WEATHER--Temperatures dropped on Sunday night and by Monday morning, we had a slight trace of snow/ice on the lawn, but that little bit was gone by eleven so we certainly didn't get any big snow storm, which was fine by me! People in higher elevations got more, and even that depended on where you were located. I know the folks in the Seattle/Everett region got quite a bit of the white stuff and it was well below freezing Monday morning, with very windy conditions, so oddly enough, they were worse off than we were, which is pretty rare. Tuesday saw temps in the mid-20s here but no snow that morning, unlike other areas. The weekend brings in a "snowier" forecast, so I hope everyone gets prepared for that just in case this one gets us!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Feb. 7-13 are Bob Montgomery, Bailey McKinley, Bret Hart, Tyler Havens, Ethan Havens, Lucas Havens, Wendy Havens, Alivia Lindsey, Wendy Peek, Paul Schroder, Ron "Chink" Cothren, Brandon Souvenir, Mykall Stensland, Ann Pedersen, Shawn Cortay, Reese Gullickson, Hailey Blain, Darrill Corbin, Kim Jones, Aunika Taylor, Carlie Freeman, Annette Healy Miller, Dave Pedersen and Scott Pedersen.

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are The Randy Montgomerys, Ryan and Breanna Lorenzo and Karen (Trimble) and Larry Brown. Enjoy your special days!

THIS WEEKEND EVENTS--The monthly Flea market at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds will take place this Saturday, Feb. 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., so let's hope we aren't snowed in and we can actually get to this event. There are many new, as well as used items, so come on down and check it out. The Youth Building is heated, so at least you won't be shivering while you're shopping!

Also this Saturday, it's time to head to the Norse Hall on Puget Island and have some fun joining in their bingo games, with cash prizes! Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the games begin at 6 p.m. We are keeping our Sons of Norway Pres. Jan Silvestri in our thoughts as she continues to recuperate from a recent fall. Take it easy Jan!

On Sunday, Feb. 10, it's time to head to the high school in Naselle and enjoy the wonderful smorgasboard held by the American Legion Auxiliary. It's always great and according to Dee Nikkila, you can enjoy this event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

HEART DAY--The days are ticking by quickly, so you all should get your act together and plan on what you're doing for Valentine's Day, as it's next Thursday. So, if you don't already have plans or reservations, you'd best hop to it, as you don't want your sweetie to be forgotten, or you'll wind up with tomato soup and grilled cheese for the big day!

IMPORTANT PORT DISTRICT 2 MTG--Recently there was a meeting in Cathlamet to discuss the possible merger of the Port Districts #1 and #2. For all the new folks, those of us here in Skamokawa are in PD #2, and that also includes the County Line Park, the boat launch area on Puget Island and areas in western Wahkiakum. Unfortunately, the port meeting was held on the same night as "Senior Night" at the high school for the WHS basketball team, so I'm guessing the meeting would have been better attended had there not been that conflict.

Besides discussing the benefits of a full merger of the two districts, it is possible for the two ports to just combine in an "inter-local" agreement for some things, which is a temporary thing, and could indeed be beneficial to both ports. Reasons for having a full merger in a nutshell version, seemed to focus on having to pay for just one audit, as well as having a dual computerized reservation system between both ports, and whittling two boards consisting of three people each, down to five total. However, a full merger would require changing the current district lines, (redistricting) so that raised some eyebrows. Various concerns were discussed but we were told that this was just a preliminary "let's think about it" meeting, so nothing is set in concrete.

However, if you want your voices heard on this matter, I feel that as many people as possible should show up for the upcoming Port District #2 meeting that will be held on Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m., at the Skamokawa Methodist Church. This site will ensure a lot of seating space available as well as easy access for those who may have disabilities. Your current port commissioners need our input and are asking you for it, so it's very important for those in this district to show up. If you do attend, please be respectful and conduct yourself in an appropiate manner, as we can call things into question without attacking anyone.

The acting manager and commissioners have done a fantastic job at Sk. Vista Park and their other properties, with many improvements and a solvent financial status, so they are to be applauded for their good works. I, for one, am under the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" frame of mind. To make me change my mind, I need to be convinced that this would actually benefit us, so let's all be civil and listen to what they have to say. Spread the word: Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. - Methodist Church!

PIE/CAKE SOCIAL--Don't forget to stop by the Tsuga Gallery and check out their Pie (and cake) Social on Feb. 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. Nothing like buying some homemade goodies to enjoy over the weekend! Buy just a slice of pie or the whole thing. Sounds good to me!

HELPING OTHERS--On Saturday, Feb. 23, there will be a fund raiser to help Bobby and Sabrina McNally at the Norse Hall, with tickets costing $10. The main dish is pork sliders and there will be several items up for a raffle as well, which includes all kinds of things from firewood to a load of rock. Here's hoping there is a good turn-out so that the couple, who was displaced by a fire in their home, can get a few dollars in order to make a fresh start and replace what they have lost.

67'ERS REMINDER--Just in case any of you from the Wahkiakum High School graduating Class of 1967 missed my first notice, or have forgotten and would like to contribute to its cost, donations are still being accepted towards the class picture that will soon be hanging in the halls of WA-KI-HI after a very long absence! Please contact me for further information regarding this. Kudos to Elaine Rolf for doing all the running around to get this ordered and put together.

One of our classmates, Richard West, took a nasty fall awhile back and we were hoping he'd be home by now. But, according to another classmate and buddy of Rich's, Greg Lloyd, he is still laid up, so we certainly want to send our "get well soon" wishes to him once again. There's no place like home, so we hope he's able to get back there soon.

ANOTHER LOSS--Our sympathies go out to former resident, Roberta (Bobbie) Leingang, as she lost her husband, Ron quite suddenly last week. They had been married over 20 years and had been living in Vancouver at the time of his death; he was 69. Bobbie's three sons Joe, Don and Kevin Weaver all attended school here and Joe has come from back east to be with his Mom at this difficult time. No services are planned at this time.

GATHERING LATER ON--Some of you have asked when there would be a service for John (Johnny) Peterson, who passed away last month, and I've been told that there will be a gathering in his memory sometime in May. When details become available, I will let you know.

VENDORS WANTED--Once again, the time is flying by so it won't be long until the Friends of Skamokawa will be opening up Redmen Hall/Central School once again with their annual Antique and Vintage Fair, March 1-3. They are searching for people to sell their items, which can be a single item or more and you don't have to be there to sell them, so if you've got some things of good quality that you'd like to part with and make a few bucks on, rather than gathering dust, this would be a good time to do so. Contact the hall at 360-795-3007 and leave a message and they'll get back to you.