BRR--As we woke up this past weekend, it was below freezing in West Valley and we even got to see a bit of snow and “graupel”; those tiny snowballs which I used to lump into the category of just hail. Anyway, it was cold and definitely not a time to be without an extra layer of clothing or bedding! Some areas along SR4 on Sunday morning had folks slipping and sliding and saying it was a “sheet of ice” as some folks even met with a trip to the ditch. It’s just a reminder that winter has just begun and we are a long ways from enjoying those warm days in the sunshine. For now, I’d settle for some dry days that they say are coming; fingers crossed!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Jan. 26-Feb.1, are Kaylyn Kaattari, Pearl Blackburn, Sherry Ostling, Becky Thacker, Brandon McClain, Sam Tarabochia, Cindy Elmore, Annelisse Vik, Gary York, Kristie Andreas-Donias, Troy Gorley, Don Claussen, John Elfers Jr., Sean Masters, Francis Boldt, Mike Nollan, Nicholas Kubacki, Pamela Everest Priestly and my youngest grandson, Luke Sechler. Here’s to wonderful birthday celebrations to each and every one of you!

TAKE CARE--We seem to have an abundance of folks who have either fallen, had to have surgery, are sick with one thing or another, or have been in a car accident and I hope you know that we are wishing speedy recoveries for each of you. Some folks hate to have their name mentioned when it comes to falls and accidents, so I’m refraining from doing so, but just know that there are a lot of folks pulling for you and hope you take it easy so you’ll be able to recover more quickly!

CRAB FEED--If you’re holding tickets to the Crab and Oyster Feed in Rosburg, then this is the Saturday to enjoy a great feast and fun time at the Rosburg Community Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m., and don’t forget to bring your own cracking tools, oyster shuckers and any special dipping sauces you enjoy. Here’s hoping you all have a good time and a bit of good luck as you try to win one of the prizes they have set up for you to win.

BIGFOOT BOOGIE--Please don’t forget to head to the Skamokawa Grange Hall this Saturday afternoon from 3-4:30 p.m., for the first dance session of the year which will get your body moving and your blood pumping as you dance to the music! You don’t need a partner to take part in this “Bigfoot Boogie” event as this is just a nice fun and yet therapeutic way to do your body some good. General admission is $10 but if you’re over 65 it’s just $5.

FAST APPROACHING--Don’t forget that that Feb. 4 will be a double treat day in Skamokawa, as there will be a Lasagna Dinner from 1-4 p.m., and that evening will be some fun-filled Valentine Bingo! Doors open at 5:30 at the Youth Building, where you can check out the prizes, buy some tickets for the special prize of the evening and enjoy a snack or two before the games begin at 6 p.m. These events are sponsored by the Wahkiakum Fair Foundation, so we hope you’ll come out for a good time and support the fair.

SONS OF NORWAY--All bingo lovers should circle the second Saturday of the month on your calendars, as that’s when the Norse Hall is open to all to come and play bingo. The doors open at 5:30 with games at six and they’d just love to see you win some of those cash prizes!

GREAT SURPRISE--Susan Schillios was the guest of honor at a surprise retirement party held this past Saturday evening on her behalf and she was definitely surprised! Instead of just going out of town for a quiet dinner, she pulled up to son Erik’s house and was met with a very large group of family and friends and, “surprise” was an understatement! With her three kids, Jake, Erik and Kari and their spouses, Haeden, Marissa and Sam, doing all the planning and cooking, they had quite the feast laid out for the group and it was enjoyed by all. Susan's sister, Katie (Pete) Sechler worked her magic with multiple trays of goodies which are always a vision of delicious-ness and tasty too, so the whole evening was a big hit. We want to wish Susan a very “Happy Retirement.”

NICE VISITS--I got to have a nice gab over breakfast this past Sunday with my son and daughter-in-law, Pete and Katie Sechler, who’d come down from Seattle for the weekend (and above party) and they certainly enjoyed the quietness of Puget Island during their stay here. Nothing like a little time along the ole stomping grounds of Welcome Slough to put a person at ease I guess.

While I was already out and about, I headed up to see my former classmate, Pam Lazor, who happened to be in town and we had a nice long visit. Being able to gab in person sure beats emails and texts! The sad part about Pam’s visit was that she’d come from her home in Oregon to attend the funeral services of Sue Garn, who passed away suddenly. Again, our condolences to the family and her dear friends as well.

LIGHTS--With these short, dark, rainy and foggy days, I’m seeing folks drive around with no headlights on, and I don’t get it! It’s really up to each of us to make ourselves as visible as possible to other drivers so that we can avoid pulling out in front of you because your dark car just blends into the pavement and we just flat can’t see you. I mean, who wouldn’t want to avoid an accident if possible? Driving defensively means making yourself visible and the easiest way to do that is to flip that light switch on. The life you save may be your own!

OUT OF THE PAST--This week back in 1948, the 26th through 28th were just “lovely” days but then on Jan. 29, the rain and fog came back in and it got cold and nasty and it even snowed on the last day of January. Surprisingly, the first day of February was just beautiful; what a change!

Ed and Lillie Cornell had told the Everests about a movie that was filmed while they happened to be at a beach they were on, so they not only got to see the actual snapshots of Van Johnson and the beach setting, but then they got to go to the movie and see the whole thing; it was all real good. (No mention of the name of the movie though; bummer)

On January 30, Mohandas K. Gandhi was killed by rebels. The world mourned his passing. On this same day, Orville Wright, inventor of the airplane, died.

On the last day, Ralph Pedersen (Ralphie) and “Corkie” Prestegard washed all the windows at the Everest home and then brought up the wash from the basement. This was when the Everests lived below the telephone office that was located on Main Street in Cathlamet. Grandma Everest had a miserable cold and was happy to have the boys help! The good news that week was that Jean Shane, sister of Elsie Everest, was doing much better now and the health crisis seemed to be subsiding.

All this according to my Grandma Elsie (Walker) Everest's 1948 diary.