STILL CHILLY/DAMP--The first half of May has certainly been on the damper side of things, which has been fairly disappointing. We had such heavy rain squalls on Sunday, that it took out all reception from the satellite, and of course, really hammered my poor flowers. They say we are supposed to be drying up a bit, so maybe we’ll get a couple of nice days this Friday and Saturday; certainly would be nice!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 19-25 are Kris Parke, Tayler Stornetta, Mitch Moonen, Julie McKinley, Bryson Havens, Elle Britt, Mike Phelps, Jon Peterson, Lexi Grasseth, Courtney Helms, Makayla Holland, Travis Heagy, Kevin Wirkkala, Tina Vincent, Scarlet Engle, Bonnie Bigler, Bill Faubion, Kolbi Robinson, Nathaniel Danker, Natalie Emery Wise, Tiernan Cochran, Kelly Hammond, Julie Black, Lainie Ferguson, Brenda Nielson, Deanna Ahrndt, Mary Jo Brown, Katrina Pedersen Freeman and Brandon Chamberlain. Belated birthday wishes to Bonnie LaDoe who celebrated her special day this past Sunday!

Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Deal, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Faubion, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Danker, Mr. and Mrs. George Silva and Mr. and Mrs. Rusty Kiest.

CONGRATS--We have a new addition to our birthday list as grandparents Gladys and Jay Mace are showing off pictures of little Miss Ivy Lee Tover who came into this world earlier this month, May 3. She weighed six pounds and two ounces and was 19 inches long. She joins two sisters and her Mom, Kalisha Mace and Dad Roger Tover, couldn’t be happier with their latest addition! Congratulations to the happy family!

TODAY/THURSDAY--If you get this paper early enough, you’ve still got time to head to the Skamokawa Grange Hall at 18 Fairgrounds Road and enjoy the free Community Breakfasts. Come on down between 10 a.m., and noon and meet your neighbors and have your kids make new friends while they share a treat or two. If you bring a goodie to share, that would be awesome as well.

Also at the Grange Hall today, May 19, is the “Introduction to Bee Keeping” presented by Bill Homes from Wees Bees Honey Farm, which was established in 1906, so I believe they know what they’re talking about! This presentation will take place at 2 p.m., and costs $15 per family, with all proceeds being donated back to the community breakfast; nice!

MUD WRESTLING--Here’s hoping you get to the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds in Skamokawa this Saturday as “Mud Wrestling” has come to town! The gates will be open at 2 p.m., so you can enjoy some food and beverages before the “muddy fun” and action begin at 4 p.m. The cost is $3/person with children five and under free. Come and check it all out; it’s bound to be a real hoot!

CRK--If you’d like to glide around on the waterways around here, be sure to contact “Columbia River Kayaking” who are based out of Skamokawa at 957 Steamboat Slough Road. The office is located at Suite #1 on the left side of the Skamokawa Landing building. There is even a great beginners tour, or just an easy going tour, happening this Saturday, May 21, so if you’d like to be a part of that, be sure and give them a call ASAP at 360-747-1044, or book online at their website: http://www.columbiariverkayakingcom/.

ORDER BERRIES NOW--The Wahkiakum Lions Club is once again selling fresh strawberries but they are coming in a different style than previously, as it used to be in 10 lb. buckets. This year they will be offered in two ways. You can get a dozen, 24 ounce containers, equaling 18 pounds for $56, or you can get two dozen, 16 ounce containers, which equals 24 lbs., for $76. This way you aren’t dealing with “buckets” of berries, but much smaller and more convenient containers. You need to order by May 30, with delivery happening on June 4. When you put in your order, you will need to specify where you want to pick up your berries, Cathlamet or Skamokawa. In Cathlamet, the berries must be picked up at the high school that day at 11 a.m., and for those choosing Skamokawa, in the back parking lot of the fairgrounds at 11:30 a.m. Please call Renee 360-849-4003 or Carol 360-795-3337 to order or for more info.

SENIOR LUNCHES--According to Theresa Kuljis, the Senior Lunch program will once again be available at the Hope Center in Cathlamet. So, as of Thursday June 2, and every Thursday after that, the center will serve lunch to those who are over 60 years of age. The cost is by donations and is served at noon. If you need more information, call Tammy at CAD: 360-425-3430 Ext. 240.

JUNE THIRD/BIG MARKET--Deb Holland wants you to know that beginning June 3, and every Friday until Sept. 2, you can come to the Elochoman Slough Marina and enjoy a wonderful Farmer’s Market and Trunk Sale event. This takes place from 3-6 p.m., each Friday. Not only are there some of the tried and true vendors, but there are some new ones as well, so whether you love some fresh honey, or those homemade soaps, hand-carved wooden items, jewelry or fresh homemade cupcakes, or plants and more, they would love to have you come down and check them out. Don’t forget, the days are flying by and this is a good time to check out and support your local folks and stick away a few of these unique items for Christmas.

CAR SHOW SOON--It will be time to head back to Skamokawa on June 4 when the fairgrounds will be full of cars, as it will be the Wahkiakum County Fair's Third Annual “Cruizin to the Fair” event! If you register early, by May 27, the cost is only $20 and with a T-shirt, it’s $35 and the day of show registration will be $5 more. Call Patty at the fairgrounds at 360-795-3480 or Ms. K. Walters at 360-795-3937.

CORRECTION--Last week I mentioned that the Class of 1972 will hold their 50th Class Reunion at the covered area at the Elochoman Slough Marina in August. The only thing is, I was given the wrong date! Anyway, this reunion will take place on Aug. 20, which is a Saturday, and all of you in the WHS Class of 1972 are urged to help share the date. For more information, you can contact Darlene Almer at: darlenea@aol.com.

CLASS OF 1967 MEETS--Some members of the WHS Class of ‘67 got together this past weekend for a little lunch and gab session. Besides our usual group, we also had Sandi Firkus Quigley there and also Marcia Rich Hage, who had moved away in the fifth grade! We certainly had a good time catching up on all the latest news.

We hoped to do a little more planning for our 55th reunion, but while we agreed we’d have it at the home of Dale Jacobson on July 16 at 1:30, we soon lost focus when we found out that two of those present would be moving far away and would not be attending; dang! So sadly, we won’t be seeing Sharon McKie at our reunion this year, but we were sure happy that we got to see her at this luncheon. We also won’t get to celebrate her birthday with her, as the reunion date and her birthday was one and the same!

Another classmate who has been a real leader in all things regarding the Class of ‘67, is Elaine Munson Rolf. We were very surprised to learn that she and husband, Phil, are packing up and moving to Texas as soon as they close on the selling of their home. They will head there to be closer to Elaine’s daughter, Kim and her family and so Elaine will definitely be getting her “grandma fix” while she’s there!

PUGET ISLAND SALE--Some of you are asking about the big three day sale that happens on Puget Island, so here’s the info. Please help spread the word so everyone knows when it is and who to call! PIGYS, Puget Island Garage and Yard Sale, will take place June 24, 25 and 26. The person in charge of this event is Sandie York and she can be reached by calling 360-795-0328. There is a small fee to get added to the map that is handed out as shoppers converge on the Island that day, so please contact Sandie ASAP if you want to take part.