WILD END/BEGINNING--This past Saturday morning our Summer ended wet, wild and windy, as it just poured out here in West Valley and blew a ton of leaves everywhere. While Fall officially came in that afternoon, my calendar said Fall began on Sunday, but that's only because it was the first "full" day, so that's why there was a bit of a difference in announcing the "First Day of Fall" in last week's column. At any rate, by Saturday afternoon, after a brief amount of dryness, we were definitely more soggy than sunny, so for those who like the "automatic watering system," then it was your kind of day! Nicer weather showed up on Sunday and Monday and it's in the forecast for the rest of the week, so we'll see if we get that "Indian Summer" that everyone seems to enjoy.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Sept. 27-Oct. 3 are Matthew Keilwitz, Stevan Morgain, Blake Anderson, Stewart Moonen, David Blalock, Ginger Schmitz, Sara Jester, Marie West, Evelyn Clark, Tony Silva, Becky Keithley, Sue Kuller, Ron Leingang, Kevin Weaver, Carl Linquist, Mary Wingate and Karen Healy.

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Tom Bosch, Mr. and Mrs. John Hoven, Mr. and Mrs. Erik Grasseth, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Bardsley, Mr. and Mrs. Terry Cleveland, Mr. and Mrs. Scott McClain and Linda and Larry Spieth. Happy Anniversary to each and every one of these couples.

I'm sending belated anniversary wishes to Ron and Joanne Pedersen who recently celebrated 63 years of marriage. Congratulations to them!

ADDITION--As of this last Saturday, Sept. 22, we've got another anniversary to add to our list, as Kari Schillios, daughter of Susan Nollan Schillios, married Sam England in a beautiful wedding surrounded by family and friends at the Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop, WA. Congratulations to Kari and Sam and to the families of these two, as they get to add another member to their family tree.

As a side note, Kari's Aunt Katie, just happens to be my daughter-in-law, so naturally, the entire Pete Sechler family was there to join in celebrating the happy couple's nuptials, and enjoyed a stay at a house on the lake while they were there for several days as well.

FREE MOVIE--The community center in Cathlamet will show a youth fantasy/drama movie this Friday night beginning at 7 p.m., and it is rated PG. As always, the movie and popcorn are free! The center is located at 101 Main Street.

GOOD NEWS--Johnny Peterson, 1966 WHS Alumni, has now improved from his previous induced coma state, and now in Portland. He was moved at the end of last week and you can send a card to him there, so just address it to John Peterson - Vibra Specialty Hospital - 10300 NE Hancock St. Room #205 - Portland, OR 97220. Kudos to all of you who kept him in your thoughts and prayers and here's hoping you will continue to do so. I hope you will take the time to send him a quick note and let him know you're thinking of him and wishing him a full recovery.

ALSO BETTER--I heard from fellow classmate Sharon Stout Servis and we were happy to hear that she is doing better after a fall she took recently. Also, Gwen Good Ronninghaug is out of the hospital and while she's not feeling totally chipper, she will hopefully be back to 100 percent real soon.

MULES--The Mules football team will host Mossyrock this Friday night for their Homecoming game, so we hope it turns out to be a happy one. The game will start at 6 p.m., so Go Mules Go! The Lady Mules will be at home and playing their volleyball sets against Toledo with both the JV and Varsity playing, and all that action begins at 5 p.m. The next Mules Cross Country event will take place on Oct. 2 in Toutle Lake. Here's wishing the best for all our Mule teams!

CLASSMATES MEET--Speaking of Mules, several Mule Alumni from the Class of 1970 recently held a little reunion, and met at the home of their classmate, Judy Marsyla. Others that attended were Loretta Holland Uhrling, Joyce Lindwall Loomis, Marsha McNally Souvenir, Becky Gorman Nyberg, Jim Rice, Ron Quigley, Carl Linquist and Steve McClain. From the sound of things, they had a very nice time visiting and catching up on each others lives.

INTRO--While we're on the topic of alumni, former resident and WHS graduate and awesome singer, Laurie Miller, recently had the honor of singing the National Anthem at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup. Each year it seems Laurie gets chosen to be one of those who gets to sing prior to a big name act, and this year, she opened up for none other than country western star, Toby Keith! Again, congratulations to her for being entrusted with this honor and for once again, giving a stellar performance.

MORE TALENT--We seem to have an array of talented folks in our area and from our area, and that goes for yet another former WHS Alumni, as John Brockmueller will be here in Skamokawa this weekend with his band. So, here's to yet another great singer, as well as guitar player, from our county, and we hope you can come down and say hello to him and his group and join in the fun this Saturday night!

SURPRISE!--Some of us in the West Valley area aren't too surprised by what we find in our yards, but neighbor, Mike McLaughlin hasn't been around here as long as the rest of us, so when he went around to his back yard and found a bear in it, he was definitely taken by surprise! It was his very first live bear sighting and close encounter. With the ripening of fruit trees, like the many apple trees around the neighborhood, it's little wonder that the "snack bandit" is here and there and ready to munch on the abundant fruit. Knowing this, it's always wise to make plenty of racket when heading out to your orchards, gardens or outer pastures this time of year which should give your uninvited guest time to scram before you become close friends!

SKAMOKAWA GRANGE--The Skamokawa Grange #425 has some fresh new paint on the front door thanks to Jerry Ledtke, so kudos to him for taking the time to do that. Also, the Sk. Grange holds their monthly meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, @ 7 p.m., so if you're interested in finding out what's going on at the Grange, you're welcome to stop by 18 Fairgrounds Road and find out. If you can't stop by then, you can have all your questions answered by giving Levi a call at 360-431-9506. Remember, if you're having a large gathering, the grange is available to rent for half days or full days. If you're interested in musical events and Open Mic nights and when they are taking place at the Grange, call Jerry L. at 360-795 3434.

TIME FOR FIRST MEETING--Coming up on Oct. 3, there will be the monthly meeting of the Sons of Norway and lodge members will meet at 7 p.m., at the Norse Hall on Puget Island, to discuss all the upcoming events. The monthly bingo there will take place on the second Saturday evening of the month, which is Oct. 13 and the doors will open at 5:30 with games starting at 6 p.m. Bring your friends and have some fun!

GRCBD is SUPER CLOSE NOW--For those of you looking forward to the Grays River Covered Bridge Dinner, it will take place in just a little over a week: Saturday, Oct. 6 at 4:30 p.m. It features great food, entertainment and an auction, and will take place in a unique and historic place. If you're planning on attending, stop by the Bank of the Pacific in either Cathlamet or Naselle, or stop by or call the WSU Wah. Co. Extension office at 360-795-3278 and get those tickets right away!

FLEA MARKET--On Oct. 13 it will be time to visit the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds, when their monthly Flea Market event takes place. There is new and used stuff in the Youth Building, as some are selling their things and some are selling the things they make, so to find your treasure, head down here between 9 a.m., and 3 p.m., and check it out. Tables are available to rent for $10 each.

FOS/NEW EXHIBIT--If you come to the Flea Market, you'll be coming down just in time to catch the new exhibit here at the historic Redmen Hall/Central School building in downtown Skamokawa, that very same day. This is a new art exhibit by Beth Bailey, called "River Wanderings" and the Friends of Skamokawa are happy to present it to you. This exhibit will have an opening reception that day at 1 p.m., so you can meet the talented artist who will have many unique pieces and some that also feature Skamokawa. The exhibit is held on the second floor of the hall in the River Life Interpretive Center and will run until Nov. 11. If you have any questions, the hall is open Thursday through Sunday, noon to four and you can contact them at 360-795-3007.

CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA--Organizers of the annual Charlotte House "Chocolate Extravaganza" are still looking for some great chocolate makers/bakers, so if you have a way with yummy chocolate treats, and you'd like to help them out, call Susan at 360-795-6401 or Karisa at 360-795-8612. This event takes place in the lobby of the Hotel Cathlamet on Main Street, on Oct. 26, from 3 to 7 p.m., and boxes of chocolates are $20 each.

In case you didn't know, this is the 19th year that this event has taken place and is a program of the St. James Family Center, which is a fund raiser to help fund domestic violence and sexual assault programs.

FOLLOWING DAY--Patricia Battaglia is hoping that you'll join in and once again, help out the Pioneer Center Associaton's "Tidy Up the Town" efforts in Cathlamet on Oct. 27. The Spring turn out was good and things looked much better once they got done, so now it's time for the Fall clean up efforts before the nasty weather keeps us indoors and busy with other things. It is hoped that you'll bring your gloves and your clippers, etc., and meet at the Pioneer Church/Center that morning and tackle some of those pesky weeds and stickers that seem to pop up everywhere.

Here in Skamokawa, we don't have a group or organized effort to "tidy up" but, if any of you would like to just clean up your little corner of the world from road trash, etc., that would be great. Plus, if anyone wanted to truly spearhead a group effort, just let me know and I'll add it to the list of to do's for the community!

STILL NEED HELP--October is the last month that the Wahkiakum Co. Historical Museum in Cathlamet will be open before it closes for the winter. However, they need to close extra early if some volunteers can't step up to take over the docent hours, which are from 1 to 4 p.m., on Saturdays and Sundays. If you can help out during a three hour stint this coming month, it certainly would be appreciated. Contact Kari Kandoll at 360-849-4353.

STILL OPEN--The Ship Channel Coffee trailer, located just inside Skamokawa Vista Park, has new hours, which began right after Labor Day. So according to their Facebook page, they are open Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. With the days slipping by, days and times of operation may be changing, so be sure to check out their website or call the park for all the latest info.

Also, if you want to try out the latest sleeping accomodations at Vista Park, their gorgoeous Teepees, then call 360-795-8605 and make a reservation, or you can just email them at: vistapark@vista-park.org. The teepees are available for $55 for the night and come with bunk beds, which feature a double bed on the bottom and single on the top. It's Fall y'all, a great time to camp and enjoy those campfires while overlooking the beautiful Columbia River!

SHOP LOCAL--I know folks don't like to think about Christmas just yet, but with all the upcoming events and the chance to purchase unique items, it's a great time to start picking up some things and sticking them away for the holidays, which are less than three months away now! Gifts can also be in the form of gift certificates to our local businesses, so while they may not have everything you want on your gift list, if you're thinking of special, one of a kind, unique items, I think you can come up with some really wonderful gift ideas that would please almost anyone on your list right around here. The perfect gift for those who seem to want to keep "in the loop" but yet never are, you can always get them a subscription to The Eagle and that would be a win-win for everybody! Remember, if you don't shop local, there won't be any shops at all, and with tourist season coming to an end, they would all certainly appreciate our support.