Skamokawa News

NICE START/BIG CHANGE. As this past weekend began, it was pretty doggone nice, but as we all know, things can go from sunshine to soggy real quick around here, and well, as of this writing, that’s exactly the case. The sunshine is now “liquid sunshine” and is expected to last the week... let’s hope they’re wrong! I know spring showers bring spring flowers, but they also make some of my pretty flowers that have already bloomed turn to mush... ugh! Anyway, here’s to showers and no hard downpours. Maybe things will get a bit of drink and not drown from a pounding of heavy rain!

SPECIAL DAYS. Those celebrating birthdays from May 15 through 22 are Mike Iverson, Kris Parke, Hannah Helms, Mary Jodi McClain, John (J.T.) Luthi, Tayler Stornetta, Bonnie LaDoe, Shelly Hedges, Steve Doumit, Stacey Wegdahl, Kaelee Dearmore, Kamryn Watkins, Keith Rutledge, Mike Phelps, Mark Phillips, Nikki Hoven, Dru Grasseth, Jamie Nelson, John Fitzpatrick, Michele Thomas Fladebo, Tiffany Stewart Thomas, Briana Oxley, Genny Logan, Nathaniel Danker, Jerimyah Johnson, Kevin Wirkkala, Lexi Grasseth, Andrea Hawarth, Janine Klint Davidson, Emberlynn Lorenzo, John Adams, Sheri Davis, Mikayla Holland, Rachel Blain Reynolds, James H. Pedersen (Gabes’), Lainie Ferguson, Brenda Baldwin Nielson, Deanna Healy Ahrndt, Donna Palmer and Brandon Chamberlain is feeling fine at fifty-five! Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Deal, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Faubion, and Rusty and Maiya Kiest. May all of you have wonderful celebrations this week.

RACE IS THIS SATURDAY. It’s time for the annual Wahkiakum 4-H Great White Tail Trail Run around part of the refuge this Saturday, May 17. The forecast shows a 50 percent chance of rain, so dress accordingly. Luckily, we often have a complete change in the forecast by the time the weekend arrives, so we’ll hope for just some clouds instead!

CAR SHOW SOON/REGISTER NOW. Once again, this is a quick reminder about the Car Show at the fairgrounds, which will take place at the end of the month on May 31. If you’re going to enter a car in this sixth annual Cruzin’ To the Fair event, you have until next Friday, May 23, to pre-register and save a few bucks. You can visit the fair website at wahkiakumfair.org or you can contact Diane Dyer at 360-465-2825 or Patty Dursteler at 360-795-3480. Here’s hoping for sunshine that day!

BENEFIT DINNER AT GRANGE. On June 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., a Benefit Dinner and Auction for our local WAAG (Wahkiakum Animal Advocates Group) and Wahkiakum Shoeboxes of Joy groups will be held at the Skamokawa Grange Hall. WAAG is instrumental in taking care of animals that have been abandoned or in need of care and fostering while they await their forever homes, as well as getting them trapped and fixed. The group is made up of truly wonderful volunteers, and they need our help. Also, the Shoeboxes of Joy are boxes of goodies given at Christmas time to those who are low-income, disabled, or elderly. Many who receive these shoeboxes are all alone and sometimes receive no other gifts at Christmas time. You can always donate items for this event, but for now, having cash on hand to buy supplies is preferred. At any rate, these two wonderful groups would really appreciate your support by attending this dinner, and of course, they’d love to receive donated items for their auction as well. You can go online or go to Facebook and check out their pages to find out all the particulars, or stop by the Jabber Shack, and I’m sure you could get filled in there as well.

PIGYS IN JUNE. The Puget Island Garage and Yard Sale event will occur from June 27 through June 29 and last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. In case you’re new here, this is where many folks on the Island participate in this massive sale that attracts people from all over. Each house that wants to participate signs up with the coordinator of the event for a small fee, and then they get on a map that is handed out to folks who come over the P.I. Bridge and search for all those great deals while you get rid of some unwanted items, a win-win! In the past, participants have also given you a special sign to post by their house, so folks know for sure that you’re involved in this big yearly event! Darlene Jensen is the head of this so you can contact her via Facebook.

FEELING BETTER. I heard that former resident and WHS alum Alan Munson was hospitalized in Anchorage, AK, recently. However, his youngest sister, Gail Munson Steigleman, posted that he was doing better and thanked everyone for all the prayers that were said on his behalf. We hope Alan continues to get better.

REMEMBERING CHERISH. For those who knew Cherish Collupy-Smith, here’s a reminder that a Celebration of Life gathering will take place at the Skamokawa Grange Hall on May 31 from 2 to 5 p.m.

MUSIC AT THE GRANGE. The Skamokawa Grange members invite you to an evening of country music. Our talented group, Grand Ole Swamp Opry, will entertain you at the Skamokawa Grange Hall on May 24. Admission is only $5, and children 12 and under are free—you can’t beat that price. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show will start at 7 p.m. We hope to see you at 18 Fairgrounds Road next Saturday, where you’ll enjoy some delicious homemade cookies. What a deal! Spread the news to your friends and neighbors.

NICE TIME? I hope all of you moms had a lovely time on Mother’s Day this past Sunday, as we always enjoy a special treat on that day, especially if it includes no cooking! I have to say that while the date is different this year, I celebrated the birth of my first son on Mother’s Day fifty-seven years ago, so he certainly made my day that year! Luckily, he’s a great son who makes my Mother’s Day special every year. Thanks, Pete!

If you had an extra special day, why not give me a jingle, let me know what you did, and share your wonderful day with others. Here’s hoping you have a wonderful week!