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

GETTING WARMER--We ended last week with a few showers and some cloudiness, but that was ok, as those extra high temperatures don't thrill me much anyway. However, for all those "want it hot" folks, Sunday began with clear blue skies and warm sunshine right off the bat, so I'm guessing they were mighty happy! If the forecast holds, it looks like Summer is returning this week, so keep lathered up with sun screen and enjoy!

Sadly, another child was left in a car in the heat this past week and she is struggling to survive as temperatures rose to 130 degrees in that car; so awful! We keep thinking that people would stop leaving pets and children in cars because common sense would tell you not to, but sadly and tragically, it seems to continue to happen almost daily. Needless to say, if you see a pet or child that has been left unattended in a car, call for help/authorities immediately!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from July 28-August 3 are Sheran Parker, Adam Fletcher, Levi Helms, Kyler McKinley, Natasha Twiet, Kami Helms, Jae Stewart, Aaron Mahitka, Ebby Blouin, Steve Havens, David Black, Chris Sauer, Heather Kehrli, Jacob Nelson, Robert Fritzie, Betty Huber, Jennifer Norris, Jennifer Blain Cochran, Paula Monroe Olson, Hannah Davison, 67'ers: Nancy Jacobson Brady, L.L. and yours truly, Kay Chamberlain.

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Tim and Sharon Schmitz, Gary and Jody Havens and Bill and Kay Chamberlain. Here's to happy days for all of our special days this week!

SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY--It's going to be a Happy Ten Year Anniversary for the "Inn at Crippen Creek Farm" in a couple of weeks, so we want to wish owners/operators, Don and Kitty Speranza a big Congratulations! The Inn has received rave reviews from various magazines and newspapers featuring bed and breakfasts, so they have much to be proud of for sure! If you've never treated yourself to a dinner out at the Speranza's, you've been missing out, so gather up a few of your friends or family members, or even just another couple and make a reservation for a special, unique dining experience with home grown food items and master chefs! Call 795-0585 for more information on all the details.

FRIDAY MOVIE--Don't forget the free Friday movies at the Cathlamet Community Center at 101 Main Street, on Friday evenings. This week it is a PG 13 movie. Movie times are always at 7 p.m., and of course, you can still call Sharon's Pizza and get your dinner delivered about 6:45 right there, so that's very handy! Call ahead at 795-3311 to arrange that. Check out the center for other happenings there, as they have various things going on throughout the week.

THIS WEEKEND--If you're new to the area and would like to see some great cultural events, head over KM Mountain and check out the Finnish-American Folk Festival taking place from July 29-31 at the Naselle High School. The theme this year is "My Finnish Memories." There will be plenty of things to see and do, like eat authentic foods and check out the marketplace, but I wanted to be sure and mention that the "Skamokawa Swamp Opera" will be performing on July 30 at 1:45 p.m. The weather looks good so check it all out. This event takes place every other year in Naselle so now's your chance to check it all out as it won't be there again until 2018.

FOS--The River Life Interpretive Center still has their "Rolling on the River" exhibit up at Redmen Hall, so if you haven't seen it yet, why not check that out? The gift shop is full of goodies to buy and of course, the book shelves have plenty of great books for those who want to learn more about our area, and many are written by our own local authors. For more information about special events or presentations at the hall, call 795-3007 Thursday-Sunday, noon to four.

REUNION ON SATURDAY--Jean Kenner wants me to remind all of you who are related to the Olsen, Wika and Nepsund families, that you have a family reunion going on this Saturday (July 30) at the Norse Hall on Puget Island. This is the usual potluck affair and it all begins at 11:30 a.m., so all members of these families are urged to attend. Those attending the services of Phyllis Foster Wika are urged to come over to the Norse Hall after her Celebration of Life Service.

SYMPATHIES--Also this Saturday, there will be a Celebration of Life service for Phyllis (Foster) Wika at the Heritage Bible Church on Puget Island on North Welcome Slough at 11 a.m. We send our deepest sympathies to the entire family.

Phyllis and Ozzie and their family lived down the road from where I grew up along North Welcome Slough. We were both "insiders," meaning we lived inside the dikes there, rather than outside along the slough. Back in those days, there were tons of kids along that road and everybody knew everybody else, so it was like one big family. We could go from house to house with no worries, borrow everything from sugar to tire pumps from our neighbors and we could count on one of them to let you know, "your Mom said to head home if we saw you" type moments. Phyllis' Mom, Bethenia was also a good friend of my Grandma Everest's and I'd been to her home many times when I was younger. We used to have to call Phyllis quite regularly as their big black Lab not only liked to come down to our place for a free meal, but he would often grab the heavy, black, cast iron skillet by the handle and pack it home with him; always gave everybody along the road a good chuckle to see him packing that heavy thing in his mouth! I know that everyone who knew the family has great memories of their times together and we hope they will continue to hold those dear in their hearts as they mourn their loss, yet celebrate Phyllis' life.

NEW HOURS--Just in case you missed the notice in last week's Eagle, starting August 1, the Cathlamet Pharmacy will be closed on Saturdays as well as Sunday. However they will be open a little longer during the week as their hours now are from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday-Friday. So, this Saturday, July 30, will be their last Saturday that they are open from 9 to 2.

NAT. NIGHT OUT--Remember, this coming Tuesday, Aug. 2, is National Night Out. If any person or group is having a gathering or block party to help bring their neighborhood or community together, be sure to give our Sheriff's office a call and they'll happily send out a deputy to visit your group. This is an annual event which is meant to bring members of the community together with law enforcement to build a better, safer place to live. Beau Renfro is in charge. Contact him by calling 795-3242.

LIONS CLUB--It's berry time again and this time the Lions Club is offering five different varieties of frozen berries in 10 pound boxes, so there's bound to be one just right for you! You will be able to find order forms this week in local stores and one in The Eagle on August 11, so watch for those. The prices vary but strawberries and blackberries are both $22, while marionberries are $25, blueberries are $27, and raspberries are $32; all yummy!

Also the Wahkiakum Lions Club will have the Sight and Hearing, Reading Glasses Carousal in different places for the next three months so you might want to stop by one of them in the coming months. They will be at the Helping Hands Food Bank on August 2; West End Food Pantry on Aug. 4, 11 & 18 and the Cathlamet Clothing Bank on Aug. 24 and 31. They hope to be able to be at the Rosburg Sr. Meal location and the Valley Bible Church in September but those dates are not yet secured.

BURN BAN--Don't forget, there is a burn ban in Wahkiakumn County right now, so unless you have an approved fire pit, there's no outside burning. Even in a fire pit, sparks can fly and set the dry grass on fire, so be extremely careful. For those who use charcoal when you BBQ, be careful not to dispose of those carelessly, as they too can smolder a long time, then with a bit of wind, flame up and take off. With so many areas on fire right now, it's time to be extra vigilant so that we don't become one of them.

CRK--The Columbia River Kayaking group is busy with classes and tours and if you've missed the Immersion classes this past month, there's two more coming up, so call ahead and reserve your spot for either Aug. 14 or Aug. 28. These classes give the beginner all the information needed to make your kayaking experience a good one. You can check out their website for all their tours and classes or call 360-747-1044.

BRIEF REMINDERS--I keep mentioning a couple of events, but it seems the one time I don't say anything, is the one time people check the paper and are upset that there was nothing in my column about it, so, once again: 100 year Commerative all school WHS reunion is Aug. 13 at the high school at noon; potluck/finger food; tables and chairs are there but you are welcome to bring your own as well. The Wahkiakum County Fair is taking place the following week, Aug. 18-20, so get those items ready to enter in the fair, pray for some sunshine and enjoy the three day event which has lots of entertainment, food and fun for the whole family.

OUT OF THE PAST--This week back in 1946, the weather was warm to hot with only one evening experiencing some showers. The Everests headed to the show that week as "The Dolly Sisters" was showing, which Grandma enjoyed. Grandma had gone to Astoria on "The Imperial" and spent the day shopping and got a new dress and shoes, but after a full day and the trip back, she was feeling pretty tired as it was pretty hot that day. One of those warm days was spent visiting with Mrs. Mast and beings the weather was plenty warm, Grandma opted to take the taxi home rather than walk as she usually did. That day, Wanda Flanders Quigley had a baby boy as did the Nogi Fritzies. Big news in town was that Frank Miller sold his garage to a petroleum company. Later that week, Grandma, along with friends Mary Anne and Lilly, went to Bozemans for lunch as the grange ladies were serving and raising money for fair queen candidate, Phyllis Ann Foster, later Wika.

Back in 1961 this week, it was "lovely, beautiful and hot" according to Grandma Elsie. They were still staying on Puget Island at daughter, Carol's house while she was in Alaska and enjoyed walking down to Tholo's beach. On one of those days, they were joined by Peggy Pedersen and her two little boys, Tim and Mark, Grandma's great grandsons. Kenny Soreson stopped by for coffee and brought some of Inga's baked bread with him, and then he headed off to the net house to work on nets. Some of the farmers were happy as their cucumber crops were doing great this year. Don Bacon stopped by the Pedersen house and picked up David Pedersen, as he was going to work with him at his Dad's place, Olivers' Station in Cathlamet. (Now the site of Cath. Pharmacy.) Later on that week, Don Fudge stopped by and he and David headed to Longview to the big Cowlitz Co. fair. In spite of not feeling too good, Grandma still managed to go to Grange later that week, did some ironing and canned 18 quarts of apricots, as well as all the usual things. All this according to my Grandma Elsie Everest's diaries.