NOT BAD--After some morning cloudiness, last Saturday turned out pretty decent although I still think the wind was a tadbit chilly, but then I suppose it all depended on where you were. Sunday morning was a different story as it was all wet when I got up and we had misty and/or cool conditions most of the day.

The upcoming Memorial weekend was looking wet but the latest weather models are showing a much improved outlook, so let's hope that holds as it would certainly be nice to have a dry weekend, but it looks like we'll have to get through some more wet days prior to that happening. It is still Spring afterall, so I guess we can expect it to "spring a leak" now and then, and we truly can use the rain!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 27 - June 2, are Serene Snow, Justin Rainey, Benjamin McClain, Wes McClain, Asher Frink, Sharon Hart, Patti LaBerge, Mark Schubert, Marilyn West, Willie Johnson, Lisa Marsyla, Brooks Olsen, Denley Bardsley, Al Bergseng, Amy Knowles, Stephanie Prestegard, Tyler Nortrup, Brian Swanson, Barb Bain, Gary Emery, Annika Vik, Terry Vik, Justin Lindsey, Jill Havens, Mark Olson, Gale Luthi, Tracy Cleveland, Katie Vegvary, Rena Morris, Jeanne Paulsen, Brooklynn Blain, Lisa Sechler, Brian Good, Arnie Good and 67'ers Linda Holland Toste and Mike Hicks!

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Sharon and BJ Servis, Bill and Linda Mahitka, Pete and Marja Ringen, Tony and Carol Danker, Zak and Amy Everman, Scott Kennedy and Eva Snow and Robert and Karla Kyle. May all of your birthday and anniversary celebrations be filled with fun, laughter and lasting memories.

MARKET BEGINS--The Farmers Market at the Elochoman Slough Marina in Cathlamet begins this Friday, May 28, so head there in the afternoon (4 p.m.) and check out all the vendors. There's always a very wide variety of things available to buy. Fingers crossed for a nice day!

MEMORIAL WEEKEND--On the last Monday in May, we observe the federal holiday which is Memorial Day. This is a day that is set aside for honoring and mourning those service members which died in the performance of their duties in all branches of the armed forces of the United States. While most folks use this as a three day weekend to enjoy going to the beach or having friends over for a barbecue, please don't forget the true meaning of this upcoming day on May 31, as those that have fallen serving our country, should never be forgotten.

TUESDAY--On June 1, and every Tuesday actually, there is a Farmer's Market in Skamokawa at the Wahkiakum Co. Fairgrounds, inside the cow barn area, so it's nice and covered, and rain or shine, there will be vendors there. From plants to soaps to handmade towels and aprons, etc., you can find it there, so come on down about 4 p.m., and check it out. Vendors are always coming and going, so you never know who will be there.

THE NEXT WEEKEND--The first weekend in June the car show will be held. Head to the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds to see all those hot rods, as "Cruizin' to the Fair" is coming to town! You can "ooh and ahh" and enjoy the show and enjoy a bite to eat as well, so don't miss it. Tell your friends too and be down here in Skamokawa on June 5!

DONATIONS NEEDED--The Puget Island Fire Dept. Auxilliary group is looking for donations for the upcoming PIGYS (Puget Island Garage and Yard Sale) happening June 25-27. So, if you'd like to clean house a bit, without the hassle of having a sale yourself, and help a worthy cause, here's your chance. If you have good, reusable and desirable items, please call Sherrill Bollen at 360-951-3985 or Liz Beutler at 360-200-2247 as they would truly love to accept your donations for the PIFD!

In case you hadn't heard, this sale takes place on Puget Island every year (except last year) and it's a big hit with the surrounding communities and of course, with all those who are trying to do a little Spring cleaning and make a few bucks as well. For a small fee, you will be included on the map and you'll get a sign that will mark your house as one of the participants of this event. For all the info, etc., you will need to contact Sandie York at 360-795-0328 or 360-430-0951.

FAIR ROYALTY?--The Wahkiakum County Fair takes place August 19-21. As is the custom, there is a "royal court" so you are being asked to jump in there and be on this year's fair court. It would be fun! To find out all about it, you'll need to contact the fair manager at 360-795-3480 and leave a message if you're interested. The fair book will soon be out so if you are thinking about entering something to make a little extra cash, you'll need that book so you can see what bracket you are in and all the rules and regulations for that particular item.

If you'd like to help out the fair in some way, there's always a need for ticket takers or clean up people, superintendents for different buildings, etc., so leave your name at the number above and let them know what and where you'd be willing to help. It's a great way to meet new folks as well!

GO MULES--Our mighty Mules teams have been doing really well lately, so we want to give them a big pat on the back for working hard and pulling out these wins, and we want to continue to give them our support. Go Mules Go! Keep up the good work!

AUCTION BEGINS TODAY--Speaking of Mules, don't forget that the Wahkiakum Dollars for Scholars online auction starts today, so we hope you've gotten all linked in and are ready to bid away! You have until June 13 to get those bids submitted. For more info about all of that, contact Diane Tischer: 360-562-6467.

CONGRATS--A hearty congratulations to one of our own, as Shona Heywood recently received her degree from Missouri State University, so kudos to her! It's always great to see the local kids excelling and going places, and we know her folks, Duncan and Heidi are very proud of her and her accomplishments!

DETOURS/SUGGESTION--For those of you who are fairly new to the area, you may have noticed that during times of accidents or slides, that the main hwy. (SR 4) can get closed down and alternative routes are suggested. The thing is, you may not know that there are alternative routes on this side of the river that you can take, rather than only having the ferry as an option. Most everyone has a phone with a map app, or a computer, so it might be wise to check out those during a time when you don't need them, and better yet, on a nice day, just take a little drive and try them out so you're more comfortable with them. There are some areas where there is just no way around a wreck or slide, so the ferry is indeed your only option, so another thing you should probably learn is where the mile post markers are, so that if someone lists that, like on FB, you'll know just what you can do or can't do, and just how you can or maybe can't, bypass it.

Example: if you were leaving Longview and headed west, and there was an incident east of Stella and you had to turn around, you would go back towards Longview and turn left at that first major intersection. It's the one with the light there on Coal Creek Road. You would then go up to the first road, called Harmony Drive, and turn left onto it. I won't list the step by step turns you need to take because you can look it up, but mostly you want to be looking for signs that say "Stella Road" and that will get you back on SR 4 on the west side of Stella. There are two options by the way, one brings you down by the museum and one brings you down Germany Creek Rd. Again, it might be a fun drive to check these out during the daylight hours so you get accustomed to the area as I don't suggest exploring in the dark!

If there is an incident between Cathlamet and Mill Creek Road ( just east of County Line Park), there's a way to get from the Elochoman Valley Road, just west of Cathlamet, and over Beaver Creek Road and then come down onto Mill Creek and then SR 4 again. This is a much more traveled area and much easier to navigate, but again, much better to check out during the day. Hopefully you will be able keep your map app handy and your fuel gauge on the fuller side, just in case you make a wrong turn! At any rate, it might give you a reason to explore the area and you might at least be able to get around a trouble spot if it was really necessary.

OUT OF THE PAST--This week back in 1946, the first several days were wet and nasty. Then there was a transition day that just saw a bit of mist, and the next day warmed up but due to the recent rains, was quite muggy. The last two days of the week were dry and nice with one of them being quite hot actually. The gloomy days matched the mood of the Krist Pedersen household, as the youngest, David, fell in the bathtub and split his chin open, while the older two were feeling sick and confined to their beds with bad stomach pains. Avis Walker called and it seems George took a fall and broke some ribs; not a good week! The telephone board was super busy and soon they would be short one helper as it was "Bev's" last day on May 27. The following day, Raymond and Alva Anderson had a baby girl which only weighed four pounds, so everyone was concerned about her. Aunt Nellie Haslan turned 87 that day while Donna Ray turned 16. On the last day of May, it seems 2000 sailors were in Astoria off decommissioned ships along with 400 fishermen. Things were worse than during the war! The movie, "A Song to Remember" was playing in Cathlamet.Elsie Everest said it was very good but also very sad.

June began on a hot note and with the telephone board being down one, it was time to bring in family to help out, so while her Dad watched her sons, Carol Everest Pedersen worked on the board for the next couple of days; it was very busy. Marian Everest Healy picked up Ralphie Pedersen and along with the rest of the family, they all went to Long Beach and dug clams. That evening, Ellen Foster, Mary Ann Risk and Elsie Everest all headed to the show.

Mrs. Clarence Page was feeling mighty proud, as her nephew, Glenn Patton, who started out going to school in Cathlamet, graduated from Washington State "College" in Pullman that year. He had an oustanding academic record and won several awards and was one of 14 to graduate with the highest honors out of 342 others. He had lived with his aunt since he was a small boy and would be coming back home for awhile before leaving for Minneapolis, MN. He had accepted a fellowship at the University of Minnesota and while studying for his masters degree, would be teaching history and art there.

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