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

TOASTY--As this week begins, it's feeling pretty toasty around our area with temps in the 80's, so those who had weekend plans wound up with plenty of sunshine. This was a big difference from parts of last week, where we had thunder and lightning and raindrops the size of quarters coming down in buckets; it was pretty wild! Campers in Vista Park were soaking up the sun and enjoying this great weather, while the guys working on the tide gate by the fairgrounds were happy to see some dry weather as well. The foggy mornings at the beginning of this work week are making driving a little more difficult so be sure to have those headlights on. Hope we all survive this week's heatwave and wear that sunscreen!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Sept. 12-18 are Frank Bosch, Conner Parker, Jacob Hoven, Korina Hoven, Richard Bigler, Rex Gilbertsen, Cayden Mendez, Jim Spitzer, Dick Snyder, Penny Paulsen, Gerry Brennan, Linda Elliott, Wade Cothren, Roger Reed, Samantha Pedersen, Adam Pedersen, Naomi Pedersen and Susan Peterson Shook.

Happy Anniversary wishes this week go out to Quin and Christeena Bassi, Gwen and Arve Ronninghaug, Ray and Judy Danielsen, Mr. and Mrs. Eric Bergseng, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Prestegard, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nollan and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Pedersen.

THIS IS IT--It is time for the action to begin at the auction on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Skamokawa Grange Hall, as the Friends of Skamokawa hold their annual Wine Tasting and Auction. Auctioneer Brian McClain will keep bidders rolling along as they try to outdo their neighbors for that special something they really want. We hope you're going to come down to this important fund raiser that helps keep the historic Redmen Hall going, while having a wonderful evening out as well. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and remember, advance tickets are $5 cheaper so get them today!

NEW EXHIBIT--Speaking of Redmen Hall, their newest exhibit by local artist Mike Collum of Puget Island features intricate carvings of old European styled buildings; just exquisite! His photography is also quite stunning, with a wide range of subjects from flowers to colorful buildings, the famous Eiffel Tower and more. Many of his works are for sale, so if you'd like to take advantage of purchasing some wonderful art, now's your chance. Redmen Hall is open Thurs. thru Sun. from noon to four.

GREAT START--The mighty Mules stomped on Mossyrock last Friday night, as they began their season with an impressive 41 to 14 win away; yeah Mules! The Mules face Winlock this Friday night at home and we wish them all the best as they play their first game in Mule Country at 7 p.m. On Monday, the JV team will travel to Winlock to play at 6 p.m.

MORE MULE ACTIVITIES--Our other Mules on the cross country team will be doing their thing in Onalaska next Thursday, and will be at Morton-White Pass on the 26th. The volleyball players will be playing against Naselle at home today, Sept. 12 and Onalaska next Tuesday at home as well. Here's wishing all of our teams good luck in their meets and games.

NEW GATE--Work has been progressing on the new tide gate going in by the fairgrounds park and it's drawn quite a bit of attention as folks pass by. It takes a lot of digging to get the water stopped in two directions, while getting the new gate in place and so it looked like quite the disaster there at first. However, once it is all set and ready to go, it is hoped that this improvement will keep our fairgrounds and surrounding residents from experiencing any more disasterous flooding incidients like we have had in the past.

LAST CHANCE--If you have yet to see "Shanghaied in Astoria", you've only got this evening, Friday and Saturday to see it, as this 29th season comes to an end on the 14th. The show takes place at the Astor Street Opry Company (ASOC) Playhouse at 129 West Bond Street in Uniontown, Astoria. The box office opens at 6:30, the doors open at 7 p.m. andthe show begins at 7:30....for tickets, you can go online or call 503-325-6104.

BINGO--All of you Bingo lovers have a chance to win some cash this Saturday night at the Norse Hall when the Sons of Norway puts on their monthly Bingo. You can buy some treats while you're there as well, so if you don't have anything to do, head to Puget Island Saturday evening, with doors opening at 5:30 and games beginning at 6 p.m.

PERFORMANCES--You're invited to come to the Oasis on Sept. 20, as three talented musicians, who go by the name "Blind Luck Combo," hold a CD party to promote the release of their first CD. Sunrise Fletcher is well known for his musical abilities, as is Andrew Emlen, another multi-talented individual. Jeffrey Reynolds is the third member of the group and has played in our area, and like the other two, been wonderful about helping out the Skamokawa Grangers during their Smoky Water Revues from time to time. If you don't make it to the CD party, you can head to the Pioneer Church on Sept. 28, where the trio will hold a concert with admission being $15 at 7 p.m. that Saturday.

KAYAK TOURS--This Saturday is a great time to visit the Columbia River Kayakers at their new digs at the Skamokawa Landing building on Steamboat Slough Road, as on Saturday they are having an "Introduction to Canoes" class. On that same day, there's a half day beginners tour to Price Island. On Sunday, there will be a Wildlife Refuge tour, so there's plenty going on at the kayak center this weekend, and all month long actually. You can check out their full schedule online. Local Levi Helms is this month's featured guide. The featured piece of equipment that is available this month is the "Flat Earth Kayak Sail." It allows for a kayaker to still paddle the kayak but once you get a little wind, you can scoot along at a great pace, yet this sail folds down flat against the deck and out of the way if you don't want to use it.

BIG BASKET--If you're looking for a great deal, I've got one for you; it's the holiday gift basket that is being given away by the Skamokawa Grangers. It's worth $300 and you could be the lucky winner for only a buck if we draw your ticket on Dec. 14 during our free spaghetti dinner at the hall that evening. You can even get a bargain and get six tickets for five dollars, so that's even a better deal than the one dollar each price. This basket, which is more like five bags and a basket, include a drill and flashlight combo for the man in your life, some wonderful things for the lady of the house, from kitchen stuff to perfume, and there are games for the kids, things for your tree, Christmas cards to mail out, hand-blown glass items, two gift certificates and all the items you need for making a holiday dinner, plus a two-tray buffet server to serve it up with and a blender to mix something in, plus a bottle of wine with glasses to toast the evening, plus more, so it's a great big bunch of items to win, just in time for the holiday! You can purchase tickets for this great holiday giveaway at the Skamokawa Store.

NO GRANGE--The Skamokawa Grange will not be holding their scheduled second meeting at the end of the month, so please make note that on Sept. 23, there will not be a potluck or a meeting held.