathies to the Mooers family.