NICE AGAIN--We may have had some drippy times at the end of last week but the weekend wasn't too bad, so the traffic was still pretty thick heading to the beach, as everyone is anxious to get out and about while Summer is still here. If the forecast holds true, we'll have sunshine all week long, so I hope you're getting those summertime chores wrapped up as Fall will be here before you know it.

EXTREME FIRE DANGER--Until our Fall rains show up and wet down our tinder dry area, everyone is being reminded that we do have a burn ban in effect right now. Also, we are being asked to be extremely cautious when using equipment that could ignite a fire, and even people pulling boats and trailers are urged to be mindful of any dragging chains that could spark on the roadway. Hundreds of thousands of acres are on fire in several states on the West Coast and British Columbia, so please don't let a careless moment be the cause of any preventable fires in our area.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from August 27-September 2 are Lori (Martin) Carroll, Nanea Carroll, Quin Bassi, Addy Helms, Carter Helms-Carvalho, Linda Ougendal, Judy Danielsen, Jim Robinson, Jamie Quigley, Debbie Melton, Joe Turgeon, Meredith Cothren, Terry Heagy, Kathy McNally, Linda Cook and Wayne Bell. Belated birthday wishes to Stoney Anketell and Julie McKagan. Hope you had wonderful birthdays!

Those celebrating anniversaries are John and Malisa Thompson, Mike and Sara Brown, Ryan and Erica Torppa, Pete and Patti LaBerge, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Robinson, Phil and Nancy Corbin and Lee and Diane Tischer. May you all have wonderful celebrations on your special days.

REMINDER--Sadly, long time resident Cora Irving passed away earlier this year, but due to Covid-19, they did not have a service. However, her family will hold a Celebration of Life gathering in her memory at Greenwood Cemetery this Saturday, Aug. 29 at noon, and all friends and family members are invited to attend. While practicing social distancing of course.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES--There was a list of supplies that students need for school included in last week's paper, so hopefully all of you parents have gotten your items together by now so that your child has everything they need to start the new year off right. However, if you find yourself in a bind and cannot afford to purchase the necessary items, call the school office right away and most likely, they can get you the help you need. On the other hand, if you don't have that particular burden and would like to help out those who need it, tell them you'd be willing to donate supplies and they can tell you how to go about that, 360-795-3271.

STILL OPEN--The Museum in Cathlamet, located at 65 River Street, is operated by the WCHS (Wahkiakum County Historical Society) and is still open for a couple more Saturdays, so don't miss out on seeing the historical artifacts from our county. By reservation only, it can be opened on Sundays, but that must be prearranged, so you'd need to contact the curator, Kari Kandoll, 360-849-4353, ASAP and make those arrangements. Needless to say, having to be closed most of the season, the museum certainly took a financial hit, so if you'd like to help them out, you can send a check to the address listed above, Cathlamet 98612. You might even think of donating something as a Christmas gift in another person's name, as some people already have enough "things" and I think they'd love to have their name linked with saving our local history!

CONGRATS--Former resident Frank Corbin got some good news the other day as he was appointed to the Lewis County Planning Commission by their board of commissioners, so congratulations to him. The Community Development Director, Lee Hansmann Napier, put his name in for the board to consider and they selected him for the position. Frank is a busy guy as he's already serving on the Veterans Advisory Board, the Budget Citizen's Committee and the Chehalis Basin Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee, so he is definitely involved in his community. If you're wanting to make your voice heard, you'll have to be like Frank and get involved with the inside workings of your community. Go, Frank!

FEELING BLUE?--When things get a bit overwhelming and we're feeling a little down and out, one of the best things we can do to perk ourselves up, is to do a good deed for others. That way they will be happy thanks to you and you'll be feeling better and happier too. It's a win, win! One of the things you can do if you like to write or make cards, is to contact a care center and find out who doesn't ever get any mail and then send them some. Whether you buy some cute note cards or make them yourself, I know that whoever gets them will be thrilled to see something for them in the mail. With multiple holidays coming up, and many folks receiving no mail at all during those times, it would be a great time to spread a little cheer around. We could all certainly use a little more of that!

GREAT PHOTOS--Rene Westbrook has started a Wahkiakum Photography page on Facebook and I have to say, there are some awesome photographers out there. Of course, we have gorgeous areas in which to take pictures so that really helps, as our sunrises and sunsets have been outstanding this year. Kudos to all those who have joined that FB page and a big thank you to Rene for starting it!

TIME FOR PLANNING AHEAD--It is pretty obvious that times have really changed recently, but you know what hasn't changed? Our need to be ready for adverse weather and its wide variety of complications. It's so easy to kick back and enjoy these sunny days, but if you're new to the area, you need to know that we can, and have, gone through some really difficult weather events. We have lots of trees, which is great, but often, especially during the rainy seasons, it also means that these can come down and "presto," you're not going anywhere. When trees come down, often the hillside comes with them. A double whammy as that can mean power outages as well as road closures. Usually our crews are quick to respond and things are fixed quickly, but that is not always the case, so, it's a great idea to be prepared for such events as much as possible.

Emergency Management teams list dozens of things you should have on hand. And common sense tells us that we need to be stocked up on food and water and flashlights and such. However, while it was common to suggest a three day supply of things, they changed that to a week, and now it's much longer, like 10 to 12 days. For those of you "in the sticks," you already know why, as depending on where you are, and what has happened, it could mean you may need to be self-sufficient for quite some time, so take stock on where you are, and what you'll need to get by, and start planning and putting that plan in motion. There have been times when certain roads go under water during our flooding events, so one needs to pay attendtion to rising waters and make sure you've got all you need as often several roads will be impacted and if you don't have it at home, you'll most likely be doing without it! If someone in your household has to rely on power for life saving equipment, an alternative power source is a priority purchase for you. That goes for an alternative heat source as well. We can always hope we never need to utilize our emergency kits, but it's far better to be prepared now, than to be sorry later.

OUT OF THE PAST--This week back in 1950, it was hot, then nice and then the first couple days of September began quite hot. Grandma Elsie Everest was on vacation that week, and daughter Carol took her and kids, David and Kay, and niece Donna Healy, to Oregon City for the day. They ate at Waddel's on the way back, which was the good part. However a malfunctioning gas gauge left them out of gas just as they got to Kelso. Luckily Ruby Everest and Reverend and Mrs. Cooper saved the day and came to their rescue!

In 1960, the weather was beautiful and nice and then as the month of September started, it got a little cooler but still warm. The Wahkiakum Fair was going on part of that week and as always, there was a lot to do after it was over for those who had displays there, so both of the Everests stayed busy sorting things and doing clean up. On the first day of September the Pocahontas members met and had a memorial and draping of the charter in memory of Odessa Osborne, who had passed away in August. Grandma Elsie worked at the museum in Cathlamet from 11 to 4 and she was pleased when great-grandson, Tim and Mark Pedersen came by with their Mom Peggy for a visit. All this according to my Grandma Elsie Everest's diaries.