SOGGY BEGINNING--As this week begins, it is definitely a dripping, dreary, sunless day! It's one of those days when the dampness seems to sink into your bones and it's time to add that extra layer of clothes or crank up the heat as the whole house seems chilly. From the sounds of it, we may have more dampness before you get this paper, and then, if we get lucky, we get a couple of decent days scattered in there in the next week, so we sure hope so! However, it's possible that temperatures take a real cold turn at the latter part of this week, like freezing cold, so just in case, be sure to take care of anything you don't want frozen. Again, this is always hit and miss around here, as some places are colder than others, but it's better to err on the side of caution this time of year!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Oct. 22-28 are Justin Garrison, Maddie McClain, Piper McClain, Valle Mae Ledtke, Craig Nielson, Nick Vavoudis, Elizabeth Dahlen, Kristi Knowles Langston, Kelsey Cothren, Victoria Wallin, Tricia Farmen, Jake Schillios, Maddison Clark, Calvin Grasseth and Nathaniel Norris.

I also want to say Happy Birthday to the one and only, the late, great, "Skamokawa Pete" (Arthur) Peterson, former owner of the Duck Inn, who was truly one of a kind and whose birthday would have been Oct. 25! So, let's all have a toast to Pete this weekend. His picture is showcased in the bar to this day. We truly miss him! Here's to you Pete! RIP. On a side note, I took that picture of him on his birthday.

Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Mr. and Mrs. Greg Bain, Mr. and Mrs. Vern Freeman, Mr. and Mrs. Travis Gibson, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. David Geer, Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Anshutz, Mr. and Mrs. David Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Barth, Mr. and Mrs. Graig Sand, Jason and Rochelle Wallin and Wayne and Karen Bell.

PICK UP ITEMS--The Friends of Skamokawa are certainly appreciative to all those who took part in the online auction they held recently, and now it's time for those winning bidders to come and pick up their items at Redmen Hall, located at 1394 East SR 4, or across from the Skamokawa Store/Resort at Milepost 29. They will be there Oct. 21-24 (Wed.-Sat.) from Noon until 4 p.m.

AUTO SWAP MEET--The folks at the Roadkill Saloon location, at 8 Fairgrounds Road in Skamokawa, will hold a "rain or shine" Auto Swap Meet and Car Show this Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you'd like to be a vendor, you'll need to bring your own tables and canopy and most other things you'll need, although a restroom will be nearby and there is limited access to water and power. There's a $20 charge to set up as a vendor but the car show part is free with the judging on that at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Let's hope and pray they have nice weather so folks can come out and enjoy this Fall event without their boots and umbrellas! For more info, you can contact the Roadkill Saloon via Facebook.

THINKING OF HER--This past weekend a family member of mine was in a terrible accident after two teenagers who were racing one another, plowed into her car broadside, right at the driver's side door. She had to be cut out of her vehicle. She now has two broken vertebrae in her neck and in her back and will be unable to work for some time. Thankfully she is alive, which is amazing, and considering everything, she is also in good spirits. Of course, considering that this could have ended more tragically, it's another lesson to all of us to appreciate each day, as you never know what tomorrow holds for you. I'd certainly appreciate any and all good thoughts and prayers that you could send Patty Kellum's way, thanks!

MORE SURGERY/ACCIDENT--I hope we can all keep Debbie Beebe Olson in our thoughts again, or still, as she was undergoing more surgery this past Monday. We truly hope she did not have to have any more amputations done as she'd already had one infected toe removed and had been concerned about another, so we wish her only the best.

Also, Dave Gibson was working on some fence line when he injured himself and wound up tearing up some tendons and such, so besides his other health issues, this was really not what he needed to have happen. We hope he heals up from that injury real soon.

SERVICES SOON--We were so sorry to hear about the passing of Jean Wika Kenner this past week, on Oct. 16, as she is one of those Puget Island "legends" that all of us Island "kids" knew. Jean had turned 92 in April and just recently been able to attend a family gathering with many of her family members, so that was truly a blessing for her and her family. Services for Jean will be held at the Norse Hall on Oct. 31 at noon, and masks are required with social distancing protocols being observed. Our sincerest sympathies to all of Jean's family members, especially her husband, Ralph and her children. RIP Jean.

SAD TO HEAR--I was also sad to hear about the passing of Marie Schwarze in last week's paper, and we certainly extend our sympathies to her family. Marie always had a smile on her face and I certainly enjoyed seeing her when she would show up for taco Tuesdays down at the Duck Inn. It's sad to have to say good-bye to another nice lady who will be missed by all who knew her.

ON THE MOVE--Little Kaiden Good was born in Wyoming and then at five months old, he took a six state trip with his folks, Austin and Nicole, and now, he's moved to Utah. This is one traveling little boy, who at six months old, has gone places many of us haven't gone in 60 years! Considering his former home just had a foot of snow dumped on it, I think they left just at the right time. At any rate, the family hopes to settle in there awhile before having to move again, but sometimes one's job makes it so that your plans have to be a bit more flexible, and in this day and age, you do what you have to do. Here's hoping they don't have to move again for awhile.

ROSBURG BAZAAR--If you're wanting to sell your goodies and take part in the holiday bazaar at the Rosburg Hall on Oct. 31, and you haven't already signed up, it's definitely time to call 360-465-2574 and get on the list! You can rent a table for just $10. The bazaar is always great fun and it will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Saturday.

For you new folks, you'll need to head west from Cathlamet/Skamokawa and go over KM Mountain, through the little hamlet of Grays River, and continuing west through some S-curves, until you get to the intersection by the Rosburg Store. You will then turn onto Pillar Rock Road, and you'll go just a little ways and you'll take the first right just before the bridge and you'll be at the Rosburg Hall. Most of you have phones with maps on them now, so it should be easy enough to find!

DRESS A GIRL--Once again, if you can sew and would like to do a good deed for those in need, this would be right up your alley. Pearl Blackburn heads up a group that makes dresses for those girls around the world who don't have a dress, and with your help, you could insure that they have one. The pattern is fairly simple and the pattern and all materials are provided for you, so all you have to do is come to the "Jabbershack" on Main Street in Cathlamet (next to the Hotel) on the first Friday of each month, from 1 to 2, and they'll get you all set up. Social distancing is being practiced and masks are required. The group will meet for the "Dress A Girl" project on November 6. They hope to see you there!

NEEDS A NEW SIGN--After many years of being exposed to the weather, the sign that is on the far left side of the locomotive at the Museum in Cathlamet, is in need of repair/replacement. This is approx. a 3 1/2 by 4 foot wooden sign which is getting very difficult to read. By any chance would someone be willing to use their skills to make another one? Or maybe we could all chip in a little bit and have a metal one made, which would then last much longer. If you're able to help out, with either idea, please give Kari Kandoll a call at 360-849-4353 and let's see if we can't get some new signage up for the historic "Six Spot" Locomotive!

CLOSURE--Just in case you didn't know, I thought I'd give you a little "heads up" as the Skamokawa Store is closed on Mondays now. With winter settling in, there's bound to be other time adustments to various businesses, so when in doubt, give them a call ahead of time so you won't be disappointed.

HALLOWEEN IS CLOSE AT HAND--Don't forget to check out all the special things going on around the area for Halloween. If you're reading this paper, or have Facebook, then you will probably have also seen where there will be "Neewollah Days" happening at the High School parking lot on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m., and on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m., the River of Life Assembly of God Church is having a "trunk or treat" in their parking lot. Then of course, the adults will be trying to win one of three televisions that the Duck Inn will give away at their Ninth annual Halloween Bash on Saturday night from 7 to 11 p.m. If you are going to be out driving around, be sure to be watchful of the many ghosts and goblins and other colorful creatures that may be out and about on Halloween night!