GOT DAMP--We ended last week with a bit of rain and started the weekend that way too, which of course, was not ideal for those with outdoor plans, but the moisture was certainly needed. The week started with some cool temperatures and quite a bit of fog in the early morning hours on Sunday and Monday, which left everything dripping wet here in West Valley, but then the sun came out and it was real nice. However, as of Tuesday, it looks like our week may be damper and cooler with mountain snow mid-week, but hopefully things will get a little drier for the weekend; one can only hope!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Oct. 12-18 are Sami McKinley, Heidi Heywood, Cameron Collins, Lisa Sauer, Randy Kuhn, Dixie Anderson, Aron Havens, Mike Phelan, Heather Knowles Ratcliff, Josie Parker, Adele Swift, Katie Webb, Kevin Gilligan, Mary Toste, Curt Moore, Myles Whitaker, Keith McNally, Jennifer Kyle and Hunter Baldwin.

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Brent Mahitka, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Reid, Joe and Sheryl Weaver and Keith and Karen Lawrence. Here's hoping you all have wonderful celebrations this coming week.

MULES PLAY--It will be another home game for the WA-KI-HI Mules football team as they take on Toledo tomorrow night, Oct. 13, with the varsity game beginning at 7 p.m. If you're planning ahead, their next game, on Oct. 20 is away in Winlock. The Lady Mules volleyball team will play Adna at home tonight, Oct. 12, and their varsity match starts at 7 p.m. On Tuesday, they will play in Mossyrock, with their next home game on Oct. 19 against Kalama. Go Mules!

MOVIE NIGHT--It's Free Movie Night on Friday at the community center in Cathlamet. It begins at 7 p.m., and is a documentary set for all ages. Contact the center for more information. As always there is free popcorn or you can bring your own snacks or have pizza delivered.

SATURDAY FLEA MARKET--This Saturday, Oct. 14, from 9 to 3, there will be the monthly Flea Market at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds. Vendors can rent a table for $10 and you can sell your stuff or you can donate to the Fair Foundation so that they have more things to sell.

FOS--There will be a fund raising event for the Friends of Skamokawa Foundation this Saturday night at 7 p.m., which features local author, Robert Michael Pyle. He will be doing a reading and a book signing, and for your convenience, (no stairs) it will be held at the Skamokawa Resort's Conference Center located behind the Sk. General Store. This location is very accessible to all so it's a great opportunity to get your copy of "Where Bigfoot Walks; Crossing the Dark Divide," and where you can not only meet the author but you'll be able get your book signed and help the non-profit, Friends of Skamokawa. Need more information? Call 360-795-3007. They are open Thursday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

FUND RAISER/CORRECT DATE--You may have noticed that the header to my column last week was incorrect, but I'm guessing most of you figured that out on your own, as I wouldn't be advertising something that was already over! Anyway, I hope you read the rest of my column to find out that the upcoming "Fall Stew and Cornbread" meal at the Skamokawa United Methodist Church to aid the hurricane ravaged citizens of Puerto Rico, will be held on Oct. 21 from 4 to 7 p.m., which will be the Saturday after this one, so no, you didn't miss it. Please try to attend and if you can donate some cookies to go with the coffee, that would be great too. This is a donation event and 100 percent of all proceeds will be donated to help the people in Puerto Rico.

SKAMOKAWA GRANGE--The meeting hours of the Skamokawa Grange #425 have now been changed to 5:30 p.m., and ending at 7 p.m. Their next meeting is on Oct. 17. They meet on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. They now hold Yoga classes there on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. The Grange will have a table at the Flea Market at the fairgrounds this Saturday, Oct. 14, as they continue to raise money in hopes of getting the entire grange hall painted next year. Recently they primered the front of the building. On Oct. 18, the Women's Activities Group will meet at 10:30 a.m., and the group's handmade decorations for their tree will be gathered, as they'll have one on display at the Bank of the Pacific during the Lighting of the Trees Festival in Cathlamet. The Election of Officers will be at their meeting on Nov. 7. Remember, if you have an event coming up, the Grange Hall is available for rent and you can call Master Levi Helms at 360-431-9506 for all the particulars. If you'd like to give them a hand, and would like to make a donation towards their painting project, you can mail it to: Skamokawa Grange #425, P.O. Box 123, Skamokawa, WA 98647.

TIDY THE TOWN--It's always great when people come together for the good of their community and last year, Suzanne Holmes of the Pioneer Church Association organized their first "Tidy the Town" (TTT) event. They really made a world of difference down at the marina walking trail, as it was becoming a tangled mess of stickers and weeds and just totally overgrown. They worked their magic around the church and other areas, and by the time they were done, things were looking much tidier. This event is once again going to take place in conjunction with "National Make A Difference Day," meaning this TTT event will be held Oct. 28, with everyone meeting at the Community Center, right by the church, at 9 a.m. Bringing your own tools for various jobs is necessary and wearing gloves to do the different jobs, like pulling weeds, would be smart. If you need any more information, call Suzanne Holmes at 360-430-3771.

On that note, I don't know of anybody doing an organized cleaning or tidying up job here in Skamokawa, but maybe we could all just do our part and tidy up around us, or maybe get your particular neighborhood or valley to have a clean up day at that time too. Just walking a mile along your road and picking up trash would be helpful. Many hands make for light work they say, so why not gather up your friends and neighbors and pitch in to clean up an area near you?

CELEBRATED--Matt Helms celebrated his birthday with friends and family this past Saturday evening at the Roadkill Saloon, and they all had a wonderful time I heard. Seeings how this was one of those special birthdays, like the "Big Five-O" for Matt, we're glad he had such a wonderful birthday celebration.

GET WELL--We want to offer our speediest "get well, feel better soon" wishes to April Murdock of the Roadkill Saloon, as she is under doctors' orders to take some time off so she posted that they'll be closed for a bit. However, they can open up for special events but you'll need to give them a call and get that set up. At any rate, we hope April takes it easy and gives her body a rest, and hopefully she'll be pain free real soon.

THREE WEEKENDS--If you're looking for an espresso at SK. Vista Park, you'll only have three more weekends to take advantage of that service. It's been nice having the coffee trailer there, but it's getting late in the year and so with the end of October soon upon us, you'll need to enjoy this coffee stop while you can.

BINGO LOVERS--Don't forget, if you're a lover of bingo, you can head to the Norse Hall on Puget Island on Saturday evening, where the Sons of Norway are holding their monthly bingo game. The games are played in the lower level of the hall, with the doors open at 5:30 p.m., and games beginning at 6 p.m. This is a monthly fund raiser for the group, which unless advertised, happens on the second Saturday of each month.

HOLIDAYS COMING SOON--If you're looking through your holiday things and you realize you've got too many Halloween things, why not donate them to the Jason Raineys for the Haunted House they're putting together down at the fairgrounds? If you've got too many Christmas things, the Kiwanis are looking for nice items for their table at the St. James holiday event that they always have. Even St. James takes items for their "Holiday store" so the little kids can select things for their family members to give to them at Christmas time. Don't forget, the food banks will be needing extra food items for holiday dinners, so whatever you can spare, would certainly be appreciated. Plus, it's getting colder, so nice, clean, warm coats and jackets and gloves would make for a great donation as well. Whatever you have extra, just know that someone would probably really enjoy getting it, so contact your local non-profit agencies and see what items you can help provide. The act of giving to those in need is so rewarding. We hope you'll help in whatever way you can.