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

SPRING?--As this week began and we had some sunshine to enjoy. It was a sharp contrast to last week when Spring officially began and we were looking at snowflakes falling; that was a shocker! I'm so glad it was brief and we got into some nicer weather, which we are thoroughly enjoying, especially since a lot of the mid-western states are still getting hammered with snow and ice and other winter-like conditions, so we are quite fortunate I'd say.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from March 28-April 3 are Aaliyah Montgomery, Leif Carroll, Mike Carroll, Linda McClain, Vaal Gribskov, Dana McClain, Erin Parker, Judy Bates,Gordie Souvenir, Buzz Moore, Pam Emery, Bob Brons, Crystal Davis, Paul Vik, Sandy Cik, Ron Rust Sr., Karen Bell, Mikayla Bell, Jeremy Pedersen and Nathan Pedersen.

Anniversary wishes go out to Mr. and Mrs. Brian McClain and Mr. and Mrs Mike Phelan. Enjoy your special days everybody!

COMING RIGHT UP--The first "Hook the Hawg" salmon derby put on by the Wahkiakum Chamber for the benefit of the Wahkiakum High School scholarships is taking place this Friday and Saturday, March 29 and 30, so we hope all you fishermen are going to take part in this event. You can call the chamber at 795-9996 for more information or go to the Bank of the Pacific or Elochoman Slough Marina where you can buy tickets.

SONORE CHAMBER CHOIR--Also this Friday evening, if you'd like to travel over the hill to the Valley Bible Church in Rosburg, they will be featuring some fantastic music by the Sonore (So-NOR-ay) Chamber Choir at 7 p.m., and I'm told they are just a fantastic singing group. This group is from Finland and their 18 voices will be singing acappella and their harmonizing is first rate I'm told, so if you're looking for some good music to listen to this Good Friday, head to 4723 West SR4, which is between the Rosburg Store and the Deep River Bridge near the sharp corner there.

THIS SATURDAY--I hope all of you parents with little ones will head to Skamokawa Vista Park this Saturday, March 30, for the Lion's Club annual Easter Egg Hunt! The event has several age brackets but let me tell you, each group races through their section in record time so don't be late, as when they begin at 11, you'll more than likely be out of luck if you show up at 11:15, so come on down and let the little ones pick up those colored eggs and maybe they'll be a grand prize winner!

COMING SOON--There is going to be a turkey shoot on April 6, so if you're interested in taking part in that, please check out the flyers around town.

WORKSHOP--Also coming soon, is the Watercolor Workshop at the Tsuga Gallery in Cathlamet. Carol Boudreau will be the instructor at this workshop and registration for those 18 and older is a must, so please contact the gallery at 795-0725 or online at tsugagallery@yahoo.com if you're interested.

SYMPATHIES--Everyone in town is saddened by the loss of a wonderful young man, Jonathan Balch, and we send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Brittney and children, Kamryn and Austin and to the rest of his family members, which include his parents, Mike and Darlene Balch and brother Christopher. Losing someone is tough but when they are so young, it just seems even harder. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who were close to Jonathan and if you'd like to honor Jonathan, you can make a donation in his name to the Cathlamet First Aid Division, P.O. Box 142. A Celebration of Life service will be held this Saturday, March 30, at 2 p.m. at the JA Wendt Elementary School in the multi-purpose room.

We'd also like to send our sympathies to Sandie York who recently lost a close friend and to the family of Nina Watson, a long time Puget Island resident, whose services were held last week.

BANQUET--The Mule boys basketball banquet was held last Sunday evening at the JA Wendt Elementary multi-purpose room and it was no surprise that the MVP trophy for this year's basketball season went to Lars Blix. The Inspirational Trophy went to Steven Doumit. Many other awards were given out by Coaches Bill Olsen and Todd Souvenir, who were extremely proud of all their players this year, as they did an outstanding job and coming home with a third place trophy from State was very rewarding. They also announced that they were given a special scholastic award by the tournament for a team with a very high grade-point average, so that speaks volumes for the kids' work ethic in school as well as on the court. A special gift was given to the players that evening, which was a very nice, hooded red sweatshirt, and that was given to them by former WA-KI-HI alumni member, Michelle Thomas, so that was a real neat surprise indeed. Kudos were given to all the generous folks who provided meals and limos for the boys while they were over at State, so the boys didn't have to dish out a whole lot of money to cover their expenses, so that was extremely nice of all those who helped foot those bills while they were away from home. Thank you one and all! Also, at the beginning of the evening, there was a table full of food for those attending, and those in charge of the that did an awesome job of preparing a delcious chicken feast for everyone; way to go everybody!

REDMEN HALL--The Friends of Skamokawa are announcing their next big doings up at Redmen Hall, which will be coming up in the latter half of April, as Janet Cimino's Estate Art Sale will take place. This will be a fundraiser for both the Redmen Hall and Tsuga Gallery in Cathlamet. More on that at a later date.

MAY OPEN HOUSE--Columbia River Kayakers want you to put May 4 on your calendars as that is when they are going to have their all day Open House at their new location at the Skamokawa Landing, Office No. 1, at 957 Steamboat Slough, so they're not too far from their original spot at the Skamokawa Resort. There's going to be some refreshments that day along with several door prizes, so come on down and check out their new spot and the new kayaks and book a class or two. For more information and their entire calendar, just go to their website: http://www.columbiariverkayaking.com.

GATHERING IN JUNE--The friends and classmates of the late Julie Gorman Chamberlain are asked to put June 15 on their calendars as her family members will be holding a Celebration of Life gathering in her memory that day at the Skamokawa Grange Hall. The hours have yet to be set, but please feel free to spread the word around about the date and we'll notify you of the time later on.

REUNION--The Class of 1963 would like you to spread the word about their upcoming 50th class reunion which they are holding down here in Skamokawa on July 20, which coincides with the Bald Eagle Day festivities, so that will give the group something extra fun to do while they are in the area. Not to mention, it will give them a chance to see a whole lot of people that they might not usually see as well. If you are a '63 graduate, or know someone who is, they need to contact Gary Emery at 360-200-5869 or Julie Engelson McKagan 360-459-8810 for all the details and get on their list of people that will be attending. Even if you don't plan on attending, they would like to hear from you and catch up on your latest news, address, etc. to share with the class, so please contact Julie or Gary.

This is a good time to remind classmates to come back in 2016 for the big 100 year commerative all school reunion on August 13 of that year. Now is the time to spread the word; it will be a fun one for sure!

ANNUALS NEEDED--I'm wondering if anybody could help me out with some old Mule school annuals? I would love to see some from 1936 through 1939. If you happen to have any of them from those years, I'd sure love to have you give me a call and maybe I could scan a picture or two. If any of you have any pictures or information or stories of an alumni member by the name of Gerhard Ness, I'd be interested in that, too.

BINGO WRAP-UP--The Wahkiakum Fair Board held their annual Easter Bingo last Friday evening and while the group was not as large as it sometimes is, there were still many generous supporters who bought tickets for the multi-prize table and for the grand raffle prize, which was the Samsung tablet. The winner of the Red Garnet edition Samsung Tab 2 prize was Calvin Rodgers, and he was one happy camper when we gave him a call and told him he had won! Always great to hear someone get so excited over winning the big prize, so congratulations to him. A special thanks to Jason Rainey for selling the most raffle tickets, as with his help, the grand prize was in the black this year; good job! We appreciate Lance Britt and the Skamokawa Resort for helping us to sell tickets as well. Maureen Zacher-Bockius was in charge of this event, and it all went quite well with helpers Janet Bryan, Tina Vincent, Nancy Moore, Russ and Kathy Durrah, Mike and Carrie Backman, Cheryl Backman, Kayrene Gilbertsen and Bill and Kay Chamberlain. A big thank you to everyone who donated items for the bingo prize table, food items for the dinner boxes and to all those who showed up and supported this fair fundraiser. I'm sure that all those who won turkeys and hams are planning that big Easter dinner right about now. Congrats to all you lucky winners!

HAPPY DAY--May all of you have a very "Happy Easter" and may you enjoy this time however you choose to celebrate it.