Weather is perfect for indoor activities

COLD, WHITE, WET AND WINDY--Well, we found out this past week that winter is definitely still here and depending on where you were and what day it was in this past week, you were either freezing cold, or dealing with many inches of snow or you were looking at the oh so common rain drops coming down out of the sky, accompanied by a strong nippy wind, a mixed bag of weather for sure. While Kelso was getting blasted by snow, I was quite happy that we didn't get hit with their seven to eight inches of the white stuff. While there were certain areas around here in the hills that got plenty, I was sure glad that the first wave didn't hit us too hard. It seems the main part of our snow showed up late Saturday night and Sunday morning, and wound up being in the three to four inch range, so it was time to take it easy and enjoy the pretty scenery along with maybe kicking back and watching some NASCAR, or doing some baking or some work on the computer. Indoor activities suited me just fine.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating brithdays from March 3-9 are Debra Moonen Twiet, Audrey Petterson, Jessica Hoven, Mayia Exum, Ryan McNally, Micaela Sause, Sandy Wirkkala, Tyler Hoven, Jean Wallen, Evadell Beard, Ian Turner, Avery Elliott, Betsy O'Conner, Karyn McKinley, Jonas Owen, Krystal Ellison and Karalin Reynolds. Happy birthday to each and every one of you!

Happy Anniversary wishes go to Adam and Sara Fletcher, Brandon and Debbie Chamberlain, Frank and Cynda Webb, Carol and Joe Abeytala, Evadell and Jerry Beard and Arnold and Ellen Andersen. Enjoy your special days everyone!

THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT--I hate to repeat myself, but others insist I do, so here's your last reminder: the Rosburg crab and oyster feed, which benefits the Amercan Legion, Deep River Post #111, is this weekend, March 5. By the time this goes to print, I'm not sure if there are tickets left or not, but you can call Dale Rose at 360-465-2234 to find out. It's always a great feed and great fun and goes to a good cause. Doors are open at 6 p.m. Don't forget to bring all your crab eating tools and any other condiments that you might like to go with it. I'm not sure what the big prize is this year, but it's bound to a nice one, so don't forget to buy some raffle tickets while you're there.

The following Saturday is the annual crab and oyster feed over at the Norse Hall put on by the Wahkiakum Chamber and with its three seatings, you should hopefully be able to find a spot at the Norse Hall on Puget Island. Their seating times are 3:45 p.m., 5:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and they have raffle tickets available for many prizes as well and the Cathlamet Pharmacy has them on sale as well.

PAYS VISIT--Adam Pedersen, grandson of Ralph and Peggy Pedersen, stopped by their place in Cathlamet for a visit along with his dad Mark, while on a short vacation from his military duties back East, so he was a welcome sight to his grandparents. While they were here they lunched at "Sharon's Pizza and More" and thought the pizza was "first class" and coming from an area back east where there are a ton of pizza places, that was high honors. The two had come to Vancouver for the wedding of Rhonda Pedersen's nephew Clinton, and our very own Mark Pedersen performed the ceremony, which was all real nice.

REDMEN HALL--While the roads were clear, I zipped up to Redmen Hall with daughter Lisa and she took the tour around the hall, a first for her. Dory's great works of art are a real must see and if you're able, a trip to the bell tower to take in the view is really awesome. While we may take some of our treasures for granted, as seen by fresh eyes, Lisa was very impressed with all the work that had been done at the hall.

While we were there, Keith Hoofnagle, one of our newer community members and helpers at FOS, told us of the next event coming to Redmen Hall, and that was of an antique show and sale. So, if you're interested in the that sort of thing, keep watch for more details about that event, or call the hall, Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and ask for more information: 795-3007.

VISTA PARK--Kayrene Gilbertsen contacted me again and told me of more vendors taking part in the thirtieth year anniversary Vista Market being held on July 30 this year.

Don't forget, if you're a local business or organization, you only have until the end of this month to secure a space and then we'll reach outside our area to fill any necessary spots, so call Kayrene today at 360-849-4421 to get registered for this fun filled event, which sounds like there will be something for everybody. Tell your friends as well!

SKAMOKAWA GRANGE--As the new "Madam President" of the Skamokawa Grange #425, I presided over our first formal meeting of the year this past Monday evening, as we finally got the weather and the furnace to co-operate on the same day, and so we got to meet in our hall.

Earlier in the evening, we had several officers that were new to their duties, besides myself, meet up with Gene and Joan Frymire of Castle Rock, who nicely braved the weather to come and give us some one on one instructions and ideas for our various positions, and we truly appreciated having them come to talk to us.

WILDERNESS RESPONDERS--A fair sized group met recently in the area for the Wilderness First Responders training with guide, Mark Whitaker and other members of the Columbia River Kayaking team as well as their specialty instructors, who deal with the management of medical problems in isolated and extreme conditions. The group had a pretty good test of those "extreme conditions" as they managed to be here during some of our most miserable weather conditions, which included the snow, sleet, hail, rain and wind event we had this past week, so they were truly put through their paces. For more of their events to be held this year, check out their website at http://www.columbiariverkayaking.com or email Mark at mark@columbiariverkayaking.com or call 360-849-4016.

SPRING CLEANING--I have heard several people say they are doing some early "spring cleaning" so don't forget to keep your local agencies in mind when getting rid of good, used items. Call the domestic shelter or other community program to see if they'd like those items.

HAVE BOOKS?--Maybe as you go through your things, you will find some really great books that you no longer need. Well, why not donate them to the Wahkiakum Fair which is holding a book sale in the Spring? According to new fair manager, Becky Ledtke, Jean Beerbower is putting together a lot of books and would surely appreciate some more I'm sure, so leave a message at the fair office at 795-3480 and they'll get back to you if you'd like to donate something to them.

GET WELL--Here's some special get well wishes as we wish a full recovery to Miss Daisy Stensland, a lost but now found, injured blond Lab, who's recovering after a trip to the vet. Angela wanted to express her thanks to the boys who found her out in East Valley