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

WET AND WILD--We sure had a couple of days last week that were opposite of each other, as Friday was gorgeous and we were running around in shirt sleeves, while it was nothing but rain and wind on Saturday. By Sunday morning, the water was just going over the edges of West Valley road, so we're glad it let up when it did. As of this writing, many "lakes" are still visible as the ground is so saturated that it's not going anywhere too fast, so we'll hope for clearer skies this coming week as promised so that we get to see our "green" again!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating their birthdays from March 13-19 are Rick Kuljis, Azery Gribskov, Gretchen Mahitka, Connie Bassi, Colin Stewart, Lucy Bosch, Gaylene Johnson, Grace Helms-Lampitt, Kim Nettles, Randy Hoven, Carol Wegdahl, Lance Souvenir, Mariah Souvenir, Leroy Wika and Gene Healy. Happy Anniversary wishes go out to Serene Snow and Tracy Carroll, Layton and Pam Elliott and Dan and Jenny Cochran. Enjoy your special days!

GREAT TIME--In spite of high water, wind, rain, small slides and tree debris on the roadways, the lure of crab and oysters was just too strong, so the Rosburg Hall was full of folks ready to chow down on yet another great feast put on by the American Legion Deep River Post #111 and as usual, they did a great job. The big winner of the night was Blair Brady, who not only won a couple of small prizes, but he also won the coveted gun that the guys are always trying to win.Congratulations to him! First time crab feed goers, Skamokawa Store operators, Lance and Shannon Britt, wound up winning something and cousin, Gene Healy won something as well, so that worked out great for them. There were many other winners whose names I don't recall, but there were some very nice prizes, so everyone was happy to hear their names called. Good job everybody and we look forward to seeing you next year!

FOS MEETING--All members of the Friends of Skamokawa, as well as friends, are reminded to attend the annual membership meeting this Sunday, March 16 at the conference room at the Skamokawa Resort, behind the General Store, formerly the kayak center. The meeting starts at 2 p.m. and will feature speakers, entertainment and homemade pie.

MORE CRAB--Don't forget, if you missed the crab feed in Rosburg, you can head to the Norse Hall on Puget Island this weekend, and with three different seatings, (3 p.m., 5:15 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.) you're bound to be able to find a seat. You can purchase your ticket at the Cathlamet Bank of the Pacific for $30. They will have a lot of prizes available, so you'll want to be sure to buy some tickets for those as well. For you first timers, be sure to bring some utensils to crack your crab, like nut crackers and to open those oysters, like an oyster shucker or short pliers or "leatherman" tool. If you like garlic butter to dip those oysters or crab meat in, you'll need to bring that too. Proceeds go towards the Bald Eagle Days festivities so it's a worthy cause. Need more info? Call the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce at 795-9996.

APRIL FEAST--In mid-April, head to the Rosburg Hall for their famous chicken dinner that takes place from 11:30 to 2 p.m. It's always fantastic as it comes with everything, including a wide variety of salads and desserts. This event helps to keep the doors to the hall open, so we hope you'll mark that down on your calendar for April 13. It makes for a great Sunday dinner out!

HOSANNA MUSICALE--After enjoying dinner at the Rosburg Hall on April 13, you may want to stop by the Skamokawa United Methodist Chruch, as they will hold their annual Hosanna Musicale that Palm Sunday in the afternoon, so it's a good day for dinner out and entertainment as well. Randi Curtis wanted me to be sure and remind all of you musical performers, that they could use your help, and that you are welcome to come and perform that day. Whether you play the guitar, the piano or any other instrument, or just want to sing, please consider sharing your talent with others on this day. Just give Randi a call so she can get your name in the brochure for that day and beings we know there are a lot of talented folks in the area, we hope you'll sign up. Call her at 795-0628.

GO MULES--The Mule Golf team will be teeing off here today, Thursday, against North Beach and Willapa Valley, so as they begin their season, we wish them the best of luck and hope they have another great year. Other Mule sports, like fastpitch, baseball and track and field, will begin the following week. Go Mules!

TWO CORRECTIONS--I incorrectly listed a couple of names in my column recently when I thanked a couple of waitresses that worked at the Valentine Diamond Dinner in February, and so my apologies go out to Annie Sutherland and Sharyl Iblings. They did a great job and their help was certainly appreciated!

WRONG DATE--It seems the second annual Spaghetti Feed down at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park (old Rosburg School) was not this past Saturday night as listed on the community calendar, so you've still got that to look forward to on March 22. This is an all you can eat spaghetti dinner for just $10 so we hope you can head that way, as they'll not only have some good food, but they'll be having some wonderful raffle items as well. For more info and tickets call 360-465-2310 and you can stop by the Rosburg Store to buy tickets as well.

NOT HAPPENING--The Skamokawa Grangers had hoped to have a musical event in May but unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, that has been cancelled. We appreciate those who had offered to take part in this event but sometimes things just aren't meant to be. Hopefully we can get everyone together in the near future and put on a show, as I'm sure everyone would enjoy it.

VENDOR'S MARKET--What is happening for sure, is the Vendor's Market that will take place inside the Skamokawa Grange Hall on June 28 from 10 to 3. Being inside will guarantee that folks don't have to deal with rain, wind or even too much sun, so this will hopefully work out a little better for us. Having to pack tents and tables around is no fun either, so that's a plus as you won't need the tent and the grange has tables, although their numbers are limited. Now if you wanted to set up outside, we do have a small area that is available to do that, so it just depends on how brave you are, but either way, the fee is just $10 and if you'd like to take part in this, give me a call at 795-3425. This is aways a great time to do a little cheap advertising for your growing business or maybe promoting a new musical CD, or maybe you just want to have a mini rummage sale table of your own and rid yourself of that extra stuff you just don't need anymore. At any rate, no matter what you make, like jewelry, pottery, cards, etc., you can set up a table in the grange hall for a reasonable price and stay comfortable to boot! We already have a couple of commitments and the grange will be selling tickets for yet another huge, holiday gift basket, and some free things for the kids, so we hope to see you there at the end of June!

RUMMAGE SALE & MORE--On the same day, the Skamokawa United Methodist Church is having a rummage sale, so you can visit one place and then just take a quick walk across the bridge and you'll be able to check the other place out. Also, the month before, the church will be hosting a breakfast on the morning of the Wahkiakum Dollar for Scholars car show, which takes place on May 31 this year over at the fairgrounds again. It won't be long and you'll be enjoying the sights and sounds of some awesome hot rods in our area, so you won't want to miss that. Contact Lee Tischer if you want more information about that or check it all out online.

GREEN DAY--We wish you a very "Happy St. Patrick's Day," which is this coming Monday, so be sure to wear green, as you don't want to get pinched by one of those die-hard Irish folks! Also, check out the specials in your local eatery for just that occasion as I'm sure there's going to be corned beef and cabbage some place, as well as green beer, so enjoy the day!

OUT OF THE PAST--Seventy years ago this week back in 1944, the weather was nice for the first five days and then it got nasty. Marian Healy and her mother, Elsie Everest, went to the show that week: "So Proudly We Hail." A couple days later, Grandma Elsie went to the show again, as "Johnny Comes Lately" was playing on that particular Sunday. Gene Healy, son of Leon and Marian (Everest) Healy had a very nice birthday party this week. Guests included Ralph and Frank Pedersen, Jauncy Perrizo, Linda and Judy Tyrone, Dale Haughton, Darrell Sellard, Mary Doumit, Linda Peterson, Patty Lundy, Judy Wendt, Binky Head, Laddy Goodfellow, George Hanigan, Jimmy Althauser, Ralph Hepler, Margaret Fritz, Ilene Crist, David Peterson and Gene's little sister, Donna Marie. Ten years later, the weather wasn't so great with snow falling in the hills. During that time, Mr. Dyrland passed away. That week, Ralph Pedersen borrowed his Dad's car and took his Grandma Elsie for a ride along with his new girlfiriend, Peggy Austin, and a little later on in the day, he took his Mom, Carol (Everest) Pedersen along for a ride to Longview. At the end of the week, Ralph was painting his Grandma's kitchen, which she really liked as it was all "white and nice!" All this according to Grandma Elsie Everest's diaries.