The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

HOT ENOUGH?--I hope you were all prepared for the toasty conditions that we are scheduled to receive. It’s no fun being unprepared for scorching temperatures for ourselves and our four legged friends . It was already 80 degrees before 10 a.m. on Sunday.We knew we were in for some heat and more is expected ugh! As the weather is supposed to cool off some by the time you read this, more warm days could always follow, so please keep yourselves and your critters hydrated. We humans also need electrolytes to replenish what we lose when we’re sweating. We need to be just like those athletes that drink sport drinks that include “extras” besides just plain water. Stay safe, hydrate, limit your time in the sun and we hope we don’t hear of any more forgotten children in cars, no excuses!

THIS IS IT! FAIR TIME--As of Thursday, August 17, the Wahkiakum County Fair will be open for the 115 time, so we hope you have plans to head to Skamokawa and check it all out. The first day is always Senior Citizens Day, so if you’re 60 or older, you get in free. The following day is Armed Forces Day so if you’re in the military or were in the military, you get in free. On Saturday, it’s Kids Day so all kids under 12 and military folks get in free. Of course, if you bought a three day pass prior to the fair for just seven $7, then it doesn’t matter which day you show up, hopefully all three! On Thursday only, you can still purchase the three day pass for $8 dollars, so that’s a good deal. After that, adults pay five dollars per day, so the pass is a good deal. Also on Thursday, the Duck Inn will have their usual “Ace of Spades” game at the fairgrounds in the beer garden area, so enjoy a cool one and play the card game that could win you thousands of dollars fun, fun! Whatever you do, come and help support our fair and check out all the cool entries in the various buildings. I have always had a rule during fair time, No Cooking! So, I am really looking forward to supporting the various food booths and not having to do dishes! See ya at the fair! (Also, a slight correction to the community calendar the fairgrounds number is 360-795-3480)

A DAY AT THE O--Happening on Saturday, the historic saloon, The O, aka The Oasis, will be open so if you want to check out the newly remodeled bar check it all out this Saturday. For you new folks, it’s located next to the fairgrounds at 8 Fairgrounds Road.

REUNION--Another quick reminder to those members of the Class of 1959, who will be meeting at the Duck Inn for your class reunion this year. You can be out of the sun and be nice and cool! Enjoy!

SKAMOKAWA SCHOOL REUNION--All those who went to the Skamokawa Grade School back in the day, you’ll be meeting over at the upper covered area in Vista Park on Friday, August 18 at 1 p.m. It’s a potluck affair so bring a dish and have a great time catching up with your former classmates!

SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from Aug. 17-23 are Tyna Zink, Olivia Brown, Steve McClain, Becky Ledtke, Jessica Shiek, Riley Emlen-Petterson, Kay Walters, Clarity Schmitz, Toni Sue Ostling, Danny Tomlinson, Dale Heiner, John Gustafson, Bobbie Leingang, Cindy Faubion, Bryce Heiner, Larry Havens, Linda DeBriae, Deanna Dachtler, Kody Vik, Brandon Olsen, Kyleigh Cothren, Gabriella Cothren, Vickie Gregory, Julie McKagan, Ellie Scudder, Greg Moore and Patty Kellum. Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Mark and Debb Howie, Brenden and Brynn McClain, Bryce and Caitlin Heiner, Tracy and Megan Elliott, Marcus and Mercedes Wilder and Ty and Kendra Finkas. Here’s wishing all of you wonderful times with family and friends on your special days!

BIG AWARD--I got a message from Pat Carroll, wife of Chuck (Paul) Carroll, Class of 1961, that a great honor is being bestowed upon Chuck. After many years of working in baseball and being an American Legion member he will be inducted into the Washington American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame and that is indeed, a great honor, so Congratulations to Chuck great job!

NEXT WEEK--Beginning next Thursday, August 24, all those fishing fanatics will want to get out on the river, and catch the big fish at the annual Hook the Hawg Salmon Derby. The Derby takes place at the Elochoman Slough Marina, from the 24th-2th. Be sure to check out all the rules and regulations at the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce website.

SCHOOL STARTS--Don’t forget, we’ve got kids going back to school, August 30 so there will be more kids on the sidewalks and around town as they walk to school and of course, many buses making lots of stops as they travel our main highways and smaller roadways to pick up students. Please slow down and be sure to follow all the rules when encountering a bus. Some folks seem to forget that a stopped bus means you have to stop when that red stop paddle comes out no, passing! This red sign is not a request it’s the law. Children will hopefully be made aware of their responsibility when it comes to crossing streets, etc, but kids can be excited and forget, so we all need to be mindful.

SEPTEMBER DOINGS--On September 1 the last Farmer’s Market will take place at the Elochoman Slough Marina, so if you haven’t been there yet, this is your last chance. If you’re ready for a good time, don’t miss out on the Smoke on the Water Music Fest with lots of country artists. This is super special for our little town, so you’ll want to be there. The festival begins September 1 and goes all weekend. You can get a weekend pass or just a daily pass. The organizers will have a booth at the fair as well. Check my earlier column for more details or on their Facebook page. On September 9, the Kite Festival will be take place at Skamokawa Vista Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., so bring the kids down to the beach and check out all the awesome array of fantastic kites! Call 360-795-8605 for more info. While you’re down this way checking out the kites, you can also swing by the fairgrounds and check out their monthly Flea Market. This takes place on the second Saturday of each month from 9 to 3.

CONTINUED PRAYERS--As we all know by now, there was a horrible fire and the total destruction of the historic town of Lahaina on the Island of Maui. It is just gut wrenching to see the devastation there. We were happy to learn that former Cathlamet resident, George Borg is safe and his home and area were not affected. However, in the affected area, the number of fatalities is increasing day by day and with over 2000 structures destroyed, the folks there are definitely in shock and need lots of support. Our thoughts are with them of course and if at all possible, they would appreciate some financial help. If you opt to donate, make sure it’s through a reputable site. There are lots of scammers out there so beware. Meanwhile, more fires are still burning on that island so we hope they can get them under control soon. It goes without saying that it is super dry here at home as well, so please be careful when doing anything that could cause a spark and start a fire, be safe folks!