NICE, THEN SOGGY--It was certainly nice to enjoy some sunshine this last Friday and Saturday, as it was a much needed break that gave the high waters time to recede and gave all the outdoor lovers a time to stroll or bike in some dry conditions, awesome! I think we often take nice days for granted, so when they show up after a week of steady rains and nothing but dark gloomy skies, those bright, clear skies and sunshine are really appreciated that much more! The coming week looks a bit wet, with even some blustery winds and minor flooding, but then again, it's January and well, it beats the snow that is bombarding the UK or Spain right now!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from January 14-20 are Bruce McClain, Joey Moore, Jan Silvestri, Russ Durrah, Elaine Robinson, Brittney Robbins Haddix, Randy Rodahl, Veronica Wallin, Ashley Turner, Trystan Mendez, Shanna Havens, Christopher Danker, Jerod Moore, Holly Pedersen, Shane Pedersen, Reese Noelle Brown, Bernice Tover Ellison who will be celebrating #95, and 67'er Enid Martin Fountain.

I can't believe I forgot to list one of our most distinguished county resident's birthday in my column last week, as Tom Irving turned 98 earlier this week. Congrats to him! Sorry about that Tom, hope you had a great day! Tom has made some awesome quilts and is still going strong making his fabulous socks. Go Tom!

Those celebrating their anniversaries this coming week are Mr. and Mrs. Bob Ohrberg, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Bergseng, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Holt and Holly and Chris Norton. Enjoy your special days, everybody!

GET WELL--To all those dealing with your various health issues, from Covid to pneumonia to surgical recoveries, we certainly wish you the speediest of healing. I know we had all hoped that once 2020 came to an end, nothing but good things were coming our way for 2021, but sadly, that just hasn't worked out so well for everyone. For those who believe in the power of prayer and have a circle of friends that you've asked to keep you in their thoughts and prayers, well, I hope their prayers will be answered as some folks have had more than their share of bad news and misery lately.

To those of you who I know have received some good health news lately, as in "cancer free" and "recovered from Covid," I cannot say how thrilled I am at hearing this news, as we certainly have needed some! Hooray to SC and her daughter, and ML and KL, and NS as well. They know who they are. Congrats!

HOLIDAY--Don't forget, this coming Monday, Jan. 18, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so some of the places that are usually open on a Monday, will be closed. If you need to go to the bank or to the post office or other government building, be sure to plan accordingly and either do that today or tomorrow, or you'll have to be waiting until Tuesday to finish up that business.

FLEA MARKET--The second Saturday of each month the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds is the site of their usual monthly Flea Market, so mark Feb. 13 on your calendar, so you won't miss the next one. Remember, you can rent a table for $10 and they are set up in the Youth Building; tables will be spaced apart in accordance to current regulations and masks required during the event which lasts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Leave a message on the Fair's phone if you're interested in renting a table 360-795-3480.

WAAG FUND RAISER--The Wahkiakum Animal Advocates Group or WAAG, will hold their first big event, which is a Pet Food Drive on January 30 at the Puget Island Fire Station located on SR 409. The group will be there from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and they will be collecting food, as well as anything else pet related that you may no longer need, or your pet just doesn't like anymore. If you have pet beds, or collars and leashes, or kitty litter or toys or absolutely anything pet related, you can donate it. It doesn't have to be brand new, gently used is fine. If you'd like to make a cash donation, you can just stop by the Bank of the Pacific and drop it off there or you can mail a check to P.O. Box 231, Cathlamet 98612.

I mentioned getting a scanner (chip reader) for the group in last week's column, and I found out that they can be purchased quite reasonably, so your donations could make that happen as well. Sure saves having to take these animals many miles away, as well as a lot of time, to see a vet.

WAHKIAKUM 4-H--Did you know that our local 4-H group is having their enrollment period right now? That can be done online and I understand they have a much easier site and process now. If you still need help, call our local extension office at 360-795-3278 and Donna Westlind will help you out. You can also contact her via email: donna.westlind@wsu.edu.

Also, the Wahkiakum 4-H group is on Facebook and you can find out all about their "Social Hour" time, which allows members to keep in touch and share games, etc. So if you're looking to have your kids join a really good, positive group that helps them stay busy, as well as learn invaluable work skills to carry them through adulthood, this is a good one!

LOOKING AHEAD--We've got a month to go before Valentine's Day but why not plan now to take part in a great program called Valentine's for Vets? Just check out your area's Veterans' Hospitals online and have your group or class, mail some Valentines to those who served our country and may not be getting much mail these days. Please do not use any glitter when you are making these cards as that stuff gets everywhere and it's definitely not a good thing for a hospital setting, so just plain stickers or something as simple as some red hand-drawn hearts with a short message thanking them for their service will work just fine!

OUT OF THE PAST--Here are a few highlights from January 75 years ago: The year started out at midnight, and half the town of Cathlamet was in "Lobby Hall" at the big dance to bring in the New Year. Elsie Everest attended with Mrs. Shamley and they didn't get home and to bed until 3:30 a.m., but Grandma Elsie had to be back up and on the telephone board by 10 a.m., so it was a short night. She did her usual work there on the board, then made dinner and did book work in the office until after 10 p.m. The new year was a busy one for her. Sadly, one of the calls that came in was for an ambulance for Mrs. A. Petersen of Skamokawa, who passed away on the way to the hospital, and many more calls were fielded by operators regarding her passing.

Some shocking news from England came in when a U.S. Soldier's wife gave birth to a "two headed baby." It was a rare moment in medical history.

President of the Dipnet Smelt Fishermen's Co-operative, Krist Pedersen, of Puget Island, announced that all charges filed against the group by the federal trade commission had been settled. Supposedly the group had been monopolizing the docks on the Cowlitz River and fixing prices on smelt. However, this was all found to be untrue with the docks open to all and prices set by the OPA. All was well and smelt were already coming into the Columbia River and those fishing near Puget Island were already having success in catching them. With that being said, KP brought home fresh smelt for his in-laws, the Ralph Everests, for dinner that night!

There was a bad telephone strike going on at that time and no installation workers or operators would pass picket lines, so supervisors were handling the calls. Luckily, there were not many problems in Cathlamet, but the Portland area was practically silenced. To top things off, there was a paper strike in Seattle but even when it got settled, they had no telephone or bus servcies. Elsewhere, there was a steel strike; all going on in January!

Locally, Leona Doumit Boyer gave birth to a baby girl on Jan. 9; they named her Jane. Elizabeth Doumit, who was legislative chairman for the Business and Professional Women's club, led a discussion at the meeting that month about minimum wage scale for women and minors. The group held their meeting at the home of Helen Anders and was happy to initiate four new members: Mrs. Herbert H. Springer, Floy Cuddy, Dona Murphey and Alice Snyder. Besides the women already listed, attending that day were Veva Stamper, Mrs. Johnnie Fuss, Josephine Erp, May Watkins, Leona Quarles, Creta Lee, Elsie Everest, Rose Taylor, Phoebe Olsen and Nevada Shamley.

All this according to my Grandma Elsie Everest's 1946 diary.