PRETTY WET--As this calendar week began, Sunday was a nice dry day, but Monday was quite soggy. From the sounds of it, most of the week is due to be wet, so I hope you've kept the boots and umbrellas handy. We can only hope the forecasters are mistaken and things turn out drier than they think they are going to be, as that would be the kind of weather error we'd like!

It sounds like snow levels are dropping as well, so if you're headed to the mountains or have to go over a pass, be sure to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. After the tragedy that happened to experienced skiers last week, it's obvious that after heavy snow falls and avalanche dangers increase, one's experience is no match against tons of snow. Our hearts go out to the families of those who were lost on Stevens and Snoqualimie Passes last weekend.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from February 23-29 are Nick Tarabochia, Darrin Dow, Allyx McKinley, Ray Danielsen, Chris Stewart, Whitney Kuller, Sally Nollan, Ursula Short and 67'er, Kathy Bond Peek. Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Terry Heagy and Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Wirkkala. Enjoy your special days everybody.

TALENT CALL--It's that time of year when we're looking for folks who can sing, dance, act or like to perform in some other way on stage, so for all you want-to-be-stars, this is your chance to show off, as the Skamokawa Grange gets set for their annual Smoky Water Follies, June 29 through July 1. Rehearsing schedules are mostly on your own time and it's only that 10 days before the show that we may really need you to put in some time polishing off the show, so it's not a real tough or lengthy schedule. If you're interested in being in this show, please call Sunrise Fletcher at 795-8770 and get included on our list. He and director Adele Baker Swift, would love to include you in this year's show. The Follies is a versatile, three day musical revue that's full of old fashioned fun, so we hope you'll agree to be in it and be part of our entertainment troupe this year and kids, this means you too!

WILLAPA HILLS--The Pioneer Church will be the place to be this Sunday afternoon, February 26, as Willapa Hills perform for you. Tickets are $10 and you'll get to hear some of their newest recordings, while enjoying some old favorites. The show starts at 2:30 p.m. but doors open at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the Bank of the Pacific and at the door, if space is still available.

THE IRISH ARE COMING--The Skamokawa Grange Hall will be bustling with the sounds of fiddlers and dancers when the Irish Music lovers of Portland and beyond descend to the area on March 2 and 3. They will hold a meeting at Duffy's Tavern in Grays River on the evening of March 2, and hold workshops during the day on March 3 at the Skamokawa Grange Hall. Instructors Betsy Branch, Teresa Baker and Vash are well known for their fiddling, piano playing and percussion talents respectively and will stay busy during the day with their various students. However, at 8:30 p.m. that Saturday, the public is invited to come and take part in their Ceili. Come and dance and hear the musicians play and have some fun with the Irish next weekend, March 3.

VENDORS MARKET--I've had some calls from folks who want to be a vendor at the Skamokawa Vista Park on July 28. We were a bit concerned about not having people at the park to enjoy this event, but have no fear, many of those folks have not changed their plans to go elsewhere and Janet Bryan, who takes all those calls for folks wanting to get into the park, assures me that there is a waiting list to get in, so any folks who did cancel their stay will be replaced by others. As I've been ill, I've not gotten together with Kayrene Gilbertsen yet to help me with the list of vendors, but please don't wait for me to call you. You can call me if you're interested and we'll get this deal cemented down as long as we get enough commitments from various vendors. It should be great fun once again! This is a great opportunity for school groups, church groups and other talented folks who'd like a casual venue to sell or promote their wares. It's a short commitment of just five hours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., so it's not too long of a day for you either. Last year everyone said the time flew by, so we hope to have you back at the park on July 28! Call me!

GET WELL--Just wanting to send out some get well wishes as I understand Robert Fritzie was going to have surgery, and Judy Marsyla was in the hospital and of course, we want to keep Hoby Thacker and Jeanne Paulsen on our mend list as they deal with their recent repairs. Plus, it seems like a lot of folks have had a bug, me included and so knowing how miserable that is, I am glad to hear that Miss Bailey McKinley is now feeling better, as is my fellow slough rat, Greg Lloyd, but it seems his wife, Cindy is dealing with it now. Gwen Good Ronninghaug, of Norway, has been sick for two weeks, so I'm sure hoping she gets better soon as that's a long time to be sick. For all those who are under the weather, we wish you all the best for a speedy recovery!

FEELING LOUSY--As I said, I've been sick for a week and if you haven't heard much from me, that's why. Just when I thought I was getting better, I took a step backwards. This is one of those times when we don't want to share what we have, as this is one mean bug, so staying home is really the best thing you can do when you're under the weather. Everyone will appreciate it! As of this Tuesday morning, I'm thinking I'm going to live after all, so truly doing nothing seems to be the best cure, that and eating lots of soup, crackers and fluids.

AT THE GAME--Pete, Katie and Tessa Sechler came down from Seattle and met with Brian and Austin Good at one of the Mule's BB games in Centralia last week. Having the bug kept me from getting to see the big win or visiting with the kids. But I did hear some of the family news via a phone call, and it was all good news. It seems Ballard HS senior, Blake Sechler has gotten a 4.0 average this semester! He and older brother, Kyle, will both be attending WSU this fall; big news for the Sechler family. Tessa Sechler has been consistently ranking high on her grade point average as well, so she's doing great in her freshmen year at Ballard High. She's also enjoyed a fabulous year on the Varsity BB team at Ballard and was given a lot of praise at a recent award ceremony for her "quarterback" attitude, and played the most minutes of any freshmen player in the entire King Co. league. Pete also said that he and oldest son, Kyle, are all signed up for the Seattle to Portland bicycle marathon in July. There will be a lot of pedaling for them as they train for this event. That is also a big day in the family, as Kyle, who is my oldest grandchild, will turn 21 that day. Wow, where did the time go?

CALL TRUDY--I understand there is a group of guys who were discussing the gas stations on the Westend of the county recently and I would urge them to give fellow writer Trudy Fredrickson a call and tell her your stories of the gas stations that you recall on that side of the hill! I am sure everyone would love to hear about them, as we are finding out, they seem to be of huge interest with the guys especially!