Skamokawa News

CLOUDY START. Well, it’s a cloudy start to this week at the end of yet another month, and I’m loving it, as the heat we had was too much for me. We even had a splash of rain here and there this past week, so that was nice. This first week in September looks pretty dry but the warmest day will be over by the time you read this so if you’re a sun lover, I hope you enjoyed it.

SPECIAL DAYS. Those celebrating birthdays from Sept. 4 through 11 are Jade Havens, Tristan Collupy, Troy Davis, Edward Johnson, Carla Keilwitz, Jamie Nielsen, Brittanie Helms-Lampitt, Dusty DeNoyer, Steve Wright, Daniel Elfers, Gunnar Huskey, Zarina Hoven, Jamie Jacobson, Brett Deaton, Nichole Olsen, Dallas Gott-Burdick, Vince Fauver, Bobbie Gaines, Carey Johnson, Chloe Kotula, Alex Dwiggins, Amanda Poler, Shelby DeBolt, R.J. Brown, Adalynne Ogle, Brittany Brumbaugh, Howard Glockzin, Robert Hight, Kadi Harriman, Stephen Riley Johnson, Breann Snider, Shayne Hoven, Paul Toney, Nathan Takko, Dan Lloyd, JoAnn Kinsey Reed and Scott Baldwin. Those celebrating anniversaries this week are Mr. and Mrs. Phil Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. David Lennsen, Winnie and Ed Johnson, Gary & Naomi Havens, Zane and Kara Seymour, Sean and Kellie Masters, Jim and Darlene Almer and Scott, and Jenny Pedersen. May all your special days bring you special memories.

SYMPATHIES. I received a message from my classmate, David West, that his mother, Veryle Marie West, had passed away on Saturday, August 30. I had just spoken to David during the fair, and he mentioned that his mom was failing then and wasn’t expected to live much longer. It is so hard to lose loved ones, and even if they live to be 96, their passing leaves a huge hole in our hearts. We send our sincerest condolences to all of Veryle’s family members. She was a dear lady and a really good friend to my mom while she was alive, and I just know they are having a great chat in the sky. Hugs to all.

KITES ON SATURDAY. It’s finally here. The annual 2025 Vista Park Kite Festival is happening this Saturday, September 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Skamokawa at our wonderful Skamokawa Vista Park, operated by Wahkiakum Port District 2. If you’d like more information about this event, contact Terina at 360-795-8605 or email terina@wahport2.org See you there!

BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE. You still have time to participate in the annual supply drive for our kids’ school supplies. You can drop them off until Sept. 5 at the Bank of the Pacific in Cathlamet, or until today at noon at the Skamokawa Grange hall during their Thursday Community Breakfast, which runs from 10 a.m. to noon on Sept. 4. I would guess that if you have other supplies to donate after those dates, they could be taken directly to the school. JAW: 360-795-3261 or WHS: 360-795-3271

ICE CREAM SOCIAL. A new event is happening this September 13. The Friends of Julia Butler will host an Ice Cream Social at the Julia Butler Hansen House, located at 35 Butler Street in Cathlamet, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. The event will also feature homemade apple pie made from apples in the garden right at the JBH house. Advance tickets for this event are $15 and can be purchased at the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce office, located at 102 Main Street, or at Jabber Shack, 65 Main Street. Alternatively, tickets can be paid at the door for $20. You can also purchase those tickets online: http://www.machform.clnw.com/view.php?id=90506

PIONEER CENTER FUNDRAISER. I received a postcard with a “save the date” reminder for a fundraiser for our historic Pioneer Church, now a center, which will be held at Norse Hall on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. This event has a $15 entry fee, and if you register early, attendees 21 and older can also receive a complimentary glass of beer or wine. Register at http://www.pioneercommunityassociation.org. This event is listed as a “silent auction, with a twist,” and we hope you’ll check it out. There will be entertainment, appetizers, and drinks for you to enjoy, and of course, if you can, please donate an item for the silent auction. If you can’t attend but want to support this worthwhile cause, you can always mail a check to the Pioneer Community Association (PCA) P.O. Box 24, Cathlamet, WA 98612.

LAST MONTH OF MARKET. I was able to find the current information for the Elochoman Marina Street Market, which shows that the market will be taking place every Friday through Sept. 26 from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. With much of the old information on some of these sites, it can be a bit confusing, as there was a slight name change, and many folks were looking at that old info instead. This might be a good time for everyone with a presence on Facebook and online to review your information, ensure it is up to date, and remove all outdated sites and information, as many users may not be able to see the fine print and might think it’s current.

WINE TASTING/AUCTION. Yes indeed, the Friends of Skamokawa/River Life Interpretive Center, located right here in Skamokawa at MP 29, is once again hosting their annual fundraising event in person, instead of online like during the Covid years. We hope you’ll check it out and support this group, which continues to preserve this wonderful, historic building. They will hold their Fall Wine Tasting & Auction Gala on Oct. 18 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Rat Tap Bar in Cathlamet. You can get advance tickets at the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce, the Rat Tap Bar, the Skamokawa Store, and of course, at the RLIC. If you’d like to donate an item for the auction, please let them know by calling 360-795-3007 or simply drop it off.

GREAT GATHERING. Pete and Katie Sechler had a full house this past week when all four of their children, spouses, and significant others gathered at their home in Seattle. Some, like me, met the newest family member for the first time... fun, fun! Coming the furthest were Kyle Sechler and his wife, Suzy, from Atlanta, GA, so it was great to see them. Bobby and Tessa Graham came from Kenmore, Luke and Bella live nearby, and I headed north through heavy holiday traffic from Skamokawa. It was definitely worth it to meet and hold my very first great-granddaughter, whose parents, Blake and Michaela Sechler, came down from Mountlake Terrace. As always, it was a wonderful time, and a table full of pizza, salad, and goodies made everyone happy! As my Grandma Elsie Everest used to say, “And a good time was had by all.”