Skamokawa News

WET! As I begin this column, it’s pouring rain and definitely a soaker! I know we’re supposed to get a couple of dry days this week, but it looks like a very soggy system will stay with us for a while... ugh! I hope it falls apart, and we can get a break from that, as even half days of light rain would be better in my opinion. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

SPECIAL DAYS. Those celebrating birthdays this coming week from Oct. 23 through 30 are Piper McClain, Joel Havens, Kristi Knowles Langston, Kelsey Cothren, Mike Sullivan, Amy Jo Evans, Cindy Alston, Elizabeth Dahlen, Tricia Farmer, Terina Davis, Jake Schillios, Danielle Freeman, Don Wages, Valle Mae Ready, Ryan Crozier, Tammy Toussant, Tim Dickson, Melody Scott, Michael Nortrup, Bobby Ferguson, Arwynn Haney Brown, Calvin Grasseth, Tyler Weathers, George Essen, Tabor Demyan, Kallie Hoven, Kayla Fitro, Brian Furlong, Kim Dixon, Jennifer Burr, Christie Lou Davis, Eilee Crouse, Joselyn Kuhl, Hayden Johnson, and Jessica Palmer. Those celebrating anniversaries are Mr. and Mrs. Greg Parke, Mr. and Mrs. Graig Sand, Mr. and Mrs. Vern Freeman, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Bain, Mr. and Mrs. Travis Gibson, Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Anshutz, Mr. and Mrs. David Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Dixon, and Wayne and Karen Bell. Here’s hoping all your special celebrations are just wonderful.

BIG FUNDRAISER. The Norse Hall on Puget Island will be the place to be this Saturday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., as the Pioneer Community Association hosts their big fundraiser there. It’s an auction with a twist including some fun music and food, of course. This auction was originally scheduled for September but had to be postponed to Oct. 25 due to illness. Now is the perfect time to support this historic building in Cathlamet, formerly the Pioneer Church. Based on the items collected so far, they will have a wide variety of things to bid on. Wishing them much success this Saturday.

LITTLE TRAVELER. Miss Sawyer Anne Sechler recently returned from a trip to Phoenix, AZ, where her parents, Blake and Michaela, were attending a wedding. Coming along to fill in on babysitting duties were her grandparents, Pete and Katie Schler from Seattle. I think the little Miss has set a family record; at just 3 and a half months old, she’s already flown to Alaska, Montana, and now Arizona... wow! To top it off, she’s been a perfect passenger, so that’s great!

HALLOWEEN IS COMING. The Duck Inn is inviting everyone to join their annual Halloween bash, featuring Sucker Punched led by one of our former local guys, John Brockmueller. It’s always fun to see the kids again. Be sure to dress up in your best costume, and hopefully, you’ll be one of the big winners of the night! Have fun!

SHOP WITH A COP. The very next night after Halloween, Nov. 1, it’s time to head back to the Duck Inn for the annual “Shop with a Cop” event, where the Wahkiakum Sheriff’s office and the Duck have joined forces to help make our local kids super happy this holiday! All of us folks will bid on donated items to help fund a shopping trip for kids for Christmas gifts. It’s such a worthy cause and we hope you’ll think about donating to it and then coming down that evening and bidding away. You can donate items by dropping them off at the Sheriffs’ office in Cathlamet or at the Duck Inn, now up until the event. As always, the more things we have to bid on, the wider array we can choose from and well, hopefully make more money too! We hope to see you there along with our fine officers who help make this a treat for those kids they’ll never forget!

SHOEBOXES OF JOY. Time is flying by, and it won’t be long before the Christmas season is upon us. Hard to believe, but as we all know, these next few weeks will pass quickly, so it’s very important for those organizing gifts and donations this holiday season to gather a lot of items early. One of these efforts is the Shoeboxes of Joy Wahkiakum, which collects items for their shoebox giveaway project. Since these shoeboxes are wrapped, filled, and handed out before Christmas, it’s crucial to get those stocking stuffer type items early. If you have shoeboxes to donate, that’s great; if you can wrap them in advance, that would be wonderful; and if you could donate a wrapped box already filled with goodies, that would be fantastic! You might make one for a woman and one for a man; perhaps one for someone who has a cat or a dog; or even one with sugar free items. The possibilities are endless, and putting them together can be quite fun. Additionally, if you’re able to buy and donate extra items, that would be wonderful. You can bring your boxes and items to the Skamokawa Grange on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon. As Christmas gets closer, more days and times for drop-offs will be announced. These boxes are given to people who might not have much family around and would appreciate a surprise gift. If you know someone who could use a nice surprise, please let Season Long know when you stop by the grange. If shopping isn’t your thing, you can always leave a cash donation, and the ladies can purchase what’s needed. Anyway, I hope you’ll support this wonderful Christmas giveaway! Be sure to stop by on Thursdays for the Community Breakfast at the Grange Hall from 10 a.m. to noon. It’s free! Donations are appreciated but not required.

BAZAAR/LUNCHEON. I received a call from Freda Footh, who wants me to remind everyone that the Rosburg Hall will be open on Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this Saturday, for their annual Holiday Bazaar and Chicken Luncheon! I can personally vouch that the chicken has always been delicious! So, come on down to check out the bazaar, enjoy a meal at the Rosburg Hall, and support this fundraiser organized by the Rosburg Club!