Skamokawa News

NASTY WEATHER. Well, last week we certainly had some stormy conditions, rocks on the roadways, tree branches coming down, and some power outages. It was not a good time to be out and about. While we mumbled about our stormy conditions here, north of us was way worse, so I'm thankful we didn't have the problems they did, as of this writing, thousands of people near Issaquah, WA (on I-90 east of Seattle) are still without power and the roadways look like forests with downed trees everywhere! Sadly, some folks perished in this "Bomb Cyclone" event, and I think everyone got a big wake-up call as to how prepared they were for a disaster like this. Considering this is still Fall and Winter has yet to arrive, it looks like we all have some serious planning to do "just in case" that sort of thing happens here and hope it doesn't!

SPECIAL DAYS. Those celebrating their birthdays from Nov. 29 through Dec. 4 are Ton Webb, Menoka Martin, Maria Snow, MacKenzie Allen, Mike Paulsen, Joyce Ower, Tricia Coleman, Jamie Jacobson, Johnny Burdick, Jace Gibson, Terri Slape, Jennifer Hoven, Shane Souvenir, Trace Tarabochia, Matt Helm II, Dylan Cothren, Cindy Montgomery, Maxine Snyder, Lauren Rutledge, Darcey Bardsley, Mark Slape, JR DeBriae, Nolan Robinson, Willow Nortrup, Dominic Diaz, Drake Cook, Kevin Palmer, Kendra Finkas, Steve Finkas and Mark Pedersen. Celebrating their anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Holland, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Robin Herren, Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Burr, and Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Burkholter. Happy days to all!

SAYING GOOD-BYE. We have gotten through the beginning of school with all its challenges, we made it through all the Halloween hoopla, and, this week, we have enjoyed another big holiday. Thanksgiving rolled on in and I hope you enjoyed it! Many were traveling, I see, and others, like me, wound up only having to go a few miles to enjoy someone else's cooking, thanks to Brandon and Debbie Chamberlain. As of this weekend, we are saying goodbye to November and hello to December, I can't believe we are just a little over three weeks until Christmas! With Thanksgiving coming so late this month it seems our Christmas holiday time got shorter, here's hoping we survive the hectic weeks ahead.

SHOP AT THE HALL/FAIRGROUNDS. I mentioned last week that there were a couple of things to attend down here in Skamokawa, the Friends of Skamokawa hope you show up to support local business at the Central School/RLIC/Redmen Hall and do a little shopping. They are open on Saturdays and Sundays, from noon until 4 p.m. through Dec. 15. On Dec. 4, at 9 a.m., the Flea Market/Craft Fair will be at the fairgrounds along with the T-building sale. On Dec. 7, they will have their Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Youth Building and the T-building will be open for you to shop around in as well. We do hope you'll come down and support the Friends of Skamokawa.

HOLIDAY SIGN AND GIFT EVENT. The Friends of Skamokawa are announcing a fun event and fundraiser on Dec. 8 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the River Life Interpretive Center. You can design and paint your holiday sign or gift, which is being put on by Tracy McCallum and TNT. The cost is thirty-five dollars, ten of which is donated back to the FOS. You can text or call Tracy at 253-350-1582 to sign up or to get more details.

NORSE HALL CHRISTMAS PARTY. I hope you'll remember that the Sons of Norway moved their Kid's Christmas party to Dec. 8 this year. As a reminder, all those kids that are in eighth grade and younger are welcome to meet Santa, enjoy some games, decorate some cookies, and more. Head to the Norse Hall, 444 SR 409 on Puget Island from 2 to 4 and have a couple of hours of fun and some treats too!

Cathlamet TREE LIGHTING/FOOD DRIVE. Dec. 7 is a big day in Cathlamet, not only will they be having their tree lighting, but there will also going to be a canned food drive. If you'd like to help those who might need a little extra for their Christmas dinner this year, then bring a few things to donate. This event is being put on by the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce.

STAR PROGRAM. You should be seeing trees around our shops real soon and they will have stars on them that have a child's wishes for this Christmas. If you can, please pick a star, buy the things on the list, and deliver them to the proper drop-off location, which will be listed by the trees. If you can't get out and shop personally, cash donations are always welcome.

WAHKIAKUM SHOEBOXES OF JOY. Season Long and her group of folks are happily accepting donations for their Shoeboxes of Joy event which will be taking place soon. I understand that the Cathlamet Woman's Club donated to this cause, which was generous of them. You can make a cash/check donation at the Bank of the Pacific, or you can mail your check to the Wahkiakum Shoeboxes of Joy, P.O. Box 646, Cathlamet, WA 98612. There will be drop-off bins for donated items at the Duck Inn, Bank of the Pacific, and the Video Store. You can always bring things to the Skamokawa Grange as well. They will be wrapping the shoeboxes on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 and delivering the boxes on Dec. 22. If you can help out, you're welcome to come by the Sk. Grange Hall.

LOTS OF WAYS TO HELP. As you can see, there are a lot of needs out there and lots of ways to help our kids and those less fortunate than ourselves. As the holiday season begins, I do hope you'll help spread the word about these events so that all of them will be successful and we can spread a little kindness and joy to those who may need it.