QUIET START--As this week begins, it was just at freezing in West Valley, but other than that, this past Sunday was mostly cloudy but there were even a few sun breaks, so that was nice. I understand the weather for the end of the week may be a bit more challenging and depending on where you are, you could even have some snow or icy conditions. If we do get some nastier weather, I hope folks will slow down as many of those accidents could have been avoided if they were driving for the current conditions and not the posted speed limits, which are only meant for perfect condtions, not snow and ice.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Feb. 21-27 are Vicki Allenback, Mary McLaughlin, Rebecca Costillo, Nick Tarabochia, Darrin Dow, Emery Tomlinson, Shelley Olsen, Mary Hanigan, Tina Robinson, Cindy Jacobsen Elmore, Ursula Jorgensen, Truchet Miller and David A. Pedersen Jr. My apologies and belated birthday wishes go out to Vera Oman who celebrated her special day this past Tuesday; sorry about that!

Happy Anniversary wishes this week go out to Terry and Mary Heagy, Kevin and Sandy Wirkkala, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hanson, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Peek and a special "Happy 50th" anniversary wish goes out to Ron and Gaylene Johnson! Belated anniversary wishes to Brian and Sue O'Conner who celebrated their special day this past Sunday.

GOOD NEWS--We were so happy to hear that the stolen van that was featured on the front of last week's Eagle, was recovered. I was told that the special wheelchair van belonging to Grant and Ashley (Moore) Turner, was found in Deep River and other than a few minor things, the van seemed to be okay. During this same period of time, several other places were broken into so if you know anything about those incidences, be sure to report it.

CONGRATS--We got more great news, as the whole town was able to cheer this past weekend when our WA-KI-HI Lady Mules basketball team wound up beating Ocosta and took home the title of SW District 2 B Champions; yippee! Congratulations to this great team and their coaches, as they have truly come into their own and done a great job.

RECOGNIZED--I should have mentioned this earlier, but we'd like to give a shout out to Jamie Kincaid, as she was given the distinction of "Employee of the Month" for her work at the Naselle Youth Camp recently. It's always nice to be appreciated and recognized for your work, so I'm happy that she was, and kudos to her for a job well done: Congratulations, Jamie!

FRIDAY GOODIES--If you like pie and cake, then you should head to Tsuga Gallery on Main Street in Cathlamet and get yourself a nice treat this Friday, Feb. 22 from 1 to 4. You can buy a whole pie for $12 or a whole cake for $10. If you'd like just a slice, that's available as well for a donation of your choice. This fund raising event goes towards supporting community services, so it all goes for a good cause. If you'd like more information, contact Charlene Jeffers at 360-849-4889.

BUSY SATURDAY--There are three dinners going on this Saturday, Feb. 23, so you have a wide variety of places to go when it comes to supporting a certain cause or group or people, but it looks like you can only pick one as they're all taking place about the same time! Your choices are: 1. Dinner and auction at the fairgrounds, with things starting at 4 p.m., which is being put on by the Fair Foundation to raise money for the upcoming bull riding event taking place on July 2. The Lincoln Dinner, where Republicans will meet at the Skamokawa Grange Hall for dinner with guest speaker, Rep. Jim Walsh and tickets are $25 with dinner at 6 p.m .; and lastly, number 3, a fund raising event for Bobby and Sabrina McNally, who lost their home in a house fire, will take place at the Norse Hall on Puget Island, (444 SR 409) with doors open at 4 p.m., with many items being raffled off and a pork slider dinner served at 6 p.m.

THIS SUNDAY--"Open Mic Night" at the Skamokawa Grange Hall, located at 18 Fairgrounds Road, will be held this Sunday, Feb. 24. The doors will open at 3:45 in the afternoon for folks to sign in with the music/entertainers beginning at 4 p.m. All of you talented folks who like to play an instrument or sing are urged to join in the fun, as after the line up of entertainers is done, then the evening closes with a jam session. All those who just like to listen to some good ole local music and do a little toe-tappin' are welcome to come to the grange as well, and remember, the coffee is always on! Questions? Call Jerry at 360-795-3434. There is no charge but donations are gladly accepted to help the Grange.

COMING RIGHT UP--Don't forget, the opening of Redmen Hall/Central School will be happening before you know it, with their annual three day, Antique and Vintage Sale, which goes from March 1 to March 3. There are special hours those first two days, as they will be open from 10 a.m., to 4 p.m., on Friday and Saturday and then on Sunday, they will be open from Noon to 4 p.m. They hope that if you have some items you'd like to sell, that you'll contact the hall at 360-795-3007 and get them to the hall and ready to be included for the big sale. You don't have to be there in order for your items to be sold and there are no certain amount of items that you must bring in order to take part in this. For more information, call the hall and leave a message and they'll get back to you.

MORE LOSSES--Sadly, Skamokawa lost another resident recently, as Boone Mora left this world and his home in Middle Valley on Feb. 9. His memorial service will be held this Saturday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m., at the Pioneer Center in Cathlamet. Afterwards, a gathering/reception for him will be held from 3 to 5 p.m., at the home of his son, Forrest (Beth) Mora at 46 Greenwood Road. Many of us knew Boone for taking a huge interest in the hoof rot situation amongst our elk herds. Our sincerest sympathies to his wife, Jean and their entire family.

Don Ostling, who grew up on Puget Island, passed away on Feb. 14 at the age of 74 in the Hospice Center in Longview. His family is extremely saddened by his loss but was consoled that he would be joining his wife, Barbara and they'd be together celebrating Valentine's Day once again.

WELL WISHES--I got word this weekend that Steve Rabelos, who had recently undergone surgery to remove a brain tumor, was not feeling real well after getting a cold, fever and cough, so we hope he recovers quickly from that, as well as his surgery. Steve was recently given a quilt by a group of quilters in Cathlamet, and I was happy to be able to pick that up on his behalf and got it delivered to Steve's wife, Pat, via a stopover at our local grocery store, so I was glad that worked out. Steve loved his "man quilt," which was nicely done in deer and other critters that a guy would surely appreciate, and so he really appreciated the gesture of kindness by these wonderful ladies. Thank-you Vicki Skeers for contacting me! As of this writing, Steve is still recuperating at SW Medical in Vancouver on the third floor.

SEND WISHES--Kay Cochran has been having some health issues lately and putting up a great fight and her daughter, Stephanie Prestegard, says they now have her in a place where she can get some rehab and regain some strength and mobility. A lot of folks wanted to know where to send flowers or things, but Stephanie said that her Mother preferred that you send a donation in her name to the Pioneer Church/Community Center at P. O. Box 24, Cathlamet, WA 98612. However, I'm sure she'd love to receive a note or a card from all those that are thinking of her, so here's an address where you can send one: Kay Cochran - 2811 NE 139th St - Vancouver, WA 98686. Here's hoping she continues to improve and can be with her family soon!

OTHER ADDRESSES--Sadly we have lost a lot of friends and family members lately and often times they have requested that donations be made to various organizations or places in their name, but obituaries get lost and people forget, so here's just a few addresses that you may have wanted to save: The family of Hoby Thacker had requested donations be sent to the Sk. Methodist Church - P. O. Box 205 - Skamokawa, WA 98647; Betty Koziel's family had requested donations to the Sk. Fire Department - P. O. Box 145 - Skamokawa, WA 98647; A few others are: The Friends of Skamokawa - P.O. Box 67 - Skamokawa, WA 98647; Skamokawa Grange #425 - P. O. Box 123 - Skamokawa, WA 98647; Wahkiakum County Fair - P. O. Box 1 - Skamokawa, WA 98647; Wahkiakum Co. Historical Society - 65 River Street - Cathlamet, WA 98612 and the Pioneer Comunity Center mentioned above, to name just a few.

I think I could safely say that all of the organizations in this area are in need of more funds in order to keep their buildings up and going, as well as needing volunteers to take part in working in them or on them or putting on fund raisers, etc. Trust me, there is never "nothing to do" in this area! We hope you can help out whenever and wherever you can.

DONATIONS--Most of us are pretty aware of the needs of those that don't have much, and are pretty generous when it comes to people needing things like coats and blankets and household items, but do you know what need often goes overlooked? Well, it's underwear! Yep, we can wash those t-shirts or those jeans and pass them along, but hey, who wants used undies? So, if you're able, why not pick out a new pack of mens or womens or girls or boys underwear and donate them to your local clothing bank? Often times there are some good sales on these items, so how about pitching in, doing a good deed and filling this void if at all possible.