It was a fun 4-H Jamboree Event that Deb Gribskov and Shawn Deal organized last Saturday at the Wahkiakum High School. The Jamboree was attended by 4-H’ers of all ages and they made decorated cookies, delicious fudge, berry jams and created a multitude of crafts items. The kids completed all the projects by themselves with a little guidance and a tiny bit of help from the 4-H leaders and parent volunteers that attended. Even the littlest kids mashed berries, added pectin and sugar to make berry jam. These little ones worked with their parents to complete a canning project and made some delicious jam to use at home. The kids can also exhibit the jam and their craft projects at the 2012 Wahkiakum County Fair. I had a great time working with the kids at the berry jam project table and look forward to the next 4-H event. Good job Deb, Shawn and all the volunteers who helped make this a fun day for the kids and taught the kids some useful skills at the same time.

This is a reminder to the people who purchased horse gate keys for use in 2011, please give me a call or send an email if you would like to purchase a key to the arena for 2012. I will be changing the lock in the first week of January and I don’t want you to be locked out. The arena has been harrowed and is ready for horses and riders to get some saddle time in again!

Ed Stevens has been busy adding more lights and decorations to the already fabulous light show at our fairgrounds. He was given permission to add some lights to the Skamokawa Grange Building. The next day he attached pretty icicle type lights to the roof edges. The lights have been drawing a crowd of locals, they drive by each night just to see what’s new. Georgie Billings and Ed also handcrafted the two huge Christmas wreaths that are hanging on their house and the Grange. I hear rumors there are some big decorations going up just before the Skamokawa Grange and Skamokawa Fire Department prepare their free holiday dinner. Hope to see you Saturday night December 10th, 6-8 p.m., at the Skamokawa Grange. Share a delicious spaghetti dinner with your friends and neighbors, view the festive lights at the fairgrounds and I think Santa will be stopping by too!

I completed a project this week that will help keep a few more dollars in our Fair budget. First I had to count all the Fair ribbons we have, a big job, then figure out the ribbon order for the 2012 Fair. My plan is to order the ribbons we need in January. If I order them in January our ribbon supplier will take 10 percent of the total cost off of our order!

The fair office is open by appointment only. If you need to gain access to the fairgrounds contact Fair Manager Becky Ledtke @ 360-560-0371 or 1-360-795-3480 and leave a message.

The next Wahkiakum County Fair Board meeting is December 14, 7 p.m., River Street Building Meeting Room in Cathlamet. The public is always welcome to attend.