Skamokawa News

STAYING DRY? Well, by the time you read this, we’ll have had quite a bit of rain with more due, but maybe, just maybe, we didn’t get the steady rainfall the entire time as we all know what that means: flooding. The weather service had also mentioned times of “blustery conditions,” so let’s hope your power stayed on and we didn’t have any rock or mud slides. This may be yet another time when we find out just how prepared we are for these storms. As we head into this third week of March after switching to Daylight Savings Time, I hope everyone is adjusting to it okay; I’m still really tired!

SPECIAL DAYS. Those celebrating birthdays this week from March 13 through 21 are Gretchen Mahitka, Connie Bassi, Mike Scott, Azery Gribskov, Grace Helms-Lampitt, Lucy Bosch, Brandy Britt, Colin Stewart, Mariah Souvenir, Connar Phelps, Chace Phelps, Carol Wegdahl, Mark Fladebo, Pat Kehrli, Lanie Hannah, Kelli Johnston, Cathy LaBerge, Katie Turgeon, Jeff Barth, Randy Hoven, Kristie Williams, Angie Nettles, Carol Martin, Danette Bardsley, Chris Cameron, Michael Berlingen, Olivia Johnson, Jenna Gorley, Izabella Lynette Holcomb Korbe, Gaylene Johnson, Laurie Miller, Matthew Kyle and Gene Healy. Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Tracy Carroll and Serene Snow, Mr. and Mrs. Ace Logan, Tyson and Sarah Clark, and Kevin and Janelle Gilligan. I wish all of you the happiest of birthdays and wonderful anniversaries. Have fun!

FOS ANNUAL MEETING. The Friends of Skamokawa want to welcome everyone to their Annual Meeting this Sunday, March 16, at 2 p.m. at the historic Central School/Redmen Hall. They will have their meeting, a pie social, and a poetry reading. Everyone is welcome to attend. Currently the FOS is looking for docents to aid in the Gift Shop/Book Store on a Saturday and Sunday, once a month, from noon to 4 p.m. Volunteers would need to be able to give a bit of history to those who might like to know a little about how the Friends of Skamokawa got formed and how the hall came to be in the shape it is now, compared to when they found it. Also, there is always the urgent need for funds to keep the building up and running. It would certainly be appreciated if you could find it in your heart to donate to this vital cause. You may send checks to the FOS PO Box 67, Skamokawa, WA 98647, or you can hand them some money when you visit them. All donations are tax-deductible.

COMMUNITY BREAKFAST. As I have mentioned several times, the Skamokawa Grange Hall is open on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon, and a special group of people has gotten together to provide a free breakfast and a cup of coffee to those who would like to share a meal with others in the community. While this is truly a free offer, donations are always welcome. They can be money to help cover the cost of the rental, a food item, coffee, paper plates, etc. If you’d like to support the members of the Skamokawa Grange in their effort to keep this historic building open and serving the folks of the community, you can always send a check to Skamokawa Grange #425, P. O. Box 123- Skamokawa, WA 98647.

QUICK REMINDER. The Skamokawa Swamp Opera will be playing some fun Irish tunes up at the Pioneer Community Center in Cathlamet on Friday, March 14 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is only ten dollars, kids under twelve are free!

CELEBRATION OF LIFE. We were so sorry to hear of Carol (Hattrick) Danker’s passing. She was always one of the sweetest people, and I’ve known her since high school, while others may remember her as one of the tellers at the bank in Cathlamet... from way back when it was Bank of America and maybe even earlier. Her celebration of life was posted on Facebook for this Saturday, March 15, at 1 p.m. at the Julius Wendt Elementary/John C Thomas Middle School. Once again, our sincere condolences to her husband, Tony, and children.

DON’T FORGET THE “O”! This is just a little reminder that this Saturday, March 15, the historic saloon located at 8 Fairground Road is having a big Saint Patrick’s Day bash. The bash includes a band, which should give you a chance to “shake a leg.” Here’s hoping everyone has a great time and enjoys the band Little Radio, performing from 7 to 9 p.m. The “O” opens at 4 p.m.

ON THE WEST END. Just a reminder about the fundraiser being held by the members of the Grays River Grange: a free movie, “The Dark Divide,” at the Grays River Grange Hall on Saturday evening. It will be taking place at 7 p.m. This is a fundraiser for the grange, and while the event is free, a donation is suggested. I hope you can donate generously and there will be freshly popped popcorn and beverages. Have fun! The grange is located at 11 South Hull Creek Road in Grays River, near Duffy’s. If you need more info, call 360-465-2268.

HOOK THE HAWG. Well, maybe it’s because I’m not in the “fishing world,” but I just found out about the Hook the Hawg Salmon Derby, which will be held March 27, 4 a.m. through March 29, 5 p.m. down at the Elochoman Slough Marina in Cathlamet. The Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce is putting on this event. The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for Youth, 17 and under. You can check out their website to register or stop by the chamber office or the marina. I hope you catch a big one and maybe even win one of those cash prizes. There will also be an after-party with an awards ceremony and a raffle drawing. Here’s hoping the fish are biting on those days!

NEW SMELT DIPPING LAWS. In case you missed it, a new law passed last year on June 6 that requires a Washington fishing license to dip-net for smelt. This has made many folks pretty upset as we have always had to abide by the bucket limit, and you could wade in and scoop a bunch of them up... for free! So, right now, March 12 through March 15, the 4-day smelt season is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day for you to dip, with a license!

BIG EASTER EGG HUNT. This event won’t happen until April 20, but I wanted to give you a quick heads-up so you can plan for it. There will be a huge Easter “EGGSTRAVAGANZA” on April 20, with 2,000 hidden eggs at the Spartan Electric Field on Puget Island. Wow! Now get this: it’s a free egg hunt, and I’m guessing all of you that have kids would have an absolute blast going there. More on this as the time gets closer, but if you need more information or want to pitch in and help, contact Steph Bartell at 360-560-2943.

NORSE HALL. I mentioned the monthly Bingo over at the Norse Hall on Puget Island recently, which is held on the second Saturday evening of each month, but I failed to mention their monthly meetings, which are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. The Sons of Norway lodge members would love for you to join them, and you don’t have to be Norwegian. If you’d like to rent the Norse Hall, call Sue at 360-244-0145. If you’d like to donate for them to continue the upkeep of this great historic building, you can send it to Sons of Norway, P. O. Box 544, Cathlamet, WA 98612.

MUSEUM. In a couple of months, the Wahkiakum Historical Society will be opening the museum in Cathlamet and if you’d be interested in being a host/hostess for a Saturday or Sunday, please get in touch with Kari Kandoll at 360-849-4353. She can arrange to get you acquainted with the building and get you trained. It’s a fun way of meeting new folks who come in and browse around while learning our county’s history. If you’re new here, it’s a great way to learn about your new home, and if you’re an “old timer,” then it’s an excellent way for you to be able to share stories about this place we call home along the gorgeous Columbia River. I think all the storytellers should get together and write a book. What great insights we would have into those “good ole days”. If you’d like to help keep our museum up and running, please think of donating by sending a check to WCHS, 65 River Street, Cathlamet, WA 98612

SK. VISTA PARK. With time flying by at ridiculous speed, it will soon be summertime, and if you’re looking for a great place to camp, there’s not a better spot to be had than right here in Skamokawa at Skamokawa Vista Park! Its panoramic view of the mighty Columbia River shows the big ships sliding by so close you feel you could reach out and touch them. Whether you’re looking east or west, that river and the surrounding hills are just beautiful. You won’t find a better place to watch the sunsets either as they are just stunning when the sky lights up and reflects off the water in a way that seems to cleanse your soul. It’s truly majestic some evenings so be sure to bring your camera with you. If you like a little activity other than taking in the view, there’s basketball, tennis, horseshoes, and a nice big field to throw Frisbees or a football in, and of course, there’s a playground for the kids. When they’re done making sandcastles on the beach, they can come up and swing and slide for a bit. However, the only downfall to the place is that the camping spots can fill up quickly, so if you’d like to camp out in this wonderful spot, you’ll need to call the park office ASAP. There is a wide variety of options for you: full hook-ups for big RVs, partial hook-ups, tent sites, and if you’re lucky, they’ll have a yurt open. At any rate, don’t delay, call: 360-795-8605 today! If you don’t intend to camp here, you can come on down, take in the view, walk along the river with your toes in the sand, and let all the world’s angst slip away!

ST. PADDY’S DAY. I always hear that we’re all a wee bit Irish when it comes to Saint Patrick’s Day. True or not, hey, why not go with it? Be sure to wear some green, enjoy a bit of Corned Beef and Cabbage somewhere, and maybe drink a green beer! Or Margarita. Most importantly, have a good time with your friends and family, and enjoy the holiday as we never know when you’ll be celebrating your last.