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

PARTLY DECENT--Last weekend's weather was a mixed bag, as it was super wet and windy on Saturday down our way, while Sunday was actually pretty nice; at least until later in the day. We saw the sunshine at least and it wasn't dumping all day, so it was a huge improvement over Saturday for sure. Of course, a little further east, there was some windy conditions but the rain was much lighter than here at home, so it depended on where you were as to how nasty it was and sadly, we always seem to get the brunt of any coastal storms here in West Valley compared to our neighbors in Cathlamet. Monday morning saw solid foggy conditions out here but clear later. Rain is due for the rest of the week so I hope you have your boots and raincoats handy!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Nov. 12-18 are Ashley N. Helms, Rory Heywood, Tanner Collupy, Jody Havens, Brian Havens, Samantha Havens, Ty Briscoe, Patty Ohrberg, Virgil Cothren, Kurren Hoven, Andrew Prestegard, Misty Holland, Hap Anderson, Heidi Souvenir, Linda Ashe, Brandi Seaberg, Dean Seaberg, Roberta Trotter, Zachary Stewart, Katie Watson, Jim Price, Kylian Cochran, Denise Fuller, Chris Bernard, Luann Davison and Erik Pedersen.

Celebrating their anniversaries this week are Roy and Cathy LaBerge and Mr. and Mrs. Danny Ashe. Here's hoping you all have wonderful celebrations on your special days this coming week!

67'ers GATHERING--For those class members that are in the area, or able to travel to the Longview/Kelso area, we want to remind you of the WA-KI-HI Class of 1967 gathering for a lunch/gabfest at Yan's Chinese Restaurant in Kelso, 300 Long Ave, this Saturday at 1 p.m. This no host gathering will take place in their meeting room off to the right as you come into the restaurant area, and beings this is on a Saturday for a change, we hope that those who are still working, will be able to make it.

The class has had mulitple luncheons together over the past year, and they're always great fun, as some get to tell us of their recent travels, while others share stories of their families or their upcoming plans and it's just a fun way to keep in touch. The last time we got together was at the big camp out in September at Skamokawa Vista Park and that was really great. As the holiday season will soon be upon us, we know that we'll all be kicking things into high gear and will be very busy, so we'll probably be meeting up this Saturday for the last time this year. Further winter luncheons will be dependent on weather conditions.

FOOD DRIVE--This Saturday also marks the annual Lions Club food drive that they hold in order to help with the upcoming holiday season and all the extra things that folks may need to help them enjoy a nice holiday dinner. Besides the usual things, it would be nice to have those extra things that one might need and use for that time, like boxes of stuffing, puddings or pumpkin pie filling, etc., as while the usual things are still needed, these holiday food items might be nice to add to your bag or box of items to donate. Get your items ready on Friday night and have them ready to hand out to those Lions Club collectors on Saturday. Your help is truly appreciated by our local food banks.

BINGO TIME--This Saturday evening, Nov. 14, it's time to head to the Norse Hall on Puget Island and enjoy some friendly competition amongst your friends and neighbors for those cash prizes that the Sons of Norway members will be passing out to the winners of their Bingo games. It's always a fun time to gather and do a little gabbing and maybe you'd even like to do a little buying of some tasty Norweign treats while you're there! Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the games begin at 6 p.m.

LEFSE--Speaking of the Norse Hall, last Friday and Saturday saw many of the Sons of Norway members and others, gathered for their annual lefse making and selling event. Sons of Norway, Lodge Helgeland 2-30 President, Jan Silvestri was joined by Jean Kenner, her daughter Susan Brown, Virginia Ostling, Gene and Karen Healy, Maureen Zacher-Bockius, Sue Bussone, Kay Chamberlain, Cheryl Nelson, Vicki Reid and several others who stopped by to learn how to roll out and cook the lefse rounds. Of course, there were also other Norwegian goodies made and sold that day, but their names are so long, they don't put them all on the signs, but trust me, all these buttery, sugary treats are made every year and they appreciate all those who stopped to help as well as those who came by to purchase them. We hope you got to buy some of them, but if you missed the event, then give Jan a call and she can get you fixed up with some. Call 795-8759. If you're having a special party it's possible that she can make some lefse for it, but she gets pretty busy, so be sure to call well ahead of time to see if it's possible. A big thank you for supporting the Sons of Norway and keeping this wonderful, historic building, with its rich Norwegian heritage, up and running!

Mark down "lefse making and selling" on your 2016 calendars now, as the first Friday and Saturday of November is when this takes place every year at the Norse Hall.

THIS SUNDAY, WESTEND--If you like music and you're wanting to listen to a couple of pros, then head over to the Valley Bible Church at 4723 W SR 4 (near the sharp corner before Deep River), as "Pekka and Perrtu" will perform on the accordian and violin for you. The Finnish American Folk Festival of Naselle is sponsoring this international duo, so you're invited to hear them play this Sunday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. There is no admission fee but donations are welcomed. Refreshments will be provided as well.

COMING SOON--You're more than welcome to come to Redmen Hall anytime to check out their great array of gift items, but starting Nov. 27, their annual Holiday Open House begins and there will be more items to choose from as arts and crafts makers will offer a wide array of specialty items to purchase. For a special treat, local author, Robert M. Pyle will be there to read from his new book on Sunday, Nov. 29 and I'm sure he'll be happy to sign a copy for you as well, so if you haven't met him before, now's your chance! The annual holiday doings will last from Nov. 27-Dec. 13, with the hall open Thursdays through Sundays from noon to four. Call 795-3007 with any questions, or if you'd like to be one of the arts and crafts vendors, call them right away!

SPECIAL CALENDARS--If you bought one of the special desk calendars last year which were produced by artists, Judy Vandermaten and Mike Rees, you'll surely want to buy one or more again this year. These are just wonderful calendars, with a dozen photos of different parts of Wahkiakum County. This talented twosome will sell these desk top calendars for just $9 again this year at Tsuga Gallery in Cathlamet and Redmen Hall in Skamokawa. Just like last year, they will donate a portion of the proceeds to both the Hall and the Gallery. They sold out last year in record time, so be sure to pick up yours early; they make terrific gifts!

COSTUME WINNERS--Halloween is always a fun time and when you add the music of the "King Brothers" to that, you know it's going to be a good time. The Duck Inn's Halloween bash was a big hit, with some great costumes, which resulted in some great prizes. The winners of the two tablets that were given away that night were Jacob (Jake) Collins as a safari guy and Rochelle Cothren was the most popular witch in the crowd!

MORE WINNERS--There were three age categories for those who went to the fairgrounds festivities all dressed during Halloween and those costume winners were: Up to four years old: Jenya Peek; in the 5 to 9 group: Audrey Morton and in the 10 to 14 year bracket, it was Arwynn Haney who won, so congratulations to them.

LAST CHANCE--As we can see, the days are clicking right by and for one lucky person, the time is drawing near to be a "reel" winner, as next Thursday, Nov. 19, the chance to buy a raffle ticket for the Seahawk fishing pole with a reel, will come to an end, and the winner will be drawn Nov. 20. So, if you're down at Appelo's Archives or the cafe this coming week, you'd better buy your $5 ticket (or tickets), as there's only a week left to do so. This rod was made by local Fred Hoven and donated to the Archives center for this fund raising event. Kudos to him! Also, Englund Marine of Astoria donated the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur reel to make it ready for fishing so that was really nice of them as well.

MUSIC COMING SOON--The Skamokawa Swamp Opera will showcase their talents on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at The Loft at Little Island Creamery on Puget Island, so it is hoped that you'll come and enjoy their performance as they are a very talented group. Tickets are available at the Bank of the Pacific and are $10 each but for those under 18 they are free. Members of the group are Andrew Emlen, with Kyleen Austin, Jillian Raye and Erik Friend. Any questions? Call 849-9091.

HOLIDAY GUESTS?--Are you planning a big shindig for the holidays but you don't have enough room to house them all? Don't forget that we have some terrific places to stay around here, so be sure to check them out and give those out-of-towners our local options when thinking of a place to stay.

OUT OF THE PAST--This week in 1950, the 12th was a Sunday and it was a beautiful day. However, the next day was foggy and it began to get quite cold. Not surprising, by noon on Nov. 14, it was snowing real good out "at camp" and in Portland as well. By the next day, there was plenty of snow in the hills but it had warmed enough at lower levels to only be rain and make a slushy mess. There were pickets at the local phone installations which meant toll services were put on an emergency basis and all other local calls were delayed. Luckily the strike was short lived and all was back to normal by the 19th. That week, Miss Corliss Senia Sotka of Rosburg, wed Joseph Edward Florek of Cathlamet at the Naselle Lutheran Church. The picture of the couple in the paper was a sweet one of him holding her hand and both of them looking down at their wedding bands. In the Grays River area, a wedding reception was held in the Grays River Grange Hall for Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fauver with a three tiered wedding cake served by Mrs. Harold Haatiaja. Later that evening, Mr. Grunstad from Skamokawa provided the music to end the evening with some dancing. The Eagle reported that the Republicans were voted into four major Wahkiakum offices by a large margin that week. Editor Al Phelps said that now that the selections had been made, "it was time to join hands in unity" and those chosen should "dedicate themselves to the service for which they asked the privilege of giving"....a good concept indeed. All this according to Grandma Elsie Everest's 1950 diary.