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

MONTH'S END--This month is about to end; how is that possible? It seems it just started! I can't tell you how alarmed I am by the seemingly furious pace as to which the days are flying by. It won't be long and the kids will be out of school and summer will be in full swing!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from April 26-May 2 are Debbie McClain, Kelly McClain, Shannon McClain, Connie Luthi, Ricky Montgomery, Sweet Pea Snow, Robert Meyer, Anita Hoven, Wolfgang Hoven, Carol Danker, Jennifer Emery, Wally Wright, Stan Woody Jr., Marcia Moody, Mary Vik, Scott Holland, Max Scudder, Aaron Bernard, and 67'er Dennis Havens. Here's to happy, happy birthdays for one and all.

Happy anniversary wishes to Mr. and Mrs. John Lindsey, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Freeman, Carol and Erval Cooper and Robert and Melody Blain. Enjoy!

GALLERY SHOWING--The Tsuga Gallery in Cathlamet is currently showing the artwork of Pearle Burns through April 30. Many of our local artists have been showcased at this gallery and they all have very unique talents. We hope you're taking advantage of having such a nicely remodeled place to have their artistry displayed, by going in, looking around and hopefully purchasing some of these works of art.

NEW THINGS--The picnic tables at Skamokawa Vista Park have gotten a fresh new look thanks to Bill Chamberlain, as he recently replaced the old, rotten boards with new ones. After the bolts sat outside in the rain for so long, most of them had to be removed by a cutting torch, so it was quite a process to get them undone and put back together again. Somebody will be doing the finishing touches on them, but at least the tables will be all new by the time the busy season starts at the park.

Also new, will be the bleachers at the fairgrounds and with the new pad and the two sets of bleachers in front of the new mini-stage, it's going to be much nicer for everyone. With new things at our park, our fairgrounds, and a couple of businesses getting restarted, we're going great guns down here in our little hamlet called Skamokawa and we couldn't be more proud!

MAY DAY--The first day of May usually brings bouquets of flowers, put there by the flower elves, and May Pole dancers. Of course, that was way back when, so I'm not sure you'll experience either of the above, but I hope you get some surprise flowers from someone on May 1! I do know one person who will be very happy that day, and that will be the winner of the Mother's Day Raffle, put on by the Wahkiakum Fair Foundation. They will draw the lucky winner that evening at their usual meeting. I know you're going to love that dinner at Parker's Steakhouse!

PHOTO OP--May 1 is also the day that you are being encouraged to take part in the "A Day in the Life of Wahkiakum and Naselle" contest. Check out The Eagle for a form and all the rules. Photos must be taken on May 1 in this county, so here's to all of you photo hounds. Happy snapping!

NEW SEASON BEGINS--Don't forget that starting in May, on Fridays, the Two Islands Farm Market will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. We hope you'll head to Puget Island to check it out. Always a great array of things.

VERY IMPORTANT MEETING--Port District 2 is having a very important meeting on May 2 at the Skamokawa Grange Hall at 6 p.m. Dinner is included. This meeting is to discuss the dredging of the streams that enter the Columbia River that are currently clogged with silt. Not only is this making navigation by boats extremely dangerous and almost impossible, it also prevents waters from the streams to flow into the river, which can back up and potentially cause more flooding in our area. We need as many people as possible to attend this meeting. It involves the Elochoman, Grays River and Skamokawa Creek areas. There are many folks impacted by this, so please plan on attending. It would be appreciated if folks RSVP'd Vista Park, at 795-8605 if they plan on attending, in order to get a head count for dinner but it's not a must.

MUSEUM OPENS--The Wahkiakum County Historical Society reminds you that their new season opens May 5 at the museum in Cathlamet. Several changes and improvements have occurred recently and Kari Kandoll has been making a ton of improvements to the signs and the arrangements of exhibits, so we hope you'll go down and check them out. Volunteers are always needed. You can volunteer one Saturday or Sunday a month, and that would certainly be helpful, and if you'd like to help by adding to the new building fund, you can send a donation to the Wahkiakum County Historical Society at P.O. Box 541, Cathlamet 98612. Any help would be deeply appreciated.

SPECIAL CELEBRATION--There will be a wonderful birthday celebration for one of our county's great contributors so we hope you'll go and wish Carlton Appelo a very happy 90th birthday on May 12 at the Appelo Archives Center in Naselle. The gathering will take place from noon to 4 p.m.

TEA TIME--If you can't make it over the hill that day, maybe you'd like to go and enjoy the Syttende Mai Tea at the Norse Hall that day. More on that to come but you might want to put it on your calendars now.

MID MAY--The annual Great White Tail Fun Run around the Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge will take place on May 19. You may take part in either the 10K, 5K or two mile runs. It's hard to believe that it is in its 28th year! This event is a fund raiser for the 4-H program here and will benefit the Wahkiakum chapter. In order to guarantee a T-shirt, you need to get your registration in by May 2. Registration is at Skamokawa Vista Park. For more info you can call 360-465-2275 or 795-3278.

4-H OPPORTUNITY--The local 4-H video club has been busy making new films. Their Wahkiakum 4-H After School Youth Mobilization co-ordinator, Lisa Frink, says they are always looking for new members, so if you know a middle school or high school student that has an interest in film, this would be just the thing for them. Call Lisa to find out more about this program--360- 560-3579 and check out their work at http://www.youtube.com/4hwahkiakum.

GETTING CLOSER--The Dollars for Scholars Car Show and Sturgeon Derby combo are not that far off, as June 2 will be here before you know it. We appreciate all those that have donated for this big event and if you would like to donate something, please contact me or Lee Tischer (369-430-4377) and we'll be happy to add your name to the list of contributors. All those that donate $200 in either cash or gifts, or a combo of both, get their name on the T-shirt. That's really a reasonable advertising cost for a business over such a wide and varied area, as these car folks come from all over the place. There's music, great food, a trout pond for the kids and lots of prizes to be won, so don't miss it!.