STILL WINTER--If you live in my neck of the woods, you woke this past Sunday, Feb. 26, with no power and lots of snow on the ground. The snow was very pretty but as the “dusting” of predicted snow turned into several inches, my enjoyment started to wane just a bit. Couple that with trees falling down and taking out power lines, which affected many over Ingalls Road, West Valley Road and along SR 4 from the rock pit to KM, that was not exactly welcomed. A big “thank you” to PUD crews for coming out once again and fixing a mess along Ingalls Road! Beings the outage lasted approx. six hours, it was another one of the lessons in how prepared you were for this sort of thing; after all, winter is still here!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from March 2-8 are Deb Holland, Audrey Petterson, Jessica Hoven, Sara Fletcher, Tyler Hoven, Sandy Wirkkala, Scott Henrickson, Mitchell Bonds, Christoper Swift, Rebecca Brennen, Ray Brooks, Jean Wallen, Tony Parker, Kara Pierson, Ian Turner, JoAnne Brockway, Maiya Kiest, Joellee Collins, Missy Edwards, Neriah Holmes, Linda Stiltz, Mason Christiansen, Karalin Reynolds, Krystal Ellison Zickefoose and Jonas Owen.

Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Adam and Sara Fletcher, Brandon and Debbie Chamberlain and Ron and Annette Miller. May all of you be able to get out and enjoy your special days!

THURSDAY BREAKFAST--Another reminder to come to the Skamokawa Grange Hall at 18 Fairgrounds Road and enjoy a cup of coffee and a bite to eat from 10 until noon. Bring your favorite mug and a treat to share if you can and sit and gab a spell. Season Long and her crew are asking for donations for various items, so if you can help, that would be awesome. The breakfast is free but donations are welcomed.

LASAGNA DINNER--According to Lore Twiet, there will be a lasagna dinner at the Rosburg Hall from noon until 3 p.m. on March 5. This dinner is a fundraiser for the Wahkiakum Fair put on by the Fair Foundation and the cost of the dinner is by donation. Along with the dinner, there will be a bake sale and a silent auction, so here’s hoping the weather co-operates and we can all head that way on Sunday to enjoy a dinner out with our fellow neighbors and friends.

GRANGE RUMMAGE SALE--On March 11 and 12, there will be a rummage sale at the Skamokawa Grange Hall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you have things you’d like to donate, contact Becky Ledtke at 360-795-3434. All monies raised go to help keep the Grange up and running so your support is much appreciated.

FLEA MARKET--Also that day, and right next to the Sk. Grange, is the Wahkiakum Co. Fairgrounds and Saturday, March 11 is the date of their monthly Flea Market with two buildings of things to check out on that day during the same hours of 9 to 3.

REDMEN HALL--If you time your day just right on March 11, you can also head to the historic Redmen Hall and join the members of the Friends of Skamokawa, where you can not only shop at their Annual Antique and Vintage Sale, 10 to 4, but you can attend their annual meeting which will be held at 3 p.m. with a pie social afterwards at 3:30 and then, the much awaited reading from author Karl Mariantes at 4 p.m., from his book, “Deep River.” There’s a lot of history to be learned from Mr. Mariantes and I’m sure many would love to meet him and buy a copy of his book.

The Vintage and Antique Sale will also take place on Friday, March 10 and on Sunday, March 12, with the hours of noon to 4.

BINGO--Also taking place that busy weekend is bingo at the Norse Hall on Puget Island. However, this will be an evening event on Saturday, March 11, beginning at 6 p.m., so you’ve got time to do all the things in Skamokawa and then go have a little dinner before heading to the Norse Hall, where doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Come and help support the Sons of Norway by attending these fun games and maybe meet some new neighbors, too! For more info, contact President Jan Silvestri at 360-431-1705.

SAID GOOD-BYE--This past Saturday, March 25, Jean Horman and a group of family and friends gathered at Greenwood Cemetery to say goodbye to one of the truly super nice guys, Jean's husband of 65 years, Ron. There will be another service held in his memory in the spring, around the time of the car show held by Dollars for Scholars, as Ron was always a big car fan and he loved being a part of this event. Ron had a “life well lived” and slipped away to a better place at age 88 on Feb. 7. May he rest in peace.

MORE LOSSES--We were saddened to hear of the passing of Dan Bardsley and Ken Florek and want to send our sincere condolences to all their family members. I also learned of the passing of long time Puget Islander, Patty Ohrberg and we were certainly surprised to hear this sad news. Again we send our sincere sympathies to all her family members and dear friends.

TRANSFER STATION--There are lots of newer folks in the area and they may not be aware of the fact that we have a place to take your garbage, and it’s just a few miles west of Skamokawa. While it’s technically called the Wahkiakum County Transfer Station and is operated by the Wah. Co. Public Works Dept. (360-795-3301), it is most often referred to as the “KM Dump,” as that’s where it’s located. Barring any holidays or horrific weather conditions, it is open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can check out their rules and rates online or on their Facebook page, or contact the public works department.

OUT OF THE PAST--Back in 1948 this week, it was pretty nice all week except for one rainy evening and one rainy day, but it was warm and beautiful for several days, so that wasn’t too bad for the beginning of March! It was election time in Cathlamet and while I didn’t see the offices that they were running for listed, the contest between Mr. Coates, Mr. Gross and Mr. Goodfellow was won by Mr. Coates. The folks in the next contest were Mr. Martin and Mr. Peterson and was won by the latter. The last office listed was a competition between Mr. Wika and Mr. Danielsen and Mr. D. won that race.

Jonas Pedersen had a bad day on the river on March 6 while fishing for smelt as another fisherman ran into his boat and it was so damaged that it sank! Luckily “the boys” got it raised and out of the river and then offered to fish for Jonas’ smelt limit for him; very nice!

On March 8, Elsie Everest turned 56 and enjoyed this lovely day by changing shifts at the telephone office so she could enjoy some of the goodies that were given to her. Her “mystery sister” had a nice cake delivered on a very pretty cake platter. Dear friends Alva Mast, Mary Ann Risk, Nina Witham and others were kind enough to give her fancy soaps, new towels and wash cloths and pretty vases along with her daughters giving her new hankies and hosiery and flowers. She said it felt like Christmas.

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