ANOTHER MONTH--We're into the 8th month of the year already! We started this one off with a dandy day, as it was sunny and hot and felt like summer. Except for the night and early mornings hours; then it felt like crisp fall air was descending upon us. We'll hope we have a decent month ahead so folks can get their hay in and enjoy the many upcoming events this month.

GOT LUCKY!--I was happy that we got so lucky on Saturday to have a nice sunny day for everyone at the Skamokawa Vista Park's Vendors Market--the very first one! I don't think we could have asked for a better day. I know the vendors were happy to see the clouds burn off so people could enjoy what our locals had to offer. I heard the FFA booth sold out their burgers and hot dogs before the day was over! This market idea came about as a way to celebrate the park's 30th birthday and to showcase how many of our local folks have businesses that many may not be aware of. Many sell their items in a setting such as this, rather than an actual storefront, so we appreciated those that participated. Thanks to all those who bought something from them, as these days, we need to help support one another and local is best! A couple of our scheduled vendors had to pull out due to health or family issues, but all in all, there was quite a wide variety of things to look at and buy and folks seemed to enjoy themselves. One guy said he'd never seen the park so full of fun before--that's just what we wanted to hear!

The busiest place of the day I think, was the mini train ride provided by Ralph Keyser, for the kids. They seemed to have a ball and kept the train running all afternoon. This ride was made even cuter after the kids had their faces painted and then got towed around; they looked like escaped animals from the zoo taking a ride on the getaway train, great fun!

Our thanks to Jerry, Evan, Sunrise and Adele for playing and singing tunes throughout the day; always fun to have live music to tap your toes to. Sunrise and Adele pulled double duty as they entertained at Arnold Andersen's grand opening of the Inn at Skamokawa Landing, which I heard was well attended. Having the trolley travel to and from the marina to the landing and then to the park made an easy way to get around and folks sure enjoyed that.

At the Skamokawa Grange booth, where I sat for the day, the free signs made a big hit with the kids and adults alike, as I was passing out free pop coupons, generously donated by the Skamokawa Resort, free kites and toys donated by the Skamokawa Grange and some free coffee samples and a big basket donated by Howie's Corner & Coffeehouse. Sharrell Mooers drew the winning name for the basket, Vicki Bergseng of Puget Island. Congratulations to her! We sure give our thanks to those who donated items, as they were definitely appreciated. The little boy named Garrett, who won the Avatar kite, donated by Bill Chamberlain, was especially pumped!

A huge thank you to Kayrene Gilbertsen for holding meetings, keeping in contact with everyone and gathering their ideas to help make this a fun day. It's a big job to pull off this sort of event, so hats off to Kayrene and everyone else who worked hard to make this happen. What do you think about doing it next year? I'd love to hear your feedback!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from August 4-10 are Marsha Helms, Treasure Collupy, Jenny Benfit, Fred Hoven, Cassi Luthi, John L. McClain, Brian McClain, Danny Eaton, Monte Robinson, Amy Gorley, Mike Backman, Judy Ostling, Penny Pethoud, Bob Hendrickson, Terry Bonny, Marjorie Williams, Lisa Johnson, Jason Blain, Jennifer Pedersen, Paydn Pedersen, Jeff Nichol and 67'ers Marnee Davis and Martin Ostervold.

Celebrating their anniversaries this coming week are Rick and Theresa Kuljis, Don and Kitty Speranza, Jeff and Mary Baldwin, Doug and Sunny Manary, Janna and Steve Doumit, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hoven, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce McClain, Mackenzie and Kristen Allen, Mr. and Mrs. George Hanigan, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Schwarze and Mr. and Mrs. Rick Nelson. Happy anniversary to all of you!

WIN HALF A BEEF--The Wahkiakum Fair Foundation is holding a drawing for a half of an Angus beef. Look for their signs around town to get all the details or contact a foundation member. We all like to eat, so this sounds like a good deal to me!

ALL SCHOOL REUNION--Susan McClain Kuhn is spearheading the all-school reunion at WA-KI-HI on August 4, 2012 but would love to start meeting with those interested in forming a plan for this event, as for something this big, a year's planning is definitely in order. A morning meeting is being thought about for August 13, the place to be announced. If you want to get in on the planning of this event, contact Susan right away: sjmcq1@yahoo.com. It would be great to have a representative from each class come forward to participate. If you can't attend meetings, it's easy to keep in contact via the computer. We hope you'll be a part of what should be a fantastic day at our Alma Mater, Wahkiakum High School.

WEB-PAGE--Maria Larcher is in charge of the website for Wahkiakum High School: http://www.wahksd.k12.wa.us. There is a spot on the page that says contact them if you've got something you'd like to see on there. Maria and I had a long chat the other day as a friend of ours, who lives in New York, checked it out and he asked me why there was no picture of the high school on this high school page? It's funny how those of us who live here might not even notice something like that, but once others are looking at our school and surroundings, they indeed may want to see it. At any rate, there will soon be a picture of the high school on the page and Maria and I are teaming up to add a bit of history to it. One of the things you'll find on this site is that school starts on September 6 and that's only a little over a month away! Also, for those who will be in sports, you need to get those physicals taken. Make an appointment today!

FROZEN BERRIES--Last week I believe I incorrectly said that the berry sale currently being put on by the Lion's Club were fresh berries, but that should have been frozen not fresh. Sorry if there was any mix up. The strawberries, marionberries, raspberries and blueberries come in 10 pound containers and orders will be taken through August 20 and be available to be picked up August 27. Prices vary and you can see those in their ad/berry order form in this paper; prices range from $ 22.50 to $35. The proceeds of this sale go to help sight conservation, eye exams and scholarships offered by the Lions Club. Contact 849-4003 for more information.

GOLF--If you're a golfer, you have a couple of great tournaments coming up at Skyline Golf Course, 20 Randal Drive, Cathlamet. On August 14 there will be a Friendly Neighbors Tournament presented by the folks at Skyline. The deadline to register is August 10. Call 795-8785 for more information. There are many prizes to be had and one of them is a seven day Hawaiian vacation sponsored by the Riverview Restaurant. Wow!

On August 27 there will be a Golf Tournament to Benefit the Wahkiakum Search and Rescue Organization, with a deadline to register of August 20. Cost is $35 a player. Check-in time will be 9 a.m. There are lots of prizes involved so if you're interested in playing some golf and helping out the S & R, contact Eric Schwarze at eschwarze@deegefinancial.com or 795-3000 or Arlene Stefan at astefan@wwest.net or 360-465-2919.

MORE TO DO--Don't forget the annual Steam Meet August 12-14 at the Elochoman Marina, and our county fair August 18 - 20. The big Longboarding event will be August 26-28. If you'd like to see a little Irish dancing come to the Skamokawa Grange on August 27.

HELPERS NEEDED--Many of you helped out at the food booth at the fair when the granges ran it and we sure appreciated it. Janet Bryan will take the food booth on and she too could use a hand if you're looking to help out for a few hours. You can contact me and I'll pass your name along or call Janet at Vista Park. Whether you do some dishes, take some orders or chop some lettuce, I bet there's a spot for you!

NEXT GRANGE MEETINGS--Skamokawa Grange #425 will meet Monday and again on August 22 at the Skamokawa Grange Hall at 7 p.m. The Grays River Grange will meet August 9 and 23.

SYMPATHIES--Several families have recently lost loved ones and we offer our deepest sympathies to the families of Faye Peterson, Joe Vanderwood and Doug Fleming Sr. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.