The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

HALF OVER--Here we are, half past the middle of May so I guess you know, we should be experiencing a lot of May flowers due to April showers, and even May showers, so I hope you're enjoying the blooms and not commiserating with some of us, who really can't handle all this pollen! It's also a time where keeping our cars from being covered in that light to heavy, green haze is a real challenge!

Have you been enjoying the sunshine? I hope all of the animals you own have been too, but sadly, just about every day there are multiple reports of animals being left in vehicles. Just last week, when the temperature was in the mid-70s, it was already up to 118 inside a vehicle sitting in the sun for a half hour. Animal control was able to get there before the dog died, but it was lucky. Please don't be one of "those people." Please leave your pets at home on sunny days.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 17-23 are Betty Koziel, Tayler Stornetta, Tina Vincent, Kris Parke, Courtney A. Helms, Mitch Moonen, Mary Jodi McClain, Klarah Sause, Jamie Nelson, Frances Phelan, J.T. Luthi, Nikki Hoven, Michelle Thomas Fladebo, Julie McKinley, Makayla Holland, Kevin Wirkkala, Nathaniel Danker, Donna Moody, Signe Peterson, Mark Phillips, Mike Phelps, Rian Blain, Mary Jo Brown, Deanna Healy Ahrndt, Donna Healy Palmer, Lainie Ferguson, Brenda Ferguson and Brandon Chamberlain.

Celebrating their anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Deal, Ron and Bobbie Leingang, Mr. and Mrs. George Silva, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Faubion, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Cochran, Mr. and Mrs. John Fitzpatrick and Mr. and Mrs. Tony Danker. Here's to all of you having very special days.

OPENING TODAY--According to the Chamber Calendar, today, May 17, is the grand re-opening of the Country Pet Veterinary Clinic in Naselle, so if you're in need of pet care, why not give them a try as they are as local as we are going to get around here. I know I've been asked several times about having some pet care close by, so this place could be just right for you and your pets' needs. The CPVC phone number is 360-484-7228.

FRIDAY MOVIE--May 18 is the "cheap date night" this week, with a free movie and free popcorn at the Community Center in Cathlamet. You can also bring in your own snacks if you wish, to this Adult R-rated Drama. All movies begin at 7 p.m.

HORSES--If you like horses, you might want to head this way, as at the fairgrounds on Saturday, May 19, is the "Silver Buckle Series." Individuals will compete in various categories and they continue this series with another part of it on June 16, then on July 14 and will wrap it all up during the Wahkiakum County Fair in August. Here's hoping all these young riders and horses will be able to learn a lot, do well and enjoy this opportunity to compete.

PLANTS & BOOKS--Also this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be the annual Spring Plant and Book sale at Erickson Park, which is on Columbia Street in Cathlamet. This is sponsored by the Community Garden Volunteers and Master Gardeners, and there will be a variety of things available, like rhubarb, herbs, veggies, trees and shrubs, so go check it out!

RUN THIS SATURDAY--The 34th annual "Great White Tail Run" will take place this Saturday, May 19. The community calendar has it listed as May 20, but that is incorrect. Here's hoping you have decent weather, so that your day is much more enjoyable as you take part in this annual event. Hopefully there will be a good turn out and everyone is watchful as more foot traffic will be in our area that day. Good luck to all the participants!

CAN YOU HELP?--Nate Engleson and wife Holly have had their share of tough luck this year, and they could really use your help. Nate is a relative of the Englesons that once lived in Skamokawa so some of you may already know about their situation. For those of you who don't know, Nate was hurt quite severely in an accident and has rods in his leg and is unable to work right now. To top it off, the couple had a premature baby with a host of medical problems and is still in the hospital, so that's a double whammy for the couple. There has been a Go Fund Me page set up on their behalf on Facebook, but I understand that there is actually a cost attached to it, so members of the Naselle Volunteer Fire Department have said they will accept money on the couple's behalf and that the Englesons will receive 100 percent of all the monetary donations mailed to them, ear-marked for Nate and Holly. If you'd like to donate something to help this couple, send it to the NVFD at P.O. Box 54, Naselle, WA 98638 and specify that it goes to the Englesons. Your help would be deeply appreciated.

FOS--The River Life Interpretive Center, which is on the second floor of the Central School/Redmen Hall building in Skamokawa, will soon be showcasing a new exhibit, called "Welcome Home." This will have two openings with the first taking place June 1, on a Friday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. The second opening will be on Saturday, June 2, from noon to 4 p.m., so here's hoping you can stop by and take a look at it. Call 360-795-3007 for more details; open Thurs. through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

CAR SHOW--If you are at the "Wahkiakum Dollars For Scholars Rods and Reels Rod Run" on June 2, you can not only take in the car show, but you can go up to the aforementioned exhibit at the Redmen Hall as well! You will find lots of cars and lots of food and music at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds to keep you entertained and we hope you'll enjoy this last show, as there are going to be lots of prizes and lots of awards for those that enter a car, and you can win a some great prizes and possibly even a table of prizes, from the selection of the big raffle items that they are giving away in the Youth Building. Our community has been wonderful about donating to this event, so there are going to be some awesome things there. I can't wait to see them all! Remember, it's free for folks to just come in and look around, and you can buy a ticket to eat lunch, so here's hoping for a nice day and a big crowd.

PIGYS--The gigantic, annual, Puget Island Garage and Yard Sale will take place on the fourth weekend of June, which has five weekends that month. So, don't get confused, as it's going to be held from June 22-24 this year, and if you'd like to take part in this, you need to let co-ordinator Sandie York, know right away. There is a small fee to get listed on the map that is printed out, and beings this has become a pretty big deal, it's well worth the time and money to join in the fun, get yourself listed and clean out that garage or attic or storage shed and make a few bucks! Give Sandie a call at 360-430-0951 right away so you don't get left out.

DOING GREAT--Donna (Glenn) Healy Palmer is sure being a proud grandma once again, as her grand-daughter, Morgan Spieth was given an honorable mention this past week at the Big Sky tournament, where the Sacramento State softball team, the Hornets, were really hauling in the awards! One was named the MVP and one was the Pitcher of Year, and in all, seven players were named in the top group of gals for Sacramento. "Mo" is the daughter of Linda (Palmer) and Larry Spieth from Vancouver, and all are very proud of this young lady who is just a sophomore. Locally, she is a great niece to Gene (Karen) Healy and a cousin to me.

OUT OF THE PAST--During the first part of May 1943, the weather was very nice for the most part. Grandma Elsie Everest was under the weather however, as she said she had the flu. A coal strike was going on and this was of concern to many. World wise: Africa was taken by the Allies but it was a hard won victory. U.S. was attacking the Alaska Islands. Also, Winston Churchill of England, and other notable folks came to Washington D.C., and spoke to the Allied Nations. There was a big "to-do" in town as folks watched an aircraft carrier come down the river. It seems Astoria was to have an aircraft carrier base there and construction was set. Grandpa Ralph spent the Friday afternoon on his regular observation watch at the tower. It was in front of the old WHS high school on the hill. Carol Everest Pedersen got her driver's license during this time.

In 1948 this coming week, there was only one wet day and and the rest of them were really nice and some quite hot. The week started with a Pocahontas Lodge meeting where they celebrated the birthday of Annie White, and as always, the desserts were good and a good time was had by all! The following day, Grandma Elsie Everest and Florence West went to Alma Faubion's where they had a nice visit and enjoyed eating the banana cake that Grandma Elsie had brought along. It was a full house that week as Mr. Gallwas, Nordforce, Grenkemur, Rassmusen, Sheldon, McCallum, Bunn, Greg and Swittger were all there one day and that didn't even include Miss Geer, who came by, along with a trip to the Mast home for a nice visit! The following day, Donna Healy enjoyed her birthday cake with her family, along with her Aunt Carol and cousins. The next day, Marian Healy and her Mom, Elsie Everest, went to the show: "Green Dolphin Strut" and later that evening, Norma Pedersen Hall stopped by with her daughter, Karla Jean.

In 1958, the week started out hot, with temperatures reading 93 degrees at the home of George Everest. The following day, it had been hot but by evening, a real wild electric storm showed up and then it poured down rain. On May 20, the Bob McNallys welcomed a six pound baby boy, and this was also Bob's birthday and anniversary. The Rodney Olsons had a baby girl that same day. Gene Healy came by his grandparents home and wound up helping his cousin, Frank's car. The following day, Gene's sister, Donna, turned 18! Ralph Pedersen contacted his Mom, Carol Everest Pedersen, and said he and the family were driving up from California and everyone was happy that they would be seeing them once again. It was an early double birthday celebration when sisters Carol and Marian got together with Mrs. Holgate (their brother George's mother-in-law) and they celebrated Mrs. Holgates' 60th birthday and Carol's 42nd with some fresh pies and cake that had been made. It was quite a week of celebrations! All this according to my Grandma Elsie Everest's diaries.