Skamokawa News

CLOUDY START. As this week begins, it’s a cooler and cloudier day and I’m just loving it. It’s the perfect kind of weather for doing yard work, so one doesn’t get too hot or sunburned, and it sure beats sweating half to death like we did last week when it was over 100 degrees here. That was miserable. If the forecast holds true, it appears to be in the 70-75 range, with a bit more sun and decent temperatures. In my opinion, that’s perfect. Hope you enjoy it!

SPECIAL DAYS. Those celebrating birthdays this coming week from July 24 through 31, the last days of month, are Jacob Nelson, Naomi Meyer, Brian O’Connor, Ellerie Kangas, Randy Montgomery, Nathasha Stratton, Levi Helms, Adam Fletcher, Jerry DeBriae Jr., Halle Grasseth, Bonnie Howarth, D. J. Wolcott, Ken Anshutz, Waylon Blouin, Rowan Matney, Madison LaBerge, Jon Hauff, Lesley Horman, Carol Cooper, Julie Pedersen, Suzet Parker, Madison LaBerge, Mandi Knowles, Jocelynn Ellis, Brady LaBerge, Lane Moffite, Ed Stevens, Jeff Lundborg, Ryder Watkins, Mackenzie Turgeon, Mike Anderson, Terrence Pharr, Ivy Marie Haynes, Kyler McKinley, Aaron Mahitka, Chris Sauer, Hayley Nortrup, Patsy Dixon, Ebby Blouin, Aaron DeNoyer, Paul Boren, Jackie Lea, Travis Thompson, Nichole Most, Emily Little, Landon Gorley, Molly Jorgensen, Jennifer Sloan, Hannah Davison, Paula Monroe Olsen and Kay Pedersen Chamberlain. Those celebrating anniversaries this week are: Andrew Emlen and Audrey Petterson, Jerry and Becky Ledtke, Tim and Sharon Schmitz, Joel and Jessie Havens, Micky and Sarah Mahailovich, Jared and Vernoica Hill, Mike and Erla Crouse, Mr. and Mrs. James Julien, Mr. and Mrs. Ian Rutledge, Brenda and Craig Nielson and Bill and Kay Chamberlain. Here’s to nothing but good times and wonderful memories for us all this coming week.

NEED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT? For those who are not aware, our local Wahkiakum Lions Club organization has a Medical Equipment Loan Closet. So, if you find yourself in need of a cane, a sling, a wheelchair, or crutches, for example, before buying one of these items that you may only need temporarily, why not give them a call to see if they have one you can borrow for a while? That saves you money, and they are right here in town, so there’s no need to go somewhere else to look around for it. Be sure to give them a call. They may not have what you need, but hey, they just might. Call 360-795-3337.

THURSDAYS. If you’d like to meet some folks in your neighborhood and you’ve got some free time on a Thursday morning between 10 a.m. and Noon, then come on down to the Skamokawa Grange Hall and enjoy a free community breakfast, a cup of coffee, and gab a spell. Some folks there are also folding papers to put in cat cages for when WAAG traps feral cats for folks or even just for transport to a vet, so that you might help out that way too. It won’t be long and the hall will be full of people wrapping and filling boxes for the holidays, when folks who don’t usually get a Christmas gift will get a surprise gift from the Shoeboxes of Joy - Wahkiakum group. It is always such a great joy for all concerned. Anyway, stop by and say “Hello,” they’d love to see you!

BALD EAGLE DAYS. Well, from the looks of the crowd this past Saturday, I would say that this year’s 44th Bald Eagle Days was a big success. Kudos to all who participated and to everyone who came to enjoy it. I was truly amazed at the amount of sidewalk chalk art this year. Did you know it was the Eighteenth Annual Ginny and Rolly Armstrong Memorial Sidewalk Chalk contest? No? Well, now you do. According to Martie-Lynn Vavoudis, who is in charge of this event, there were over 65 participants this year. That’s awesome! They will likely post all the winners, but I can tell you that the first-place winners of the three age groups, from youngest to oldest, were Adalyn Conrad, Zucia Garcia, and Jordan Smith. Congrats! Naturally, we all cheered on one of the great ladies of the community and Grand Marshall, Ora Lorraine Bjorge-Bauer, as she came through town in a very nice Corvette convertible, woo-hoo! As I wandered around town, I ran into former Island girl, Amanda (Punky) Tover Chambers, and so it was good to see her. She and her husband have just become the proud grandparents of little miss Paige Eloise, who arrived last week weighing in at eight pounds and fifteen ounces. Her arrival means they now have six wonderful grandchildren. Congratulations to them and the little one’s parents, Chris and Nicole. While I was gabbing with her, I got a nice surprise as my great nephew, Ty Finkas and his two sons, Jensen and Barrett, showed up and heard that they were having a good stay in Cathlamet for the weekend, after being on and helping with one of our Mule floats... very cool. Now, one of the couples I was anxious to meet up with had come all the way from Norway, so it was great to see Gwen (Good) and Arve Ronninghaug once again and she was with her sister, Kari (Good) and husband Tony Martin, so it was good to see the Goods once again. Beings that they’d both been residents here, as well as family, it was good to share some time with them. Gwen is looking forward to her WHS 50-year class reunion at the Duck Inn on Aug. 2, so she hopes to see all her former classmates that day/evening! All in all, it appeared that everyone was having a great time, and if my old knees and ankles were feeling better, I’d have stayed longer, but after about four hours, it was about time for me to head home. From all the comments and pictures that I’m seeing on Facebook, this was truly a well-received two-day event. Here’s to next year, but the next big event coming up is the 117th Wahkiakum County Fair Thursday, Aug. 21 through Saturday, Aug. 23 in Skamokawa, so let’s get those ideas brewing and enter something into the fair and fill those shelves and walls with all kinds of projects. It’s going to be great fun and we hope to see you there!