Skamokawa News

WET START. As I begin this column, it is a very wet Sunday. Other than two decent days, it’s going to be a soggy time ahead of us. I do hope you’ve got those gutters cleaned out and are keeping those umbrellas handy! At least this means our fire danger has lessened, and our lawns are getting a good drink as well. Of course, this can also mean those steep hillsides along SR 4 can spit out some rocks, so watch for those!

SPECIAL DAYS. Those celebrating birthdays this coming week from Sept. 16 through 23 are Justin Garrison, Maddie McClain, Dixie Anderson, Randy Kuhn, Curt Moore, Violet Holm, Robert Lambert, Heidi Heywood, Hayley Batt, Casey Drapeaux, Davey Hoven, Max Stone, Joshua Pihl, Amy Heath, Kathy McClain, Alyssa Robert, Maddie McClain, Emily Elliott, Zachary Robinson, Deborah Wakefield, Michele Collupy, Mary Heagy, Louis Stornetta, Curtis Everman, Elizabeth Dahlen, Joel Havens, Mike Sullivan, Kelsey Cothren, Piper McClain, Jacob Grasseth, Craig Nielson, Lori Kensinger, Joel Havens, Amy Jo Evans, Kristi Knowles Langston, Kevin Gilligan, Fred Nollan, Hunter Baldwin, Jennifer Kyle and Debbie Chamberlain. Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Reid, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Barth, Mr. and Mrs. Graig Sand, Mr. and Mrs. Vern Freeman, and Mathew and Lori Kyle. Rain or shine, I hope all of you have wonderful celebrations in the week ahead. Enjoy!

NEW ADDITIONS. I got a call from Kerry Brown, and he told me that he and Susan are great-grandparents once again, as their granddaughter, Abby, just had twin girls... how awesome! The two little girls have been named Faith and Grace. Congratulations to all!

FOS FUNDRAISER. Yes indeed, ticket holders ($30) for the Friends of Skamokawa’s annual Fall Wine Tasting and Auction event will be showing them to the ticket takers at the Rat Tap Bar in Cathlamet this Saturday, so here’s your chance to bid on some great donated items and help the FOS from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Have a great time, everybody!

ANOTHER AUCTION COMING UP. The Norse Hall will be the place to be if you want to participate in more fundraising through an auction. The Pioneer Community Association is holding this event on Oct. 25. The event had to be canceled earlier due to illness. This fundraiser is to help raise much-needed funds for the Pioneer Center and is advertised as a Silent Auction with a Twist, and it begins at 4:30 p.m. So, head over the bridge to Puget Island and to 444 SR 409, where you will find the Norse Hall. Beer and wine will be served, along with food from various local restaurants. Tickets are $15. Buying them early gets you a free drink.

VISTA PARK. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 1, it’s time to head to the Appelo Annex, which is located to the left as you enter Skamokawa Vista Park. SVP is putting on their very first Fall Bazaar, and they hope you come down and check out the vendors there that day.

SHOP WITH A COP. It’s another auction, and this is truly a wonderful fundraiser. Who wouldn’t want to help some of our local kids have a super happy Christmas?! We all want that, of course! So, on the evening of November 1, it will be time to head to the Duck Inn once again this year. They are hosting a fabulous fundraiser that provides money for our local law enforcement officers to take them shopping! They get to go with sirens all the way up to Walmart and pick out what they want. Just think how thrilling that must be for those who never had that opportunity to do a bit of Christmas shopping just for themselves... so cool! Anyway, I do hope you’ll find it in your heart to donate an item for this auction (you can bring them to the Duck Inn now), as well as come on down that evening and bid away so we can raise a lot of money for the kids! We have had some real fun over the years, with spirited bidders trying to outdo one another, and those are always an absolute hoot... you’ve just got to come on down and check it all out!

MUSEUM. Here’s a reminder that our county museum, located at 65 River Street in Cathlamet, will be closing soon. Oct. 25 and 26 will be the last days to check it out before they close for the winter. I have had a great time hosting, and we’ve been pretty busy when I was there, as folks have come from all over the place to check it all out. If you’d like to become part of the museum team and spend a few hours on a weekend showing folks around, they’ll be opening in the Spring and would love to add you to the team. It’s really great fun checking out all the artifacts and the pictures, and beings I’ve been going there since my grandma Elsie Everest hosted back in the 50’s, well, it’s changed quite a bit. Come down to 65 River Street and check it out! More info? Call: 360-849-4353.

RETIRING. I just wanted to give everybody a heads up that, after over thirty years, I will be saying goodbye to writing this column at the end of this month. My last column will be Oct. 30. It will be weird to have my weekends back and not spend time on the computer in the basement, but it’s time for a break! I’ll yak for two more weeks though, so you’re not rid of me just yet... ha!