Skamokawa News

PLENTY HOT. If you made it to the fair last week, you will have to agree with me that it was a tad warm, as we had temperatures up to 100 degrees at my house and the fairgrounds, too. We were definitely feeling the heat while we were there. We hate to complain, though, as sometimes it’s been pouring down rain and that’s not so great either. I was happy to see some big fans get brought in as the poor animals that are usually enjoying some wide-open spaces were confined to tighter quarters than they are used to, so I’m sure they were happy to get some air moving in those barns and, of course, getting back home on Saturday night. It looks like we’ll be cooling down some by the time you read this and it couldn’t come too soon for me. I don’t like melting in the heat!

SPECIAL DAYS. Those celebrating birthdays at the end of August and the beginning of Sept. (28-4) are Quin Bassi Jr., Daniel Elfers, Judy Danielson, Jim Robinson, Sandra Quintero, Vance Mosteller, Lucas Getman, Debbie Melton, Ryan Kuhl, Joel Spangle, Jeff Sailing, Joe Turgeon, Kim Herren, Kay Dixon, Teri Hoven, Amanda Braun, Grayci Thomas, Taven Carrilo, Charlott Droullard, Cathy Candelaria, Harold Lervick, Joe Blair, Colin Conway, Travis Bain, Signe Bobbit, Bella Hummel, Lucca Hummel, Dusty DeNoyer, Ross Clozier, Steve Wright, Linda Cook, Donna Peterson Bernard and Bill Chamberlain. Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Pete and Patti La Berge, Mike and Sara Brown, Ryan and Erica Torppa, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Neilsen, Mr. and Mrs. Domonic Esponde, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Tischer, Mr. and Mrs. Josh Cochran, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lervick, Steve and Ruth Doumit, Todd and Kristen Souvenir and Blake and Michaela Sechler. May all of you have wonderful celebrations this week. Also, I would like to extend a belated Happy 25th Anniversary to Lesley and Larry Horman, who celebrated their very special occasion this past Tuesday, Aug. 26. I hope you two had a memorable day!

Remember, I obtain many of these names from our Lions Club calendar, so if you don’t see your name listed, please give me a call and I’ll add you. Also, things may have changed and maybe folks are no longer together or some folks got remarried, etc., so the current info is wrong, just call me and let me know, as well as contact the Wahkiakum Lions Club member who are in charge of these listing and let them know you’d like to add or subtract a name. You can call Rene Robert at: 360-355-0871

NEW TO THE BIRTHDAY LIST. A new addition has been made to the Austin and Nicole Good family, as their second son was born on the third Saturday of this month, Aug. 16, down in Saratoga Springs, UT. The newest addition was named Callum Cole Good and he weighed in at seven pounds, fourteen ounces and was twenty inches long. Callum joins his older brother, five-year-old Kaiden, who, upon seeing his baby brother, said, “He looks just like me!” Cute and so very true! Needless to say, we offer the happy couple a hearty congratulations and extend that to everyone in the family. I suppose it goes without saying that this great-grandma is extremely happy with the baby’s arrival, as this makes number three for me. It was just a month and a half ago that my first great-granddaughter arrived, so we’re pretty thrilled with these new additions to our family tree!

SYMPATHIES. We were so very shocked to hear of the passing of Russ Durrah last week and we want to send our deepest sympathies to all of his family members. Russ was a “crooner” and a dancer and took part in many of our local “follies” productions and was also very involved in the theater productions in Longview as well. I remember Russ from high school, when he was listed as “Most Talented” in the ‘64 and ‘65 Lameles, as well as being listed under “Best Personalities” in ‘65. He always seemed to have a smile on his face. I also remember in high school when he and Kathy Watkins were just an “item” and it was no surprise when she later became his wife in 1966. They were married until her passing in January of 2024. Now these two will be smiling together once again as Russ sings and they dance across the sky together.

KITES COMING SOON. I hope you’ll head to Skamokawa Vista Park on Sept. 6, which is just next Saturday, as there will be a Kite Festival and a Vendor Fair that day between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. We’ll be hoping and praying for some nice weather along with a nice breeze so those kites can get up there in the sky easily! For more info, call: 360-795-8605

BACK IN SCHOOL. Now that the kids are back in school, please be aware of the younger ones who may be walking down the sidewalks, crossing the streets, or waiting at bus stops. Kids can sometimes forget to be watchful of cars going by, so we all should slow down and be extra cautious this time of year. It’s also a good time to remind folks that it is against the law to pass a school bus that has its red stop sign out and flashing lights on. Every year, school bus drivers recount close calls when a car fails to heed these rules. You don’t want to be the cause of a horrible, avoidable accident, so please be aware of more kids around our local roads and even highways and drive accordingly, such as slowing down significantly.

SUPPORTERS/DONATIONS. Both the Pioneer Community Association and the Friends of Skamokawa are seeking donations for their upcoming fundraisers. If you can put together a basket or gift certificates for services, etc., that would be greatly appreciated. The PCA will be holding its Silent Auction with a Twist event on Sept. 27 at 4:30 p.m. at the Norse Hall on Puget Island (444 SR 409). The fifteen-dollar entrance fee includes appetizers from our local restaurants. If you pre-register, you can get a complimentary glass of beer or wine.(pioneercommunityassociation.org)

The Friends of Skamokawa will be hosting this year’s Fall Wine Tasting & Auction Gala on Oct. 18 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. down at the Rat Tap Bar in Cathlamet. They, too, would appreciate items for their auction as this is a primary fundraiser for them as well. Tickets are limited, so purchase them early. These advanced tickets are available for sale at the following locations: Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce, Rat Tap Bar, Skamokawa Store, and River Life Interpretive Center. The cost of these tickets is $30 each. If you’d like to donate an auction item, contact the interpretive center at 360-795-3007.