CALMER--We were all very relieved to have a much calmer weather pattern this past weekend, which gave us some milder temperatures and some sunshine and also some awesome sunrises and sunsets. After the snow and the relentless rainfall and flooding, this break was definitely appreciated. The current weather forecast for a drier weekend also suggests much colder temperatures, so we'll have to keep an eye out for the possibility of temperatures falling into the freezing category.

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Jan. 20-26 are Sharon Buennagel, Trinity Thompson, Sharon Schmitz, Kaylyn Kaattari, Kasey Tomlinson, Sherry Ostling, Shanna Havens, Chris Danker, Bailey Danker, Teagan Miller, Annie Watters, Bill Olsen, Brandon Burdick, Linda Seaberg, Jessie Fritzie Collins, Jolene Wright, Baylee Olsen, LeeAnn Bonds, Wayne Cochran, Kyli Prestegard, Leslie Sullivan, Jody Baccellieri, Lori Wika, Cindy Elmore, Shayna Hendrickson, Koda James Clark, Shirley May Toney, Elizabeth Frink, Annelise Vik, Cameron Lindsey, Francis Boldt, Pearl Blackburn and Cindi Pedersen.

Celebrating their anniversary this coming week are Michael and Nikki Danker. Have a wonderful celebration.

RETIRING--We were saddened to learn of the closing of one of our local businesses, "Skamokawa Gardens," as I'm truly going to miss those big, beautiful flower baskets that I have enjoyed every Spring. However, we want to wish owner/operator, Danny Silverman, a very happy retirement as after more than 30 years in this business, he truly deserves a break. We wish him only the best as he enjoys his well deserved retirement, but we're still going to miss him!

NOT MUCH TIME--We're getting close to the end of the warm clothing drive, so if you haven't already donated, you've only got until the end of the month to do so. Once again, the "Gift of Warmth" donation barrels are at the brewery down by the marina and the Puget Island Fire Hall. All items that help fight the cold would be appreciated so here's hoping those warm winter coats might be accompanied by some good gloves, hats and scarves. With a little luck, there will be plenty of variety for everyone, which of course includes items for men, women, boys and girls of all ages.

YOGA--In case you didn't know, there are weekly Yoga classes being held at the Skamokawa Resort conference room on Wednesday evenings. This room is located behind the General Store here in Skamokawa and the classes are held by Lisa Burk at 6 p.m. You are asked to bring your own mat and arrive 10 minutes early so you can get all set up. Cost is $15 and cash or Venmo payment is accepted. For those who like to have an actual address to put into your maps app, it's location is 1391 W SR 4; milepost 29 here in Skamokawa.

GRANGE OKAY--I have been asked if the Skamokawa Grange Hall got water inside of it during this last flooding event and I am happy to say that according to Becky Ledtke, it did not. Years ago, we not only had the Grange flood once, but twice with the water marks still on the swinging doors, so while you may have thought this was a bad flood, I can assure you, it wasn't nearly as bad as the ones we've had before.

COMMUNITY BREAKFAST--Speaking of the Grange hall, located at 18 Fairgrounds Road, if there are no weather events to prevent it, a Community Breakfast is served there on Thursdays from 10 a.m. until noon. I've been told that a lot of new folks are stopping by and having a cup of coffee (bring your favorite mug) and meeting their new neighbors and finding out about the area. It's like the good old days where people could come together and just chat for a bit, so if you're inclined to check that out, the invitation is there. Questions? Ask: SpeakUpWahkiakum@gmail.com. This is happening at the Grange but not by the Grange.

GREAT PICS--Those of us who are living in this area have been treated to some absolutely stunning sunrises and sunsets lately, and thanks to Rene Westbrook starting a Facebook page dedicated to photography, we have been able to enjoy a very wide array of fabulous photos. It is awesome to see the various views of the same sunset from different perspectives and angles as what one sees in Altoona is not quite the same as one might see on Puget Island or from the hills around Cathlamet, but one thing is constant, they are all beautiful and we truly appreciate those capturing such magnificent spectacles in the sky. While we may differ in opinions of many things, we all are in agreement when it comes to realizing what wonderful views we are treated to on a regular basis. Kudos to all the fantastic photographers as many of your works have been simply stunning! Maybe you will get some of those printed out and entered in our county fair in mid-August.

FAIR DATES--The Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds is located in Skamokawa and the fair will be held August 18, 19 and 20 this year. There will be fair books printed at a later date and you will see a wide variety of ways that you can participate by entering things in the fair, as well as just helping out. You might want to keep that in mind as it can be a great way for you and your kids to make a little extra money from all those entries you make, as well as just taking part and meeting new members in your community.

EXTRA CARE--You may or may not have thought about this already but in case you haven't, during this time of colds and flu and other things, it is being advised that not only should we wash our sheets weekly, but the pillowcases we are using, should be changed daily! Wow, who knew? It really makes sense as our mouths and noses are on those pillowcases all night long and when we're ill, we would deposit germs on them the entire time we're sleeping. This could possibly be the reason you're not getting better sooner, as we are just making ourselves sick every time we snuggle into our very own germy pillows at night, yuck! I'm not sure if I'd do the daily change out while I'm well, but certainly might if I was sick. Anyway, just a little food for thought from the health officials who have recently brought this to the public's attention and asked folks to spread the word.

OUT OF THE PAST--This week back in 1941, the week began cold but clear so it was really pretty outside but after a few days, it warmed up and then rained. After a couple of wet days, it was decent that Sunday but then the following day, Jan. 26, it was very nasty with lots of wind and rain. It was this week that the Daylight Savings bill was passed. There was a Defense School being held in Cathlamet and many were attending. The Everests, Healys and Wests attended that first night and they all learned a lot, as well as giving them plenty of information to ponder. The West Coast was warned of a possible submarine attack. The California coast had a four hour black out that week. A Japanese aircraft carrier was torpedoed by a U.S. sub. Sea battles were raging and Australia was making ready for an attack. Carol Pedersen arrived home from Astoria on the bus where she'd spent a couple nights sitting up with her brother-in-law Peder Pedersen who was in the hospital there with severe pneumonia. Thankfully he was a little better.

In 1952, the week began with a cold snowy rain that lasted a couple of days before it turned to snow. Elsie Everest used some of this nasty weather time to send out some cards: anniversary card to the Wests (37 years) and a note to Blanche Bradley, as well as notes to Inez Davis and Ruby Hanigan and a special birthday card and newspaper clipping to her youngest son R. Marshall Jr. back east while oldest son, George, turned 37 that week.

It was a sight to behold on the Columbia River this week when two sternwheelers raced each other to the delight of a massive crowd. The 40 year old sternwheeler named the "Henderson" took on the much younger "Portland" and much to the delight of all the old-timers, their prediction of a win by the much older vessel came true as she crossed the finish line a whole length ahead of her rival. The 3.6 mile race took 19 minutes and 2 seconds with a speed of 11.3 knots or (13.2 miles per hour) to the delight of its Captain, Mr. "Happy" Harris. It also brought a rounding cheer from all the movie stars that were in Portland for the filming of "Bend of the River," which included Jimmy Stewart and Rock Hudson. Their presence alone had brought an estimated 10,000 movie fans which caused a pedestrian and traffic nightmare for the city. All this according to my Grandma Elsie's diaries.