Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
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Ghosts of Grays River: The Jesse Baker Jr. Saga Part I Near the corner of State Route 4 West and North Hull Creek Road sits the oldest home in Grays River built around 1870 by Samuel Walker. The grass is close to four feet high in places, hiding this 150 year old home. It would be wonderful to see this home restored and put to use as a historical landmark. I find it comical and yet a bit sad that there is a heritage sign in front of the house that refers to the Meserve Park but says nothing...
A Wedding for the Ages When was the last time you were invited to a wedding in which you did not know either the bride or groom? Ron Relethford and Laura Knight, both 62, from the Seattle area placed an ad in The Wahkiakum County Eagle inviting the public to attend their wedding at Meserve Park on Saturday and the reception following at Duffy's Irish Pub. This was something I had never heard of. Why? It doesn't matter, I'm going. I met the couple and they agreed to allow me to share their story...
Lost Treasure Hidden in Plain Sight I love to do research into the history of the area, and I get surprised by the amount of information that leads to new discoveries for me. This gives me insights as to who, what, when, where, and why the area is the way it is. I have started on many stories only to get sidetracked by something I feel would best benefit the readers as well as my editor. As a result my stories take on a more personal feel so the history comes alive again. While researching for...
Grays River Then and Now My life forever changed when I was drafted into the United States army in 1969 right out of high school. Throughout my experiences in the military, I found myself for the most part not thinking about the past or the future. I was just living in the moment like most GIs at the time, not knowing my destiny. The years went by so fast, as if my life was a blur, that when it was my time to return home, I still visualized everything in my hometown to be the same and everyone...
Through the Fog of Time Part II The house where Hjalmar and Mabyn Klint raised their three children is still seen today in the valley where they had lived. The three Klint brothers must have known what an opportunity they had in acquiring the land. The area had a natural clearing, and they did not need to cut down as many trees in order to have decent land for farming or raising cattle. In many other places like Eden Valley, it would take decades to clear the tree stumps for a respectable farm....
Have you ever had an experience that you felt was surreal like a dream, but you are awake and conscious? That was my experience this past Saturday. It really started last week when the editor asked me if I wanted to cover a story about the ceili musicians staying at Skamokawa Vista Park. This group came from the Portland metro area to play and dance at Vista Park, Duffy's Irish Pub, and Skamokawa Grange #425. I initially thought I would go to Duffy's and take some pics and do a story, but I met...
Through the Fog of Time Part I Imagine yourself driving east on State Route 4, and as you cross the Grays River bridge just east of Shannon Road, when a sudden fog immerses the car and the car comes to a halt. You get out of the car and notice the fog beginning to clear just west of Fossil Creek Road on the west side of the KM Mountain. Instead of seeing the highway, you see the Saldern Logging camp busy as ever on the south side of where the highway was. You realize you have gone back to the...
Rosburg School Road Project Approved Wahkiakum County commissioners unanimously approved Professional Engineer Paul Lacy's proposal for the Rosburg School road. The plan calls for the widening of the present entrance and filling part of the ditch to better accommodate incoming and outgoing traffic. The present exit road will be considered to make a walking pathway. Also recommendations were made to lower the speed limit to 40 mph in front of the Rosburg Store out of safety concerns with traffic...
Paradise found in the Westend Just a little west of the Rosburg Store hidden in plain sight lies eight and a half acres that was once just pasture land. There were no trees on the property. That was almost two decades ago, and the pasture has trees hiding the solace on Seal River for Poul and Zenaida Toftemark who reside there. Zenaida is from the Philippines and has lived in the United States for 45 years. Poul was born on Fyn Island in Denmark and moved to Eugene, Ore., when he was 13. He...
An Old Barn Over the years traveling to and fro in the Westend, I would go by an old barn in Deep River across the highway from Deep River Camp. I had no idea who owned it and the surrounding property and I assumed it to be abandoned, but during Christmas I would see the barn lit up with Christmas lights. To most it is just an old barn, but to the curious like myself, it is calling me. There are too many stories with this old barn, and I would like to know. One day traveling back from Naselle,...
Wahkiakum Search and Rescue, Part Two I have only touched on a small part of what search and rescue is all about. Wahkiakum County Search and Rescue does have four K-9 teams including trailing, air-scent, and evidence search. Their K-9 teams work with a trainer, attend conferences, and practice in order to maintain and improve their skills. They are proudly sponsored by AKC CAR, Cowlitz Animal Clinic, Healthy Hound, Intervet, Mule Country Pet Sitting, and Petco. Wahkiakum County Search and...
Wahkiakum County Search and Rescue The images seen on television showing people searching for a missing person gives the impression to many people that the searchers are just going for a casual walk. Nothing is farther from the truth. I had the opportunity to sit down with Arlene Stefan and her daughter, Jean Kelsey, who are both a part of the local search and rescue team and listen to them explain some of the processes it takes to become a part of the search and rescue team. Arlene, who is now...
The Last Badger It is with sadness to announce to those of you who knew Dean Badger that he passed away in Yuma, Arizona, of a heart attack at the age of 80. He was my neighbor and one of the first in the county to befriend me. On my arrival here, Tom Zimmerman and his brother, John, and John's three boys, helped me move in next to Dean Badger. Dean welcomed us with apple pie a la mode. This was my first encounter with Dean. The Badger family has had five generations in 100 years. Raymond...
Lest We Forget Throughout our lives we all have had events, people, and places, especially, that have influenced our memories. We still at times gaze into space recalling a past place we wish we could see again, but it is gone. Many of you remember when Johnson Park was the Rosburg School. Some of you were students who loved to romp the halls but now have children and grandchildren of your own. Others were the teachers who had a great influence on their young minds. The nice thing is that the...
Climate in Wahkiakum County "The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco." This is a quote that has been credited to Mark Twain, but has not been verified. True or not, Mark Twain has not to my knowledge been in southwest Washington in June. It has been so cold this month we should rename the month "Juneuary" in honor of Jack Frost's late departure. For those of you who are relatively new to the community and for those who have been here forever, you may still like to...
Dogs and Goats Throughout the Westend all the way to Naselle, I have had the opportunity to talk with many who have a variety of animals from cattle for meat and/or dairy and goat farmers. All these people I talked to have dogs. These dogs are used as work dogs, guard dogs, and pets. They protect the property, animals, and the owners. I have met some who have a goat or goats as pets and they have dogs as well. I acquired a brown and white chested pit bull as a rescue dog a little over a year...
Finns and Flowers In 1959 Washington State officially designated the coast rhododendron (Rhododendron acrophyllum) as the state flower; however, in 1892 it was really selected as the state flower by the women of Washington for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. This coastal rhododendron was first discovered in 1792 by Archibald Menzies when he and George Vancouver landed near present day Port Discovery. By 1850 rhododendron seeds were being sent to England by William Lobb. There are only two natural...
Hidden in plain sight The demographics of both Wahkiakum and Pacific Counties have indicated a rise in people moving into the area who are not familiar with the history or customs of the area. The names of roads and towns are peculiar and unfamiliar. Then they enter a quaint little town in Pacific County called Naselle. What kind of name is that? Is it Finnish because of the amount of Finns who were the early pioneers of the area? All kinds of conjecture and speculation come to their mind. I...
It has been almost 40 years since the Stella Historical Museum has been repainted. The cost for painting was approximately $8,500. These funds were acquired from dues from historical society members, fund raisers, government grants, personal donations and bequests from wills by those who passed and felt the importance of preserving this historical post office and blacksmith shop. Stella's old post office was located across the highway where there is now a garage belonging to Harvey and Barbara...
The Rosburg Legacy Everyone leaves a legacy in their lives that only a few may know or even remember; however, along life's journey there are glimpses of heaven to be seen from Cathlamet to Naselle. I am not talking about the wonderful sights we experience and at times take for granted; I am referring to what really makes life a bit of heaven here, the people. I have had the pleasure of meeting many who have been here for a short time to those who have lived here all their lives. On one recent...
Gone but not Forgotten...Conclusion Anyone who has traveled west of the KM at this time of year has seen the many wonderful varieties of rhododendrons along the way. I knew almost nothing of these beautiful flowers except that there are different colors. I saw a huge one at the Seal River Cemetery that aroused my curiosity about this marvelous flower. I have discovered to my surprise that there are over a thousand species of rhododendrons worldwide and only 27 native to North America and many...
Gone but not forgotten 2 The main reason you see my picture and e-mail address is so that I will be recognized by the community in which I serve. My motive is to be able to reach the community to find out what the needs are and to try and find ways to facilitate that need. Sometimes in my zeal for the truth I miss some important information and you my gracious readers have responded to help me correct errors. I am thankful to the readers for your e-mails and for approaching me in public with...
Gone, but not forgotten While coming back from Altoona after taking pics of Pillar Rock for The Focus on Wahkiakum, I took a detour down to Eden Valley. I was not looking to write this story, but the inspiration that followed changed everything. While driving and perusing the landscape I realized that many of the old farm lands are overgrown with marsh grasses unfit for cattle. These early pioneers took sometimes decades to clear enough arable land to make a decent living as a farmer. They would...
Giants hold benefit concert at Grange Last Thursday, Grays River Grange #124 had a concert with Giants in the Trees as their record release benefit concert to benefit Moon Mertz who has multiple sclerosis. People can still donate to help by sending donations through PayPal at rosecreekretreat@gmail.com. Robert Novoselic was on hand early to help prepare for this event. This band has an exceptional sound that is new and fascinating. Giants in the Trees electrified the audience with songs from the...
Grange installs new sign for Meserve Park William Nelson Meserve 1867-1953 and his wife Harriet Alta Meserve 1878-1951 operated the Meserve Store at approximately the same location as the park lies today in Grays River. William was not always a mercantile man as most might think. As early as 1889 he along with his friend Simon Benson fell logs for a living when their only tool was an ax. The Grays River Grange #124 added the new sign for Meserve Park made from salvaged redwood donated by Erik...
