NIPPY--We've had some dry days with sunshine and some wet ones with windy conditions, but they all seemed very cold to me, rain or shine. Brr, it must be about winter time all right! They say more rain is due this week but they said that last week and some days weren't bad at all, so we can hope they aren't right this week! Unfortunately, most computer models show a lot of rain coming in, so keep your eyes on the creeks and streams and report any flooding immediately. I guess that means we should all be stocked up on gas, batteries for flashlights, extra groceries, etc. That survival pack is supposed to contain three days worth of supplies, so I hope you've got it ready and then hope we don't need it at any time this winter! However, better safe than sorry.

THIS IS IT: FREE DINNER--This Saturday the Skamokawa Grange Hall will be bursting in song and holiday cheer as they serve up a free spaghetti dinner to the community. We hope you'll join us between 6 and 8 p.m. You could also win a beautiful holiday basket which was donated to us by the Collupys. Michelle Collupy arranged it and it includes three hand-blown glass orbs by hubby, Treasure, so that's a very unique gift with a very high dollar value and the fact that he is a local artisan and grange member, makes it even more special. Other items will be given away as well, so come and eat dinner and if you purchase the winning ticket, you could win a prize. You needn't be present to win. This dinner is being put on by the Skamokawa Grange #425 and the Skamokawa Fire Department and while we would certainly appreciate a donation to offset our expenses, it's not absolutely necessary, so please join us this Saturday night for a little taste of Italian and some holiday music!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from December 9-15 are Carol McClain, Jai Snow, Tom Bosch, Tyler Johnson, Aaron York, Elaine Lindsey, Christina Luthi, Paul Stewart, Derek West, Ian Anderson, Mary Keithley, Sam Patching, Amy Prestegard, Joyce Cothren, Sandy Bergseng and Dennis Emery. Here's hoping your birthdays are the happiest of celebrations for you this week! Happy Anniversary wishes this week go to Jerry and Jonnie Knowles, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Emery and Mr. and Mrs. Gary Backman. Here's to many more!

GOOD NEWS--It sounds like it won't be long and we'll be adding another anniversary to the list, as Ty Finkas, son of Lori (Pedersen) and Steve Finkas, has become engaged to Kendra Kincaid, so congratulations to the happy couple and we hope to announce the big plans for their wedding soon.

THINKING OF THEM--For those of you who are under the weather right now, we want to send our heartist get well wishes your way, so if you've just got a cold or some other bug like Karla Kyle, or you're recovering from an accident, like the Paulsens, or maybe dealing with even more serious issues, like Lesley Horman's brother Dannie, we want you to know we are thinking good thoughts on your behalf. Take care everybody, and here's to a speedy recovery for all of you!

NEW NEIGHBORS--It sounds like West Valley just got a little fuller as Nick and Becky Keithley have just moved into our little valley along with their three children. We want to welcome them to our little neighborhood. One thing they will find out real soon, is that we are colder than just about everybody else, and we freeze up faster than everybody else, as well as getting more rain, I think, than anybody else, so it will be a learning experience in dealing with adversities in this frigid valley. Nick had lived in Skamokawa earlier in his life, so he'll be used to some differences from Cathlamet or Puget Island, but not out here. It's a different world; trust me on that! Since we've moved here, eight different places have been put up and moved in to on this short stretch of road, so I'd say we're growing by leaps and bounds! With children being added back to our valley, we might even have some trick or treaters next year!

CARDS--Are you getting those Christmas cards done? If you're like me, you're taking a little longer to get them done and sent out, but that's okay, there's still time to get some made and mailed out, so I hope you'll take a little time and jot down a few lines to the folks you know would love to hear from you. Hopefully you've been able to take a few extra cards up to the Columbia View Nursing Home and spread some holiday cheer to the folks up there; they'd sure appreciate it.

Also, Robert Fritzie would probably love to hear from you, and from what I gather, he's going to be undergoing some surgery pretty soon, so he would probably really appreciate a good thought coming his way from some of his Island buddies or classmates or school chums. You can write to him at Northwest Continuum Care Center, 128 Beacon Hill Drive - Room 321-A, Longview, WA 98632. Merry Christmas Robert!

CLASS TIME--If you always wanted to learn to make your own cards, you might want to check out the new store in Cathlamet on Main Street, "Tis the Season," as they are having classes that can teach you how to make cards, gift tags, scrapbooks, etc. and if you want to devise some other kind of class, you can do that too. Give them a call at 795-8900 to find out the details or stop by.

STILL TIME--You've still got a couple of weeks to shop at Redmen Hall for that great, one of kind gift made by one of our local artisans.We hope you'll support the Friends of Skamokawa and visit during their regular hours of Thursday to Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The book selection is really excellent and we've enjoyed the ones that talk of the history of the area as the photos bring all that history to life and remind us of how things were and how tough the people of this area were, as they struggled to build homes and roads or went without many of the things we take for granted today. Just in time for the holidays is the reprint of our local artist Dory Hicks' coloring book; a truly wonderful gift idea made by a wonderful, and talented lady. The Gift Shop is wheelchair accessible from the upper parking lot, so stop on by and check out the shop and the view as well. If you're able to climb some stairs, the views from the second story and the bell tower are fantastic and make for a great photo op!

ACROSS THE CREEK--If you happen to be in Astoria between the hours of 1 to 3 p.m. on either December 11 or 18, you will be able to take your kids to see Santa at the Liberty Theater in the downtown area. There won't be any professional photographer this year to take and sell pictures of your child with Santa, but bring your camera and take your own. Many shops in the Astoria area are having extended hours during this holiday season, so if you happen to be over there, check them out.

SCROOGED--Once again, "Scrooged in Astoria" will be playing at the ASOC Playhouse at 129 West Bond Street in Uniontown Astoria behind the Pig and Pancake Restaurant, until December 19. There will be shows Thursday to Sunday with the Thursday to Saturday shows in the evening at 7:30 p.m. while the Sunday showing is at 2 p.m. The doors are open a half hour prior to the show. Tickets range in price from $8 to $15 with discounts for youth, seniors and groups. This is a family show and Santa visit during intermissions. Photos will be available. For more information and reservations, which are recommended, call 503-325-6104.