SOGGY--Well, most of this past Memorial weekend was pretty damp I'm afraid. There were a few hours on a couple of days where it was not raining and not too terribly cold, but if you were out camping, you would probably not think this was the most terrific weather for doing so. I know walking around through wet grass or mud puddles is not that much fun, and neither is loading up those wet tents and things when the weekend is over, so hopefully you stayed late enough that you got to dry things out when that sunshine finally showed up about 3 p.m. on Monday. Too bad it couldn't have showed up a little earlier! And we really want it dry this weekend. Why?

THIS IS IT--Well, we want it dry because the big "Rods and Reels Rod Run" is taking place here in Skamokawa at the grange/park/fairgrounds and we would really like to see the sun shine! We have been fortunate over the past four years and we hope we continue our lucky streak and we get some decent weather Saturday.

I hear we have some new folks coming this year and so we'll be anxious to see what kind of cars they'll be showing off. You have from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to get your car registered, so if you haven't done an early pre-registration, keep those times in mind; you don't want to miss out on getting that car registered, like several folks did last year. Door prizes are given out at various time during the day to those who register their vehicles and then the big prizes that anyone can win if their lucky ticket is drawn and other car awards are given out beginning at 3:30 p.m. This is a two part event, so the sturgeon derby part of this starts a little later and their prizes are awarded a little later as well. However, the music will be playing and the trout pond will be there for the youngsters and don't forget that the BBQ fish and chicken is there, so we hope you're ready to have another great time at this very important fund raiser for our kids, as it all goes for scholarships for the Naselle Comets and Cathlamet Mules! And don't forget, if you are a high school student and want to enter a vehicle, there is no entry fee for you, so come on down and bring your "wheels" with you!

METHODIST CHURCH--Just a reminder that you can start your Saturday over at the Skamokawa Methodist Church, as at 7 a.m., you can load up on biscuits and gravy, pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee, juice or milk for just $6, a great deal! To top it off, they will be doing their part in helping out the Dollars for Scholars group, as they will be donating a dollar from each breakfast to them!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from June 3 through 9 are Rebecca Helms, Sharin Moody, Roger Davis, Hayley Kerstetter, Gwyn Heriford, Lori Parke, Ryan Helms, Brenden McClain, Justin Anderson and Shannon Cochran. Happy Anniversary wishes go to David and Connie Shrum and Nathan and Debbie Chamberlain. Enjoy your special days!

THE BIG FORTY-FIVE--Wayne and Kay Cochran recently celebrated their 45th anniversary and enjoyed a few days in Astoria watching the ships go by on the mighty Columbia and having a great dinner at "Baked Alaska," so it sounded like they had a very nice time down there.

GET WELL--A couple of folks who may need some good thoughts and prayers said in their behalf this week are Marv Holland and Martha Backman, as they both took trips to the hospital recently. We hope they are both doing much better now and continue to do well now that they are back home.

NEW FACES--The "Smoky Water Follies" cast has some new faces this year and that's always exciting so we hope you'll come out to see them perform their skits and songs at this musical revue which comes out at the end of the month at the Skamokawa Grange Hall. It was great to see Pam Emery in the line up this year, along with teens Marissa Washington and Jordyn Wirkkala, and a few others as well, so get ready for some great singing, some funny slapstick comedy and some great musical talents. Tickets are now available and you can get them from cast members and grange members, as well as our regular outlets, so support the Skamokawa grangers' efforts to keep improving this historical building that's been such an important part of Skamokawa history. On June 25 and 26, the show begins at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday's matinee on June 27 begins at 2 p.m. Hope to see you there!

MEETINGS THIS MONTH--The Skamokawa Grangers are reminded that their meetings this month will take place on June 14 and 28. Our next meeting will discuss the final preparations for the Silver Buckle Gaming Series, a horse event, taking place over at the fairgrounds, in which grangers will be serving up some food. Anyone interested in helping them out, as help is always needed, should call Sheran Parker at 795-3782 or Carol McClain at 795-3337.

PADDLE CENTER--The Skamokawa Paddle Center is now open on Saturday and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment if necessary and they have kayaks, canoes and even a rowboat to rent, so enjoy a cruise around the sloughs and creeks in one of these some weekend and see some of the area in a way you've never seen it before. They have several events coming up, including the JBH Wildlife Refuge tour this weekend and June 18; an Immersion class for beginning kayakers this Saturday as well, and even a Puget Island evening tour that same day, although this tour also takes place on the 12th, 19th and 27th as well. If you're new to the canoe, Canoe 101 will be just up your alley with lessons/instructions taking place this coming Sunday. The full calendar can bee seen at http://www.columbiariverkayaking.com/calendar/html so check that out.

Looking ahead, the Fourth Annual Loco Roundup will be taking place at "Slow Boat Farm" on Puget Island August 19-22, and while that is a ways off, the early bird registration deadline is July 1, which saves you $10, so is less than a month away, so check that out at http://www.locoroundup.com

BIG WINS--The Pete Sechler family was celebrating this past week with a couple of great wins: 10 year old Luke took fifth place in the city wide run for 10 year olds, so that was quite a feat considering how many 10 year olds there are in track in Seattle! Then, this past Memorial Day, coach Pete and his seventh grade Hoopaholics team wound up winning the championship game; a very exciting time for those girls and Pete! Congrats to winners Luke and Tessa!

TOO KIND?--This time of year always brings out our little friends, the hummingbirds. It seems we may be harming the little critters without meaning to with sugar solutions that are way to heavy on the sugar. According to one veterinarian, the birds may need the four to one solution when they first arrive but after that, we should be thinning that down to six to one or even seven to one, as too much sugar can damage their livers and cause their deaths. I'm sure none of us want that to happen, so if you're using a strong hummingbird solution, you might want to rethink that and stop "killing them with kindness".

REMINDER....DEADLINE SOON--The Lion's Club will only be taking orders for their buckets of strawberry's until June 12, so if you'd like a 14 or 28 pound bucket of these sliced berries, be sure to call this coming week 795-3337 or 849-4003.

LOOKING GOOD-- Have you been to Skamokawa Vista Park lately? Check out the new roofs on the buildings there; much needed and a great look to welcome the spring/summer campers and visitors. The freshly graveled road and the grounds were all looking very nice; lots of work has been done as it readies itself for upcoming guests and events, like the "Skamokawa All School Reunion" in August.