COOLER--The summer heat took a break, cooled down a bit and added a splash of dampness this weekend. That's not to say it was cold though, as it was extremely humid. With lots of festivities in the works, we're hoping the skies get cleared of those dark, drippy clouds and are replaced by some blue skies and just a skiff of clouds to keep it from being too hot, with no humidity, that would be perfect!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from July 18-24 are Luke Schmitz, Bev Moonen, Rick Benfit, Stuart Bosch, Brian O'Connor, Frank Webb, Raedyn Grasseth, Lisa Hannah, Eric Ferguson, Darlene Hoven, Rocky Rose, Kelsea Blix, Ella Doiron, Larry Hendrickson, McKenna Longtain, Linda Wright, Kelsey and Ashley Hedges, Tanner Bergseng, John Buennagel, Ruth Doumit, Jerry DeBriae, Al McClain, Randy Montgomery, Cody Olsen, Haile Grasseth, Barbara Brewster, Molly Jorgensen, Paula Monroe Olson, Julie Pedersen and "Big Art" Pedersen. Belated birthday wishes to Jamie Kincaid!

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Andrew Emlen and Audrey Petterson, Rick and Janet Bryan, Mr. and Mrs. Rocky Rose and Mark and Patti Phillips. May all of you have the very best celebrations on your special days!

FREE MOVIE--The Community Center in Cathlamet, located at 101 Main Street, will show a Not Rated documentary this Friday evening, July 19 at 7 p.m. As always the movie is free and comes with free popcorn, and you may bring in your own treats as well.

BULL RIDING--Also this Friday evening, it's finally time for the Challenge of the Champions Bull Riding Event, which is a big fund raiser for the fair. If you love watching those bulls twist and turn and the cowboys go flying, here's your chance to see it! Tickets are $15 if you buy now or $20 at the gate. For your convenience, tickets are available at several locations, like The Duck Inn in Skamokawa, or The Pizza Mill in Cathlamet, or Johnson's One Stop in Naselle and you can even get them in Longview at Bob's Sporting Goods. Gates are open at 4:30 so you can come early, enjoy some food at the food booth prior to the bull riding show and then the bulls and cowboys will challenge each other beginning at 7:30 p.m.

IT'S BALD EAGLE TIME!--The yearly celebration of our national bird, the Bald Eagle, with a big parade, vendors and fireworks, is finally here this Saturday, July 20! Remember, the kick off to that day is the wonderful breakfast served by the Kiwanis Club at the Elochoman Slough Marina from 7-10 a.m. Cathlamet's Main Street will be closed from 9 to 5, with the parade beginning at noon.

Our county is unique in the fact that we are the only ones who hold this particular event so that's pretty neat I think! I've been told by the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce that they have 90 vendors this year! I'm not sure where they are going to put them all but I do hope you'll take the time to check them all out. Here's hoping the weather co-operates and everyone has a wonderful time during the day and enjoys the fireworks that evening!

QUILTS--Don't forget to check the Community Center out while you're in town during the Bald Eagle Days festivities, as they will have many quilts on display made by the River City Strippers, it's where you can buy a ticket to win a very special quilt that you will see there.

67'ers: One very last reminder to all those who were ever a part of the Wahkiakum Class of 1967, as we will gather that day for a potluck, mini-reunion at 1:30 p.m. If you have any questions, contact me ASAP! I am so happy that Kathy Bond Peek will be able to attend, as she'd had some surgery earlier this year, but she's back to feeling good and is able to enjoy camping at Vista Park and joining us for the reunion.

S.O.N. BINGO--After a very busy day at the parade and such, some folks like to take a little break and head over to the Norse Hall to play a little bingo before the evening fireworks at the marina. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the games start at 6 p.m. Cards are $5 and cash prizes are awarded so the members of the Sons of Norway welcome you to their lodge on Puget Island that evening.

TIME IS FLYING--Once we have the Bald Eagle Day celebration, it means we need to get prepared for the upcoming Wahkiakum County Fair, which is held August 15-17. Exhibits have to be entered prior to that, so it's definitely time to get going on it! Be sure to pick up your Fair Book and check out all the rules and regulations and dates for entering things. I know some folks get upset by having items turned down, but the rules and entry dates are there for a reason, so here's hoping you'll enjoy coming down to the fair and getting those in and hopefully picking up a few bucks with those winning ribbons! If you're new to the area, I hope you'll jump in there and take part too, as this is a huge opportunity to join the community and show off your skills as a baker, canner, soap maker, quilt maker, photographer, sketch artist, seamstress, card maker, gardener, wood carver and more, so whatever your talent, I'm sure there's a place for you at the Wahkiakum County Fair; join the fun!

SYMPATHIES--We want to send our deepest sympathies to several families as they've lost some special people in their lives recently. Services have already been held for Bobby Larson, Ed Moss and Vivien Agee-Wirkkala, who had been born in 1927, 1935 and 1929 respectively, and had all lived very fulfilling lives. Our condolences to all their families and close friends.

VISITING--Adam and Samantha Pedersen, along with their two daughters, flew in from the east coast recently and spent some time with Dad, Mark (Rhonda) Pedersen and visiting with his Mom, Cindy. Adam, who seems to have become very proficient in the art of meal preparations on a BBQ, was even able to borrow one from one of his friends and fixed an amazing chicken dinner one evening. Also on hand to keep Mark busy, was his other son, Gabriel (Annie) Pedersen and their two sons, one of which is just a couple months old, who came up from California for a visit. Needless to say "Grandpa Mark" was in heaven with his four grandchildren all together for the very first time.

JET LAG--I got an early birthday treat from my son, Pete Sechler this year, so I'm definitely trying to catch up on my sleep from some super busy days and jet lag after spending several days back in New York City last week. Headed back to the "Big Apple" to see a Broadway show had always been on my "bucket list" so it was pure delight to have that dream fullfilled. Traveling with my oldest son and only granddaughter, Tessa, was like running 10 marathons as they can really step it up, and I think the only time I was able to match their speed was when a couple of guys offered to put some massive pythons around my neck for a photo op on the Brooklyn Bridge, um, nope, not happening! The planned highlight of the trip was definitely going to see "The Lion King" at the Minskoff Theater. What a fantastic show! The unplanned highlight was an Italian dinner where the food was out of this world good, and the staff gave us free champagne, cannolis and a table-side song when they found out I was from the west coast to celebrate a birthday; so, so fun! From getting to be part of the ticker-tape parade for the U.S. Women's Soccer team, to Central Park, Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Center, a first time subway ride, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, a water taxi ride, a museum tour, to standing outside to view the "Good Morning America" show, and much, much more, it was a fantastic trip. Even going through a rare, partial Manhattan black-out was pretty surreal and more of an adventure than anything scary, as those New Yorkers came together and were flagging traffic and helping others out and there was no chaos really; it was awesome! We put in almost 17,000 steps in just one day, so, eating New York style cheesecake, pizza and more, didn't seem so bad. I am happy to be home surrounded by my greenery and all the critters and quiet, but will be forever grateful that I was given the opportunity to experience so many wonderful things; truly a dream come true.