The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Holiday season coming to Cathlamet Nov. 26

Holiday season in Cathlamet will begin November 26, with the Chamber of Commerce's "Festival of Trees" at the Bank of the Pacific.

The event will showcase decorated Christmas trees and wreaths of various sizes and themes. Designers are welcome to enter and have a chance to win a prize determined by the most votes in each category. Silent auction bids will determine the winner of each entry to be taken home after December 15. Entry forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce, Bank of the Pacific or http://www.wahkiakumchamber.com.

A "Walk Down Christmas Lane," starting at 3 p.m., features an opportunity to shop local and win prizes. Local businesses will have a festive treat and stamp your Christmas Lane card resulting in the chance to win a prize.

At 5 p.m., it will be time to gather around the court house for caroling, the lighting of the Christmas Tree lights and the arrival of Santa by fire truck. For more information on these events, contact Lynda Gerlach at the chamber at 795-9996.

PCA plans fall concert

Pioneer Community Association has plans for a Fall Concert on November 19.

Andrew Emlen is assembling a group of musicians to present a concert similar to last spring. Look for more information in next week's Eagle for time and ticket price.

New exhibit features Alan Rose paintings

The paintings of Portland artist Alan Rose will be featured in a new exhibit at The Art Gallery, Lower Columbia College. The public is invited to a free opening reception today (Thursday) from 4 until 6 p.m. The exhibit continues weekdays through December 13.

For more information about The Art Gallery, Rose, and other exhibits, go to lowercolumbia.edu/gallery. The Gallery, located in the Rose Center for the Arts, 15th Avenue and Washington Way in Longview, is open Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The college will be closed November 11, 24 and 25.

All events are free and open to the public.

Mule wrestling set to start

Mule wrestling will begin on November 14.

A parents meeting will be held that day at 5:30 p.m. in the wrestling room at Wahkiakum High School. For more information, call coach Matt Stacey at 560-4043.

Local author Durrah

publishes second book

Local author Jolan Durrah has published her second book, An Obsession Called Pheasant: The True Story of a Pursuit of the Elusive.

Following on from her first book, it tells the story of Dan, who became enchanted with pheasants as a child and his passion for the birds only increased as he grew older leading him to jobs with affluent breeders throughout the United States.

Durrah’s first book, Adventure in Borneo, received nine awards. An Obsession Called Pheasant was recently awarded Finalist in the Animals/Pets: Novelty category of The USA “Best Books 2011” Awards sponsored by USA Book News. Both books can be purchased at Redmen Hall in Skamokawa, Adelaide’s Books in Ocean Park, The Brit’s Bookshop, and Copies Today SpeedyLitho in Longview, Angler’s Workshop in Woodland; Lucy’s Books in Astoria, and Daedalus Books in Portland, Ore.

For more information visit https://sites.google.com/site/adventureinborneo/.

To order directly from the publisher call (360) 795-3694 or email: adventureinborneo@gmail.com.

St. James cookbook has new recipes, memories

St. James Episcopal Church is releasing an expanded new version of a cookbook first published in 1995. The original book focused on Christmas with recipes and anecdotes; this version has been expanded with new sections and a wider variety of recipes including some from the St. James' annual English tea.

Local historian Irene Martin has also added stories and notes about the local area, most connecting to food.

The first copies will be on sale at the St. James Holiday Bazaar on November 18-19 for $10 each and after that may be purchased from church members, or from the desk at the St. James Family Center, which will receive the profits.

Stars program spreads

a little Christmas spirit

The annual Stars Program which aims to give help to families with children under 17 who are experiencing difficulties at Christmas time, will begin soon.

Anyone wishing to take part can pick up a star with the name, age and Christmas wishes of a local child at the Bank of the Pacific, the Bank of America or PJ's Restaurant in Cathlamet or at the Rosburg Store. Donors can purchase one or more of the requested gifts which may be wrapped and returned to the place where the star was picked up by December 16. The gifts will be distributed on December 21-22.

Unwrapped gifts may also be donated as filler presents and money may be donated at either of the above banks or sent to Mary Watkins, 60 Douglas Street, Cathlamet, WA 98612.

For more information, contact Watkins at 795-3341, Janelle Kerstetter at the Sheriff's Office at 795-3243 or Jackie Johns at Health and Human Services, 795-8630.