CLOUDY--As this work week begins, it's pretty cloudy in the morning, but the cloudiness is not supposed to mean any rain. This past weekend we either had fog or morning clouds, so it was good "working weather" in the early hours and then it was time to enjoy the sunshine when it came out around 11 or so; worked out great, I thought, and the temperatures were pretty toasty by late afternoon.

It's hard to believe that another month is coming to an end this weekend; we'll be into August and Fall sports before you know it--yikes!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from July 29-August 4 are Levi Helms, Noreen Holten, Jacob Nelson, Thomas Danny Eaton, David Eaton, Aaron Eaton, Robert Fritzie, David Black, Steve Havens, Betty Huber, Jennifer Norris, Sheran Parker, Robbie Meyer, Ben Webb, Jae Stewart, Cassi Luthi, Fred Hoven, Hannah Davison, Jennifer Blain Cochran, and 67'ers Larry Longtain, Marnee Ostervold Davis, Martin Davis and yours truly, Kay Pedersen Chamberlain. May we all have super birthdays!

Happy Anniversary to the Karl Johnsons, the Fred Hovens, the Alan Kehrlis and again, yours truly and hubby Bill Chamberlain--today!

THIS SATURDAY--The second round of the Silver Buckle Gaming series is this Saturday at the Wahkiakum Fairgrounds. You can enjoy watching the horses as they round the barrels and romp around the arena. While you're there, we hope you'll stop by the grange food booth and have a little lunch with us. Carol McClain is to be thanked for being in charge of this fund raiser for the grange and we really appreciate her efforts. If you'd like to help her out, feel free to give her a call.

HOPPIN' ALONG--We wish Becky Ledtke a speedy recovery after a little accident she had on the farm. She is now getting around on crutches. This is a super busy time for Becky, who not only has her own business to take care of, but has the fair events to deal with as fair board president and column writer, and the T-building to decorate, as she's the superintendent of that building, as well as being a part time postal carrier and a homemaker and farm hand, etc. So being laid up right now is really not convenient. If you would like to help with the decorating of the T-building, give her a call and let her know you'd be willing to lend a hand!

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY--Chuck and Sheran Parker held their 50th wedding anniversary party on July 17, although their actual wedding date is not until September 24. It was held this month so that their children, LeeAnn, Brenda, Tim and Greg could all get together to put on this special celebration. There were about 100 friends and family members at the Skamokawa Grange Hall and they all had a very good time and enjoyed the catered food and some period music with the girls singing and the guests mouthing the words along to the 60s music. Many folks took turns telling stories and bringing back the past of Chuck and Sheran and their lives together. Once the party was over, the kids had to scatter once again as the girls headed off to northern Idaho, Tim was off to Colorado Springs and Greg was headed to Singapore! The Parkers said they can't wait for the next 50! Good luck on that and congratulations Chuck and Sheran on your golden day.

BIG REUNION--The 70s reunion went over well last weekend at the Skamokawa Grange Hall and while I didn't get an actual "official" head count, I was told that the estimated numbers were in the range of about 130 to 150 people, as folks came and went throughout the day. They definitely had a great day for their reunion with the sun shining, the BBQ cooking and lots of folks getting reacquainted after many years. Susan Kuhn and Debbie Melton started things early by getting tables set up, a table full of prizes set up and walls decorated with old class pictures and such, as they're always fun to look at. Those in charge of getting the various classes notified had a big job too, so they were all to be commended. If you didn't get notified, then remember to contact someone in your class or get hooked up to the Mule Train Class reunion page on Facebook and then you won't miss out on any fun reunions that are being planned. Mark Pedersen and Todd Gunn were the karaoke kings in the evening hours and provided fun and entertainment, so it was all good. Having the grange hall available for events like these is one more reason that we grangers are working so hard to keep the doors open on this great building.

ALL SCHOOL REUNION--An all school WA-KI-HI gathering is in the works for 2015. Start sharing the news with friends and fellow classmates, as often times a person in charge has lost track of some of their class members, but someone else knows where they are; so, talk it up, think ahead and plan on having a grand ole time five years from now!

SKAMOKAWA REUNION--If you went to school in Skamokawa, you have a reunion coming up. Skamokawa Vista Park will be full of classmates on August 21. It's a potluck as usual, beginning at 1 p.m. and besides food, bring some pictures to share of your family. For more info, call Gary Emery, 795-0065.

THREE WEEKS--Can you believe it? Fair time is just three weeks away! The fairgrounds are looking quite spiffy already and a lot of work has been going on to get it that way, so many thanks to all of you who are responsible for that. The rest of us need to get our entries lined up and ready to enter and hope we get those blue ribbons which turn into cash at the end of the fair. Who couldn't use a little extra pocket money? Check out the premium book and the rules for each category and we'll see your talents at the fair! Remember, August 19, 20 and 21 are the dates to be at the county fairgrounds!

KIDS DANCE--The Skamokawa Grange Hall will be bustling with excitement once again during fair time as a Teen Dance will be held at the hall August 20. We hope all of you parents will allow your youngsters to take advantage of the music and this fair sponsored event and have a really fun evening from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Kids, bring your friends and dance,dance, dance!

COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER--It may seem early but with the time flying by, September will be here before you know it and the Skamokawa Grange Hall will be used for a couple of events that month. The Friends of Skamokawa will host their annual Wine Tasting and Auction event September 11 this year. Those of you who have been there before know what great items are gathered for the silent and live auctions, and how those bidding wars can just be a blast.

The Skamokawa Grangers are hoping to have a Candidates Night on September 13. The grangers will forego their usual meeting that night to discuss the important issues of the county.

RECUPERATING--We hope Jonnie Knowles gets to come home soon, as she's been at the Columbia View Nursing Home for some time now recuperating from a total knee replacement. She hopes to be there soon so she can take care of hubby, Jerry, who will be having some surgery himself soon.

KAYAKING--I hope all of you water/kayaking lovers signed up for either of the great kayaking opportunities this weekend at the Paddle Center in Skamokawa. Don't forget to sign up for the Loco Roundup that takes place August 19-22. You can check out all of these opportunities online or call the center at 795-8300.

GREAT VISIT--It's been quite a week in West Valley as son Nathan Chamberlain and wife Debbie and their son Bryce were here from Texas, and I do believe they brought the heat with them! With all the sun shining, it was time for BBQs and trips to the coast and drives along all the roads in the area. A big difference from their area with its miles of straight roads on flat land. They really loved all the greenery and rocky bluffs and mountains, as they don't have any of those where they live. One thing they weren't too fond of were our cool, foggy and damp mornings. They have our high temperatures for their low ones, rarely below 80 at night this time of year; a big difference for sure! Needless to say, they did enjoy the evening hours here when the tide winds blew in and the cooler temperatures made being outside much more pleasant than at home. The timing was just right for them one day when they ran into Treasure Collupy, who was more than happy to show them some of his fantastic glass works and of course, Debbie was more than happy to acquire a few to take back to Texas! The trio met up with more family members while they were here and enjoyed a Seattle tour given to them by brother Pete, and a great dinner by brother Brian and some great gab sessions with brother Brandon and various friends.

ACTING ANYONE?--If you'd like to try your hand at participating in a play this Fall, there will be auditions in Astoria on August 15 and 16 for parts in "Arsenic and Old Lace" at the ASOC Playhouse in Astoria and you need not be experienced to try out. The show will be held for three weekends in October. If you're interested, and want more information, call Markus at 503-791-6044 or Judy Niland at 503-325-6104.

SAD NEWS--We were shocked to learn of the death of former PUD lineman Mike Brennan, who passed away suddenly last weekend. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife Gerry and his son and daughter at this most difficult time. Services are to be held Saturday.