Sock Hop on Puget Island Saturday night

SPRING IS HERE--As this week begins, a lot of folks are hoping that now that Spring is officially arrived, we will see some much drier and warmer temperatures.While we may have begun this new season a bit on the damp side, the current forecast shows more dry days than wet, so we can only hope that holds true. It also shows the rainy weather may come back on Sunday but with only a 30 percent chance, we can hope it’s just a brief shower and won’t last long. Here’s to Spring and sunshine, which should make us all feel a lot cheerier and it will certainly make all the gardeners and outdoorsy folks much happier!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from March 24-30 are Sharyl Iblings, Makenzie Anderson, Jordyn Wirkkala, Jeri Foster, Peyton Helms, Dave Whitney, Daniel Rust, JoAnn Prestegard, Vance Miller Jr., Karl Johnson Jr., Jason Wallin Jr., John Elfers Sr., Alexis Nortrup, Sandi Cik, Phil Rolf, Aaliyah Montgomery, Leif Carroll, Judy Bates, Gordon Souvenir, Emily Tanksley, Pam Emery, Dawn Pedersen Maccione and 67er Melvin Brown.

Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Robby and Krista Fritzie, Joel and Pam Moore and Scott and Deanna Ahrndt. Here’s wishing all of you who are celebrating your special days this week, a wonderful, memorable day!

SOCK HOP--It sounds like a “blast from the past” will take place on Puget Island this Saturday evening, March 26, 5:30-8 p.m., as a “first in forever” event. Sounds like fun! Here’s hoping you’ll stop by the Bridge Church (formerly the Puget Island Grange Hall) on SR 409. This is a free event and thanks to Glenn Weist, who will spin the tunes, you’ll be able to enjoy some great music from the 1954-1964 era. We all know how great the music was then, and some great dances were held in this very same spot “back in the day.” It was one of my first actually! Anyway, you can bring in a beverage if you want, but absolutely no alcohol of course. We hope everyone has a good time and this sort of good clean fun and great exercise, will continue!

DONATIONS NEEDED--Mikayla Davis and Marisa Menning need our help. These young gals have taken part in the High School Rodeo since Fall, but in order to continue into the Spring, and help defer some of the cost, a fundraiser/big sale will be held to help them out. If you have any extra good, usable items of any variety, They’d love to take it off your hands so they can raise some money. Why not take those items you’re no longer using and give them to these gals for their fundraiser? You can contact their Moms and they will even come and pick those items up from you. Here are the numbers to call or text: Crystal Davis 360-560-4964 or even email: Crystaldavis_27@yahoo.com or Jennifer Menning at 360-430-8107; mj304199@gmail.com.

FLEA MARKET--On the second Saturday of this coming month, April 9, there will be the annual Flea Market at the Fairgrounds here in Skamokawa, from 9 to 3. If you’re new, the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds is just off of SR 4 at MP 29 in Skamokawa; there are signs coming from both directions. You can always sell a few things yourself by buying a table for $10 and as our Spring Cleaning season is upon us, you could make a few bucks. Contact Patty 360-795-3480 and leave a message.

NORSE HALL BINGO--That same evening, April 9 beginning at 6 p.m., you can head over to Puget Island to the Norse Hall, and check out the bingo games going on there. While the games begin at 6, the doors open at 5:30 p.m. The members of the Sons of Norway Lodge would love to see you there; cards are $5 each and cash prizes are awarded.

FRIENDS OF SKAMOKAWA--If you love older things and vintage things, then you’re going to want to come to Skamokawa and check out the Antique & Collectibles Exhibit being put on by the Friends of Skamokawa April 8, 9 and 10. This will be in the River Life Interpretive Center, which is located on the second floor of the historic Central School/Redmen Hall. (MP 29 on W SR 4.) If you’d like to take part in this event, or have any questions about it, be sure to call the hall at 360-795-3007.

EASTER FUN AT FAIRGROUNDS--On Friday evening, April 15, there will be Easter Bingo in the Youth Building beginning at 6 p.m. There are usually hot dogs and nachos for sale, too.

Then the following day, Saturday the 16th, it’s time to bring the kids down for the Lions Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt. It’s lots of fun and especially for those that find the “prize” eggs. Be there before 11 a.m., so when they start it up, you won’t be left with an empty Easter basket!

BOOK LOVERS--For those of you who love books, don’t forget to head to the Cathlamet Public Library, located to the right of the Cathlamet Market, on the upper level of that building, and check out their Book Sale. This will take place Friday, April 15 from 2 to 5 p.m., and then again on Saturday, April 16 from 12 to 4, so you’ll have a little extra time that day to shop around. If you have any questions, contact the library at 360-795-3254.

RUNNERS GET READY--If you like to run, you’ll want to get those running shoes on and be doing a bit of pre-training, as once again, the “38th Great White Tail Run” will take place. Registration is at Skamokawa Vista Park beginning at 8:30 a.m., on May 14. The race will begin at 10 a.m., and there are various categories and awards being handed out after you complete your race of choice through the Julia Butler Hansen National Refuge. The Wahkiakum 4-H Leaders Council, in conjunction with the WSU 4-H Youth Development Program would love to see you there to help support this great cause. Proceeds will stay here in the county. You can check it out online or call 360-795-8605 for more info.

MUD WRESTLING--Here’s some advance notice on another event being held at the Fairgrounds in Skamokawa on May 21. It’s a mud wrestling extravaganza! Gates will open at 2 p.m., and there is a cover charge of $3 each with children under five getting in free. Food and beverages will be available during all the action, so you can make an afternoon and evening of it! To top it off, if you would like to be a participant in this event, you can join all the fun for just a $10 entry fee, but you need to contact the fair office 360-795-3480 or call Marietta at 360-795-3675 or Shirley at 360-484-7274. It’s time to “mud it up!”

I know this is a ways away but advertising for these bigger events/fundraisers is a real must and we want to make sure we don’t have anybody saying that they’d have been there “if they’d only known!” We hope you’ll spread the word, and we’ll add more updates as the days go by.

LOSSES--There have just been so many losses lately and we are certainly thinking of those that have lost someone recently and send our deepest sympathies. Ben Elkinton's memorial was held this past Sunday, while I have yet to hear when Terry Bonny’s will be.

We also learned of the sudden passing of Randy Rodahl, from the WHS Class of 1981 and that was certainly a shocker. Many might have known him as a musician in the band, PLOUD, or as co-worker of his at Longview Fibre. Our deepest sympathies to all his family, which includes his sister Kim and life partner, Goldie Valentine.

As a reminder for those of you who knew former Puget Islander, Roger Peek, his ashes will be interned this Saturday, March 26 at 1 p.m., at Greenwood Cemetery.

OUT OF THE PAST--This week back in 1942, the weather was terrible with wind, rain, hail and downright cold. The gloomy weather matched the mood of the Jonas Pedersen family as seven year old Gerald Pedersen “aka PeWee” passed away on March 24. His parents were Arthur and Ona Pedersen, but Art had passed away when little Gerald was just seven months old. Sadly, Gerald died from complications of measles and pneumonia.

The rest of the week saw some wonderful sunshine and beautiful days with only a bit of rain that last evening. It was a good time for the Everests’ cow to have her twin calves, but sadly one didn’t make it. Ralph Everest was staying busy while the sun was shining as he was hauling city timbers to the water dam and plowing up the Drs.’ field to make a garden spot.

Winfred Harper stopped by to visit and Elsie Everest thought he looked pretty sharp in his Navy uniform. Eli D. sent pictures of service boys; himself, Allan J. and George Everest.

It was a good week to hold the Rebeccas’ District meeting and Grandma Elsie said they had a good time. She was happy to have a break as she’d been busy after a move to a different place and had been cleaning like crazy and oiling the floors! All this from my Grandma Elsie Everest's diary.