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

BRRR--As I begin this column, we've got snow mixed with rain and temps in the 30s so it's definitely much colder than the end of last week. At least when we see snow falling, we know it's cold and don't get fooled into thinking it's nicer than it really is. As I wrap up this week's column, the snow is really coming down but with a little luck, by the time you read this, the snow will be over and done with for the year!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from March 15-21 are Connie Bassi, Lucy Bosch, Randy Hoven, Pat Kehrli, Carol Wegdahl, Leroy Wika, Wade Parker, Lance Souvenir, Mariah Souvenir, Cathy LaBerge, Katie Turgeon, Gaylene Johnson, Mathew Kyle and Gene Healy. Belated birthday wishes to Gladys Mace whose birthday got left off my list last week. Those celebrating anniversaries are the Jim McCoys, the Bill Olsens and Dan and Jenny Cochran. Enjoy your anniversary celebrations!

NEW ANNIVERSARY--We'll be adding another couple to our anniversary list after the wedding of Jake and Hayden Schillios last Saturday at the Inn at Skamokawa Landing. The Inn made a wonderful setting and the family had a fantastic time in Arnold Andersen's wonderfully remodeled historic building with its stunning river view. We send a hearty congratulations to the newlyweds as they begin their life together after a honeymoon on the Oregon coast.

THIS SATURDAY--It's time to put on the green as St. Patrick's Day is this weekend and what better way to celebrate it than to head to the Norse Hall on Saturday for a dinner of corned beef and cabbage! Dinner starts at 5 p.m. and the cost is $10. Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody. Remember to wear some green or you're likely to get pinched!

SYMPATHIES--Our sympathies are extended to the family of Norman Lloyd who passed away March 6 in Eugene, Ore., just short of his 84th birthday in June. Norm came to Puget Island with his folks from Denver, Colo., and after serving in the Army, he came back to Cathlamet and married Roy and Janis Johnson's daughter "Scotty" Johnson, elder sister of Ellen Johnson (Cothren) and Chuckie Johnson (Madiman) and they had four children before divorcing. Later on, he remarried and had two other children. One of Norm's brothers was my fellow buddy on Puget Island and also classmate, Greg Lloyd. While I remembered his siblings Danny and Sharon, Greg tells me that he had seven older brothers and sisters that I didn't know. He says that it's tough to be the youngest and have to experience the loss of your older siblings. Our sincere condolences to Greg and all his family.

INJURY--We send our get better soon wishes to Sandra Gibson, who took a tumble and badly damaged her ankle. She's sporting a cast and crutches right now, which is never fun. It's even less fun when you're traveling around and expecting to enjoy the sites but wind up in an ambulance instead. Here's hoping you heal up real fast, Sandy!

MUSEUM--The Wahkiakum Historical Society has their own e-mail address thanks to curator Kari Kandoll, so if you need some information or have other questions pertaining to museum business you can send an e-mail to wahkiakumhistory@gmail.com and Kari will get back to you. The museum is due to open in May, but before that happens, Kari is trying to spruce the place up and could really use volunteers to help her out with some projects on either Thursday or Friday afternoons. If you have some time and don't mind doing a little painting, etc., please give Kari a call at 849-4353 and see when she needs you or use the above e-mail address to let her know you're available. Keep in mind that volunteers will be needed to man the museum once it opens, so hope you'll be able to spare some time doing that if you're not the paint and fix-it type!

NEW BUSINESS--It was great to see former county resident, Kari Good Claussen on the front page of The Daily News' Area News last Monday. She's opening the Secret Garden once again, only in Longview this time. We wish her all the very best in her latest venture and we can't wait to stop by and see her new store.

SPECIAL FOLLIES PRICE--It's going to be family-friendly Friday on June 29 at the Skamokawa Grange Hall during the upcoming Smoky Water Follies where, for that one night only, you can get a family ticket for just $20. This is a great deal, as tickets are usually $10 each, but because we want the kids to come with their parents to see this fun show, we are making this special offer on Friday night only.

The show is one of two evening shows, with a matinee being performed on July 1. I am happy to say that Tanner Collupy has agreed to join us again this year, as have many of our other wonderful acts. We'd like to invite you to join the fun, so contact Sunrise Fletcher (795-8770) and get on the list of performers. It's easy, it's fun and your family would love to see you on stage!

FIRST EVER--The Wahkiakum County's Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue group will hold their first ever Golf Tournament Benefit on June 10 at Skyline Golf Course. They are looking for sponsors and donations. Those donating goods or money upward of $50 will be recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation and if you donate more than $100 of goods or money, a Tee marker with your name or business will be on the Tee box. Deputy Bill Tawater is the SAR Coordinator and Officer Vern Barton is his assistant. You can contact them for all the details, at 795-3242.

VISTA VENDOR'S MARKET--The form for the second vendors' market at Skamokawa Vista Park will be available this week at the park office. This event is being put together by the Skamokawa Grangers this year and includes a $10 fee. The deadline to register for this event is April 30, and as long as there are enough vendors to make it worthwhile, will be held on July 28. You can contact me personally or go to the park to get your form. Hope to hear from you soon!

REUNION--The latest "All School Reunion" meeting was scarcely attended and some more kinks in the planned site have come to light, so I'm holding off on saying a whole lot about this event scheduled for August 4 until we get some things ironed out.

Keep informed by checking out the Facebook page (Mule Train All School Reunion) and alumni.com or you can contact Susan Kuhn at sjmcq1@yahoo.com for more information. Currently we have set a $20 per person fee with T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies available. We'd like to get a pre-order turned in, so keep that in mind and hopefully we'll have some issues sorted out and give you more definite info on the whole event next week.

OUT OF THE PAST--I've gotten a bit more information on a couple of things we've mentioned in this column regarding gas stations and the old cheese factory that were on Puget Island thanks to Hans Fluckiger and Russ Durrah. Hans tell me he knows the cheese factory, which was located where the Puget Island Fire Department is now, was still up and running in 1937, because that was the reason they moved here. His dad, Hans was hired on as a cheese maker in the factory. If you're like me, I only knew him as one of our sheriffs! We also know it was still running in 1939 as the Puget Island bridge dedication pamphlet mentions this co-op, stating that the many dairy products were transported to the mainland for processing. Does anybody know when this cheese factory closed? This land was owned by G. W. Bryan, who also took over and bought out the Bowman Store. Years later, after the cheese factory closed, the Fire Dept. bought the old cheese factory site from him in 1958 and built their station.

I received, on loan, from Russ Durrah, the August 26-27 Golden Jubilee Souvenir Program from the Cathlamet-Puget Island Bridge Dedication and Pioneer Picnic event held in 1939 and it had a wealth of information in it, some of which I mentioned above. It had an ad from Jack's Place, boasting that it was a confectionery and tavern and had cabins. One ad mentions the Puget Island Service Station providing gas, oil and tires, with owner August C. Allan. Miller's Garage in Cathlamet boldly announces its Chevrolet Sales and Service. Bowman's ad states that it is a local IGA store on Puget Island, just phone 5-W-1 for all your grocery needs! Bud's Auto Service could be reached by dialing "84" and Snyder's Service Station, providing Standard Oil products, Dupont Explosives, Atlas Tires and Batteries and presto-logs could be reached by dialing 34-J. The Oak Point Store, serving Richfield Gas and Oil lists G. W. Bryan as its owner in 1939. Joe's Cafe and Tavern does not list an owner; any clues to who had this business? Lee's Coffee Shoppe was located in the Hotel Cathlamet Building owned by Hjalmar Johnson but doesn't list the operator of that place. Do you know who Lee was? The one ad that most surprised me was that of Safeway, listing Cathlamet as its place of business. Really? Where was that located?

The Golden Jubliee winners were Miss Wahkiakum, Elsie Hill, Miss Puget Island was Frances Woods and Miss Cathlamet was Leona Doumit. The GJ quartette was comprised of Miss Jacqueline Doumit, Geraldine Doumit, Helen Marie Doumit and Miss Elizabeth Goodfellow. They composed and sang the theme song for the event.

Thanks, Russ for the loan of the pamphlet; great history here, and it's wonderful to see so many people come together to pull off this truly huge event way back when.