WEATHER--The end of last week saw heavy downpours between the dry times in West Valley, so that was good. Saturday started foggy and I thought it might be dry all day, but it did pour a couple of times, but again, at least it wasn't a daylong drenching. Monday saw quite a bit more moisture here in West Valley than in other places, as while it was dripping wet here, it was sunny and dry in Longview, so our yards got some extra watering that others didn't seem to get! Drier conditions may show up, but that comes with colder temperatures.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Oct. 10-16 are Jeff Baldwin, Justin McClain, Lindsey Brown, Sami McKinley, Ron D. Cothren, Kristina Heiner, Paul and Pete LaBerge, Ivy Lou Vik, Erin Phillips, Tyler Cothren, Lisa Sauer, Aron Havens, Cameron Collins, Heidi Knowles, Heather Knowles Ratcliff, Stephanie Johnson, Justin Robert, Dixie Anderson, Randy Kuhn, Doug Manary, Josie Parker, Gary Tischer and Curt Moore.

Happy Anniversary wishes go out to Mr. and Mrs. Brent Mahitka, Mr. and Mrs. William Owens, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Aughenbaugh and Joe and Sheryl Weaver. Here's hoping all of you with special days this week had a really great time!

Belated anniversary wishes go out to Ralph and Jean Kenner who just celebrated their 73rd anniversary this past Sunday. Wow, that's awesome! That definitely calls for a special congratulations as well as a happy anniversary.

I was told that Tom and Cora Irving celebrated the same number recently so a hearty congratulations to them, too!

FAMILY ADDITIONS--We also get to add an anniversary to the listing, as it's congratulations to newlyweds, Max and Ashli Scudder. They got married on Oct. 3, in Seabrook, so we are happy to add them to our list. For the happy occasion, Max announced that a special beverage was released at his place called, "Beerded Brothers Brewing" and was named "Suddenly Scudder Ale." Mom, Rhonda Pedersen and hubby, Mark, were definitely excited to welcome Ashli into the family!

We also got a great reveal via a video clip from another family member, as Ty and Kendra Finkas announced they are expecting once again come spring time! To let everyone know whether they were expecting a boy or girl, they had their son Jensen open a present, which just so happened to be Seahawk garb for a little boy, so it looks like Jensen is having a baby brother to play with pretty soon. This will make my brother Frank Pedersen and his wife, Carolyn, great grandparents for the second time. Congratulations, everybody!

REMINDER--Just wanted to give a quick reminder that there will not be a free movie this Friday at the Community Center in Cathlamet.

THIS SATURDAY--Once again, it's the second Saturday of the month, so it's going to be a really busy day. First it will be time to head to the fairgrounds in Skamokawa and check out the monthly Flea Market, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Want to sell some things? Call and leave a message at 360-795-3480.

Not only is there a sale going on at the Youth Building in the fairgrounds, but the Skamokawa Grange is extending their sale, along with some new items, at the same time, so stop by the Grange Hall and check that out, too. You just never know what you'll find!

When you're done shopping at the Flea Market and at the Grange Hall, be sure to check out the new exhibit at Redmen Hall, "Falling Leaves," which with fall having arrived, makes for a perfect time to show this particular exhibit, with its vibrant colors and varied textures throughout the various types of art that is displayed by this vast array of artists. This exhibit ends Oct. 27, so we hope you don't miss the chance to see it. The door to the hall opens at noon and closes at four, Thursday through Sunday. Questions? Call 360-795-3007.

DRESS A GIRL ANNIVERSARY--Once you leave the Skamokawa area, or before you get here, you may want to stop by the Community Center in Cathlamet on Saturday, as there will be a Ten Year Annivesary Celebration/Open House of the "Dress a Girl Around the World" program from 11 a.m., to 2 p.m. Locally, we have 25 women sewing dresses for this program and they have done an outstanding job of making them. If you went to the fair, you may have seen some of them in the T-building, as there were some sporting blue ribbons. At the center, you will be able to see pictures of the children who are now wearing those exact dresses in Africa! There will be more information given out about this program so you are invited to stop by and check that out while you enjoy some refreshments and take part in the door prizes that were provided by the Cathlamet Woman's Club; truly a group of wonderful people have come together to help others.

SON BINGO--Who likes to shout "Bingo?" When it comes to winning cash prizes, everybody does, so here's hoping you head to Puget Island and enjoy a few games of bingo put on by the Sons of Norway, and maybe you'll be the one doing the shouting and celebrating. Doors open at 5:30 in the lower levels of the Norse Hall, with games beginning at 6. Cards are $5 each and I wish you lots of luck!

LEFSE MAKING--Speaking of the Sons of Norway and the Norse Hall, it will soon be time to get in on the art of making lefse, as they'll be needing helpers to make the dough, roll it out and cook it on the lefse hotplates. The days for making it are listed as Oct. 31-Nov. 2. Usually the first couple are the main making and teaching days with the products being sold later on in the day or third day, but head over and check it out, as not only will there be lefse, but there will be other Norwegian goodies as well! You can always call Susan Brown for more details, 360-849-4476.

FUNDRAISER THIS SUNDAY--Once you're done going to flea markets, sales, exhibits and playing bingo on Saturday, then why not head to the Rosburg Hall on Sunday, Oct. 13 for a lasagna dinner? The Fair Foundation is putting on this lasagna dinner from 1-5 p.m., to help fund the projects that they continue to do at our local Wahkiakum County Fair. So, it's a good cause and a good excuse to head over the hill, enjoy the ride and enjoy a nice dinner to boot! They hope to see you there.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED--Our volunteer fire departments have been a major factor in the kind of response that we get out here in the sticks, from chimney fires, to house fires and multiple first-aid calls. They are truly some of the most deserving, yet unsung heroes of our community. However, in the last few years, our large volunteer base has been dwindling as some of those older people have retired, so now, more than ever, we need some new blood to help fill the ranks in our various departments. I will make a plea for all those able-bodied new folks to come forward and help out your new neighbors and become one of us by volunteering to our Skamokawa Fire Department. They hold meetings on Thursday evenings at our station, located at the blue building on East Valley Road, right near the fairgrounds and recyclable bins. Meeting time is at 7 p.m., and you would be most welcome to come by and check them out. Truly, we need you!

THINKING OF THEM--We got word that former resident, Dave Heiner had to make another hospital trip and we certainly hope he can bounce back from his variety of health issues and stay out of that place under emergency circumstances for awhile.

Also, please keep Rex Gilbertsen in your thoughts and prayers as he was involved in a car accident recently and underwent some surgery, so he could definitely use some get well wishes.

There are many people struggling with some serious health issues, and not all of them like to be named in the newspaper, but I hope they know they have a lot of people in our community who do know their issues and the courageous fight that they are battling. Here's wishing only the best to them as well.

NEXT MONTH--Calling all vendors! It will soon be time for the St. James Family Center to host their annual "A Country Christmas Bazaar," so if you've got jewelry, paintings, quilts, Christmas decor, etc., that you make and would like a nice venue to sell them at, then here's your chance! They like to have a wide variety of vendors for this event, as it gives everyone a great shopping experience. The bazaar will be held Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so now is the time to let them know you'd like to be a part of this event. For an application, call Christie at 360-849-0888 or send an email to davistax@msn.com.

The SJFC always has a lunch there too, so shop and dine at the same place, as they'll have soup, chili, hot dogs and more to help you boost your energy levels so you can shop a little longer, and with a wonderful Scandinavian Bake Sale going on, you're going to really enjoy stocking up on those special treats!

As always, they will have a "Christmas Store" for the little kids to shop, where nothing costs over a dollar, and as always, they would gladly except donations so the kids can surprise their family members with a treat that they purchased. No parents can be inside the "store," so staffers will help the kids out and help choose and wrap their gifts for them. This is loads of fun for the kids under the age of 12.

If you are new to the area, the Family Center is located in Cathlamet at 1134 Columbia Street. Monies earned go towards their invaluable programs for kids and their families, so it's a good cause!

A LEAD--Remember when I asked if anybody had any news about the Tetz Oil Co. that was here in Skamokawa back in 1939? Well, thanks to Mary Gustafson, I got a bit of a lead on the founder, as it appears that Bill Tetz founded it in 1933, and then operated by his son, Ken Sr. and Uncle Lawrence. The Tetz Oil Co. dealt with Union Oil products and this business was passed down to a son, Ken Jr. The Tetz family wound up selling the business, due to illness, in 2002 to Wilcox and Flegel. So, while I don't have any real proof that Bill Tetz was here, the ad in the old newspaper and the timing is right. We'll have to check further. Thanks for the lead, Mary!