Skamokawa News

FOGGY BEGINNING. As I begin this column, it is super foggy outside once again and so the ol’ ship horns are making a whole lot of noise out there on the river this morning. However, foggy mornings usually mean a nice day so I’m hoping that’s the case once again. That would be nice as there are so many chores to do before the rain returns and we’ll be stuck inside. I see the forecast has changed since yesterday so “supposedly” it’s not going to be wet and stormy until Friday, rather than Wednesday, so that delay would be nice. I hope you’re able to get out and about but turn those headlights on. You need to be seen in this dense fog or just rainy days. Please drive defensively as it’s not all about you being able to see but you want others to be able to see you so they don’t pull out in front of you or pass when they shouldn’t. The best thing to do is just to run those headlights 24/7 as it’s the safest thing to do, as even the sunniest days make for the darkest shadows! Make yourself seen.

ANOTHER HURRICANE. For many of us, the news of yet another hurricane is quite unsettling as it appears that Hurricane Milton is already a Category 4 and is moving at 150 miles per hour and is at this time heading for Florida, where they just got hit from Hurricane Helene so they certainly don’t need that to happen. For those of us with friends and family in that area we are certainly hoping they are heeding all the warnings as there are two models of travel for this thing and neither of them are good. I’m sure we’re all worried sick about them and hope and pray that they will be alright. I know we’ll all be watching the weather reports for the next few days as these things can shift around a lot so wherever it goes, I hope they are prepared or better yet, have left the area completely because our things can be replaced, but our lives cannot.

SPECIAL DAYS. Those celebrating birthdays from Oct. 10 thru 16 are: Jeff Baldwin, Kalisha Mace, Kristina Heiner, Justin McClain, Heather Knowles Ratcliff, Justin Robert, Cameron Collins, Josie Parker, Rachel Corbin Strang, Lisa Sauer, Ron D. Cothren, Aron Havens, Curt Moore, Paul LaBerge, Pete LaBerge, Sami Olsen, Beckie Wolcott, Kyla Meacham, Alexzandria Watkins, Kimberlee Watkins, Linsey Brown, Keely Scott, Elsa Miller, Randy Kuhn, Dixie Anderson , Violet Holm, Stepahanie Johnson, Kim Behrens, Kylen Wiedemann, and Kolby Kensinger. Belated birthday wishes go to Ashley Abrahamson and Johnny Shook who celebrated their birthdays on the ninth. Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are: Mr. and Mrs. Brent Mahitka, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Reid, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wilkins and Brandon and Sami Olsen. Enjoy your special days folks!

BOOK SALE. Don’t forget, the Cathlamet Library Book Sale starts tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 11 and will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. and then again on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will not be held at the library but will be right across the parking lot at the bottom level of the Pioneer Center so it’s nice and handy. Please come and help yourself to some great book deals and expand your own library while these books are on sale, and you’ll be helping to support the library as well. 360-795-3254.

FLEA MARKET. Yes indeed, the county fairgrounds down here in Skamokawa is the place to be as they will be holding their monthly Flea Market and T-Building sale and there’s a whole lot of things to check out. If you’re just starting out and need some household or decorating items this would be the place to go as they are all very reasonably priced and ready to sell. Vendors will be set up in the Youth Building and they will be there to show you their wares and creations. Check it out from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 12.

FRIENDS OF SKAMOKAWA. While you’re down this way, head up to the 1894 Central Schoolhouse/River Life Interpretive Center and check out their items and book store from 12 to 4 p.m. Besides picking up a few things there, they also hope you’ll drop off a gift/donation for their upcoming “River Life Holiday Auction Fundraiser 2024” which will begin online from Nov. 1 starting at 6 p.m and will go thru the10th at 6 p.m. To bid online, go to: https://friendsofskamokawa.org/auction. If you’d just like to donate some money, you can send a check or money order to FOS, P.O. Box 67, Skamokawa, WA 98647. Don’t forget, they will be having their annual Holiday Bazaar coming up in mid-November so there will be a lot to check out then as their “Deck the Hall” event is always a great one to attend. They’ll have lots of vendors and homemade items. For more info call: 360-795-3007

GREAT SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES. With Christmas coming you might want to check out three other places in Skamokawa. The Skamokawa Vista Park office has quite a variety of items there for sale. Who doesn’t like something with a beach scene on it or a reminder of their visit there? Also, the Skamokawa store/resort has a wonderful array of t-shirts and sweatshirts and great socks, so they make great Christmas gifts too. Then there’s the Duck Inn who just got some brand-new shirts and sweatshirts for you to check out and would make for a terrific gift to remind you of the great time you had down here in Skamokawa. It helps to support all our local shops, so please shop local! Don’t forget all the great places that you can stay down here. If you’ve got some extra coins, why not think about giving someone you love a gift certificate to one of our many wonderful hideways here in Skamokawa. They’re all great!

BINGO TIME. Ah yes, when you’re done shopping down here, it will be time to head over to Puget Island and the Norse Hall as their monthly Bingo games will be taking place over there this Saturday, Oct. 12, (almost always the second Saturday of the month) and the doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the games will begin at 6 p.m. This is always a fun time and you can win cash.

LEFSE MAKING. Also coming to the Norse Hall soon will be the annual lefse making event. If you want to learn how to make some of this yummy Norwegian lefse, head over to the Norse Hall at the end of October and beginning of November. I’ll have more information on this a little later, but I just wanted to give you a heads up now so you can get this on your calendar.

MARK THIS DOWN. You’ll want head back down there to Skamokawa at the end of the month as they will be having two Halloween events and it’s going to be a fun time for the kiddos. The Halloween Carnival will be taking place at the fairgrounds on Oct. 26 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and then the following day, Sunday, Oct. 27, there will be the “Trunk or Treat” event down here at 4 p.m. If you have any questions, call Patty at the fairgrounds at 360-795-3480.

THINKING OF THEM. In closing, our hearts go out to the folks that were hit with the historic wallop of Hurricane Helene and we trust they will get the help they need ASAP as many places were just destroyed....heart breaking. Now as this new hurricane comes in we can only hope that it lessens in strength, changes course, and goes out to the ocean and gives those poor folks back there a break. We will definitely be keeping them in our prayers. Also, be aware of all the scammers that may be trying to get you to send money to them. It’s always wonderful to give money to help folks out but we need to be wary of just where we are sending it to. Be sure to check out your sources before sending that check or giving out credit card info.