Skamokawa News

NICE NOW. As I begin this column, we are beginning this new month with some sunshine for the week ahead. We ended the month of May with a nice day too, although we certainly wished the day before had been a bit nicer, as the morning hours were pretty soggy, and it didn’t make for a great day for the Car Show on Saturday morning, which was a real shame. Thankfully, things cleared up so that those cooking fish over at Norse Hall only had to deal with some wind. It was great to see a decent crowd there, and we all seemed to be enjoying the fish dinner, along with the wide variety of dessert choices. Yummy for sure!

HALL HAPPENINGS. Speaking of the Norse Hall, members meet there on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend, and of course, new members are always welcome. And no, you don’t have to be Norwegian...ha! The Helgeland Lodge 2-30 members also hold Bingo on the second Saturday of every month; this month’s will fall on June 14. The doors to the lower level will open at 5:30 p.m., and games will begin at 6 p.m., ensuring a fun time. Of course, winners receive cash prizes, which always makes them happy! The members would like to inform you that there will be a slight change to their schedule during the PIGYS (Puget Island Garage and Yard Sale) event, which takes place the last weekend in June. Usually, they would be open on all those days, but this year, they will only be open on Friday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. due to a wedding the following day. However, they will once again hold their usual fundraiser on Friday, selling their delicious Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Hot Dog Meals. It’s a great place to stop between shopping spots to grab a bite to eat, use the restroom, and head back out to all those sales.

GRANGE HALL-DINNER/AUCTION. Just a reminder that the big Dinner and Auction at the Skamokawa Grange hall is this Thursday, June 5. We hope you’ve gotten your tickets and will head over that day. This is a benefit dinner and auction to raise funds for WAAG (Wahkiakum Animal Advocates Group), which does such great work for our community, as well as for the Wahkiakum Shoeboxes of Joy program, with support from the Duck Inn. We should be super proud of all these folks, and we hope you’ll come out and support them. Auctions are always fun, and they have some great donations this year. Stop by either the Video Store, Jabber Shack in Cathlamet, or the Duck Inn to buy tickets!

BREAD POP-UP. If you enjoy the bread baked at the Crippen Creek Farm here in Skamokawa, then you had better hurry on over to Puget Island Gardens on June 6, as the Speranzas are saying that this is going to be the only pop-up event happening in June. So, bring your appetite and buy their tasty bread between 3 and 4 p.m. this Friday, June 6.

AT THE SK. PARK OFFICE. Don’t forget to come down to Skamokawa this Saturday and check out the indoor vendor’s sale at the office, located just to the left of the Skamokawa Vista Park entrance. This event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 7.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EVENT. Is also happening on June 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hope Center, located at 320 South 3rd Street in Cathlamet. This event is being hosted by the Cathlamet Woman’s Club to inform and prepare you in case of an emergency. There will be information on how to assemble a to-go bag with a first-aid kit, pet safety tips, and much more, along with free emergency supplies, door prizes, and hands-on demonstrations. This is a free event.

FROZEN BERRY SALE. Don’t forget to order those frozen berries from the Wahkiakum Lions Club; all orders need to be in by June 15, and with time flying by, don’t delay or you might forget! All orders will be available for pickup on June 21. There are several places to pick up an order form at our various local businesses. However, if you don’t happen to see one, you can call 360-355-0871.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE. Please mark June 14 on your calendars, as that is when we have the opportunity to bid our farewells to Judy Smith, the “Queen” of the Duck Inn. An employer to many and a friend to even more, she was loved by all of us who enjoyed being at the Duck Inn when Skamokawa Pete Peterson and Judy were a team. So, please bring your favorite dish to the Skamokawa Grange Hall on June 14 at noon, and let’s send her off with a great big crowd there. She’d love one last party with her friends and family. Our condolences go out to her son, Michael Apperson, and his family, which includes that “little girl,” Marissa, who used to help out at the Duck Inn when she could barely see over the tables. She grew up, moved away, attended, and graduated from Texas A&M University. While we will enjoy seeing her again, we wish it wasn’t under these circumstances. We extend our deepest sympathies to Judy’s family, including her sister Evadell, her husband, Jerry Beard, and all their family members.

DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS. A huge event is happening with the annual Wahkiakum Dollars for Scholars gathering this year. Since it marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of this organization, they will not only hold an auction but also feature a “Rod and Reel Reunion” with classic cars and, of course, a cruise to boot! Both live and silent auctions will be available, and the Duck Inn will provide a food truck. This event is scheduled to take place at the River Mile 38 Brewery and Marina in Cathlamet from noon to 4 p.m. on June 28. For more information, you can visit their website, check them out on Facebook, or you can contact Lee Tischer or Marlena Silva, your hosts for this year. If you are new to the area, this is a fundraising event for scholarships for various graduates of Wahkiakum High School. If you’d like to contribute to the auction portion of this event, please do so ASAP; let Lee know at 360-430-4377 as they will be getting that aspect organized very soon.

SAD NEWS. Speaking of Lee, we were saddened to learn of his sister Sharlene’s passing this past weekend, so we extend our sincerest condolences to his family and to the family of Alan West.

SPECIAL DAYS. Those celebrating birthdays this coming week from June 5 through 13 are Rebecca Keilwitz, Mark, Howie, Tori Wegdahl, Jeff Barth, Kris Orth, Cynthia Gagner, Justin Elfers, Debbie Lunke, Aubrey Ross, Ryan Helms, BEntley Olson, Brenden McClain, Elijah Doiron, Victor Wiedemann, Nicholas Danker, Sharon La Berge, Ezkiel Rockhill, Paige Ferguson, Peyton Souvenir, Matalyn Longtain, Tim Gessner, Tanner Hoven, David Lennsen, Kara Boren, Scott Kensinger, Terri Elfers, Justin Andersen, Chris Songer, Erin Turner, Colton Reynolds, Scott Ahrndt, Michaela Jones Sechler, Andrea Hess, Lukes’ Bella and Kristian Pedersen (son of Scott). Happy Anniversary wishes to David and Connie Shrum, Allyx & Zack O’Connor, Kim and Jesse Stone, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Moffitt, Mr. and Mrs. Skip Nortrup, the Jack Powells’ and Robert and Karla Kyle. Happy days, everyone!