MIXED BAG--This past weekend wasn’t too bad compared to other ones and to other places who saw much more rain than we did in West Valley, so I was happy for the sunshine we received. Even this Monday started out a bit drippy but the blue skies that appeared by mid-day were quite enjoyable. Unfortunately they didn’t last, as more rain came in as the day progressed. The forecast is for a couple of drier days early in the week but by the time you read this, it looks to be a pretty soggy weekend. Like it or not, those April showers are lingering into May, but at least we shouldn’t have an early drought!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 5-11 are Lori Parke, Tami Bosch, Rosalie Webb, Josh Phelps, Stephanie Moonen, Rosie DeBriae, Nick Deal, Ashleigh Montgomery, Katherine E. Parker, Dave Hendrickson, Marckus Parker, Denise Peek, Trevor Gorley, Ashlenn Coleman, Ryan Lorenzo, Sawyer Peek, Kooper Fritzie, Adam Rose, Angela Dickson, Evan Quigley, Kerry Brown, Park Rusk, Ashley Rusk, Beau Silflow, Nicole Coleman and Mercedes Pedersen Wilder. Belated birthday wishes to Bob Cothren who celebrated his birthday this past Monday!

Those celebrating anniversaries this week are John and Sharon Buennagel, Mr. and Mrs. Monte Robinson, Gary and Sandie York, Lonney and Terry Kubacki and Jonas and BoFu Owen. Belated anniversary wishes go out to Kerry and Susan Brown who celebrated their special day yesterday, Wednesday May 4. May you all have wonderful birthday and anniversary celebrations.

CELEBRATING--If you’re getting this paper on Thursday, May 5, then I want to say a very happy Cinco De Mayo to you! If you’re one of those living far away and got your paper later, I hope you had a good time celebrating!

THIS FRIDAY--The annual Pie and Cupcake Social held by the GFWC, Cathlamet Woman's Club, will be held May 6 from 1 to 4 at Tsuga Gallery in Cathlamet. We hope you’ll help support this fundraiser as this group has been helping our community for decades, 90 plus actually, and we’d like to see these good works continue. If you’d like to provide a nice treat for someone, then you can buy a whole pie for $15 and really put a smile on their face. Pie by the slice is available as well, and of course, there’s lots of cupcakes to choose from, so stop by the Tsuga Gallery this Friday afternoon. Congratulations to this club for serving our community for these past 92 years!

MOTHER’S DAY--I’m sure that you know by now that this Sunday, May 8, is Mother’s Day, so we hope you’ve made some plans to treat your Mom real special. If you’re far away and unable to take her out to dinner, well, even a phone call will put a smile on her face and make her day. I’m sure all our local eateries will have a special dinner prepared for that day, so we hope you’ll support your local folks and make them and Mom happy! Here’s to all the Mothers out there: Happy Mother’s Day to you!

ROSBURG HALL--I’ve been asked to remind folks that on Mother’s Day, there will be the annual Chicken Dinner served by the members of the Rosburg Hall Community Club, which is one of their annual fundraising events for the hall. Dinner will be served from 11:30 to 1:30, and I can personally attest that it’s always very good, with a great salad bar and a wide array of homemade desserts, too!

FOOD DRIVE--I’ve been made aware of a possible food drive competition that may take place soon. My source says that the Jabber Shack in Cathlamet is starting a food drive, and was hoping that maybe a friendly competition between businesses would take place, so that’s interesting. I was asked to make folks aware of that possibility now, so you can all get ready to bring your non-perishable food items to your favorite place of business so they can be the “winner.” As of this writing, no exact time has been set up. I’ll keep you posted about this event, or if you’re in town, you might just ask the folks at the J.S. if this is indeed happening.

MAY 14--This is a big day around our area as we’ll have a Flea Market at the fairgrounds, and all walkers/runners will start off from the Vista Park area when they take part in the annual Great White Tail Run that day. While you have already missed the early deadline for registering for the race, you can still sign up that day beginning at 8:30 a.m., as the races begin at 10 a.m., with the awards to be given out around noon. Here’s hoping you get a decent day for this important fundraising event for the 4-H program based in Wahkiakum County.

That evening, you can head to Puget Island, where the Sons of Norway lodge members will hold bingo at the Norse Hall, with the doors opening at 5:30 p.m., and the games will begin at 6.

BEES ANYONE?--There appears to be a lot of interest in bees lately, and if you’ve been one of those people who have been asking about them and would like to know how to get started and take care of a colony of bees, here’s something just for you! On May 19 at 2 p.m., Bill Holmes will hold an “Introduction to Bee Keeping” seminar at the Skamokawa Grange Hall at 18 Fairgrounds Road. There is a $15 fee per family for this event, which Bill will then donate to the Community Breakfast that is held at the Grange Hall every Thursday from 10 to noon. Please spread the word, so all those bee enthusiasts can get first hand knowledge and ask questions from Mr. Holmes of “Wees Honey Bee Farm.” You can even register ahead of time by going to http://www.speakupwahkiakum.com.

CLASS GATHERING--The members of the WHS Class of 1967 will not only meet on May 14 for a no host lunch at the El Tapatio Restaurant in Rainier at 1 p.m., but they also plan to meet during Bald Eagle Days on July 16. All class members are asked to spread the word about meeting at the home of Dale Jacobson once again at 1:30 p.m., for a potluck gathering to celebrate their 55th class reunion.

ASK NOW--I have had many people say how much they enjoy reading the excerpts from my Grandma Elsie Everest's diaries and I’m so glad they enjoy them. I feel really blessed to have them and their insight into days gone by. Many folks in their later years finally start asking questions about their heritage and just who was who and where did they live and how and why did they wind up where they are, etc. Unfortunately, many of us wait too long to ask those questions, as those who had the answers, have either passed on or maybe they just no longer remember. Life is short, so I’m hoping you’ll ask questions now while you still have those people in your life to ask. If you’re able, why not make your own little notebook of things someone might want to know about you? You can start off small by getting a journal (or any other kind of notebook) and writing down all your favorite things and go from there. It may seem silly now, but trust me, in later years, the things you share now will be a pleasure to read later on; just like my Grandma Elsie's are to me.