Skamokawa News

OFF AND ON. As this week begins, we had some showers and some sunshine after some foggy conditions this Sunday morning. While it’s not perfect, it’s better than the constant pounding rain that we have experienced recently. There is some dryness in the forecast for this week before the rain comes back on Sunday and I hope that holds true as I’m certain the ground around us is soaked already! Of course, with hurricanes and tornadoes blasting away in some of the other states, I suppose I should not complain at all. Our hearts go out to all of those impacted by the severe weather elsewhere.

SPECIAL DAYS. Those celebrating birthdays this coming week from Nov. 7 thru 13 are: Nicole McKinley, Charlie McClain, Jordyn Kaattari, Tiffany Tischer, Jonnie Knowles, Lynda Jensen, Jeff Hedges, Jasmine Brown, Lindsey Anderson, Bobbie Clark, Carson Wilson, Bowen Everman, Anthony Mitchell, Lisa Hughs, Greg Parke, Mike Parker, Adrian Kuhl, Dustin Johnson, Chris Bernard, James D. Pedersen, Hailey Brown and Julianne Bell. My sincerest apologies to Bev England, I somehow left off her name last week and she celebrated her 80th birthday this past Sunday, Nov. 3. Sorry Bev! I also jumped ahead just a little bit too far last week and included a couple that should have not been mentioned quite yet. Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Lucas and Austyn Getman and Mark and Terri Slape. May all your birthday and anniversary celebrations be wonderful this week.

VETERANS DAY. This coming Monday, November 11, is Veterans Day, which commemorates the service of all U.S. military veterans. If you have a veteran in your family or know of someone in town that has served, we hope that you take the time to show your appreciation for their service. Don’t forget this is a federal holiday and there will be no mail being picked up or delivered that day, so mail your letters and bills accordingly. Thank you for your service, Veterans!

RETIRED. Speaking of veterans, I have to say “Congratulations” to my great nephew, Adam Pedersen on his recent retirement from the U.S. Air Force after twenty years, awesome! He was happy to show off his DD214 along with being back home in Texas in his own backyard, with a nice fire blazing, saluting it with a touch of bourbon. He is a civilian at last and enjoying being back home alongside his wife, Samantha, and two daughters. After some long and wild years, it’s pretty doggone nice to be home to stay. Adam is the son of a former Cathlamet resident and a WA-KI-HI alumni, Mark Pedersen and he’s quite the proud Dad.

BIG REWARD. I have to say that this grandma was very proud of grandson, Austin Good, this past week after his Mom, Felicitie Rismoen, posted about a nice treat he received from the company that he’s been working for in Utah. It seems almost hard to believe because time has flown by so fast, but Austin has been a project administrator for Summit Power Line construction for the last seven years and the company felt that he has done such a great job that they put him on a private jet and flew him down to Mexico to go Mule deer hunting; what an amazing reward! Yep, Austin has made his folks proud and the rest of us too. It just goes to show that you can be from a little bitty town and with determination, hard work, sacrifice and a strong work ethic you can succeed with flying colors and reap those wonderful benefits that come from all that hard work and dedication.

SHOP WITH A COP. Yes indeed, I do hope you’ve got those checkbooks ready, as it’s time for all of us to help see to it that the kids in need around here wind up getting some special treatment when they get to go Christmas shopping with our local officers. Now they can only do that if we bid high on those auction items that will be going up for bids this Saturday at the Duck Inn and I hear there are plenty of things to bid on. I do hope you reserved your table and are ready to enjoy a great dinner and try to out-bid your friends. I will be seeing you this Saturday and the poster for the event says that the doors will open at 4 p.m. with dinner at 5:30 p.m. which will be an all you can eat BBQ feast. There will also be a silent auction, raffles and a 50/50 raffle too, so here’s to raising lots of money for the kids!

SKAMOKAWA GRANGE EVENT. This Saturday, the Skamokawa Swamp Opera will be entertaining folks over at the Sk. Grange Hall at 18 Fairgrounds Road, and we always love our local group putting out fun songs and a great vibe. Doors are open at 3 p.m. and the music will begin at 4, and the cost is only five dollars with children, twelve and under, getting in free. I heard there will be some goodies being served too so the grangers are inviting all of you who love to tap your toes and have a little fun visiting with your friends and neighbors, to come to the Skamokawa Grange this Saturday afternoon.

OPEN MIC. It seems like this Saturday is a busy one as The O, located at 8 Fairgrounds Road, is having an Open Mic session beginning at 6 p.m. until closing. Once you’re done over at the Skamokawa Grange Hall, you might want to venture into the historic O and have a little fun! There’s always some pool playing going on and it’s a good place to enjoy a cold one too!

SALE TIME. As if that wasn’t enough to do down here, earlier that morning you could come down to the monthly Flea Market and T-building sale at 9 a.m. at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds. There are two buildings to check out, the vendors are in the Youth Building and the T-Building is where the flea market is. At any rate, this is a good time to check that out as vendors may have some Christmas items and we do like to shop local!

FRIENDS OF SKAMOKAWA. Speaking of shopping local, when you’re down this way, head up to the Central School/Redmen Hall/River Life Interpretive Center from noon to four, as they too have many local items up at their Book and Gift Shop. They are also having their big fund raiser right now and you can do some online bidding on all those items by going to their website and clicking on the auction link and for those of you who do all that “online stuff” well, you’ll know what to do!! If you have questions you can call 360-795-3007.

BINGO TIME. Another Saturday event that we can’t fail to mention is monthly Bingo. If you are down this way, you might just want to head over to the Norse Hall at 444 SR 409 and take part. It’s usually the second Saturday of the month. The lower doors open at 5:30 p.m. and games begin at 6 p.m., so for all you Islanders, here’s a fun thing to do right in your own back yard, so to speak! The Sons of Norway lodge members truly appreciate all your support!

UNBELIEVABLE. It seems like yesterday that someone was making fun of me when I mentioned Christmas earlier in my column... guess what? I think we went “blink” and here it is November with Thanksgiving in just three weeks and then, just like that, you’ll be needing to get any Christmas packages you have for friends and family members into the post office. The first week in December is the very best time to ship them off, they say. The next six and a half weeks are going to fly by, so get those lists made up and those running shoes on because the holiday season is about to burst out upon us in full force. Here’s to everyone who is willing to give a little present to our local shops, groups and organizations as they could always use a helping hand. Have a safe and enjoyable three-day weekend everybody!