Red Hat Ladies

Short Stories by Pat Nelson

June 20, 2008 - Anticipation building for Planters' Day - To me, this photo of the partially-assembled carnival at Woodland's Horseshoe Lake represents the word "anticipation." Carnival workers anticipate a busy festival, smiling faces and lots of ticket sales this weekend during the Planters' Days festival...read more.

June 6, 2008 - Save Gas...Find Adventure Close to Home - If you're worried about this summer's high gas prices putting the brakes on your vacation plans, try thinking closer to home. We're fortunate to live close to mountains, forests, lakes and beaches...read more.

May 23, 2008 - Skate Park Goes Green - A sign stating "Tree City USA" now sits near three newly planted flowering trees at the edge of the lawn stretching gently downhill from Woodland's skateboard park. In late April, City of Woodland employees and volunteers laid sod to convert the area surrounding...read more.

Eagle's Eye View - The patriotic holiday Memorial Day is observed in many ways. For some, it marks the beginning of a season of camping and picnicking. For others, it is a day to decorate the gravesites of loved ones with flowers....read more.

Youngsters visit Lelooska Cultural Center - Three weeks ago, on a cold and blustery April day that threatened snow, I looked out at Horseshoe Lake and saw more shoreline activity than I thought the nippy day deserved. Two men fished from an aluminum boat. The wind pushed them along as though they were trolling...read more.

Kids, birds will compete for Horseshoe Lake fish - In preparation for spring fishing at Woodland's Horseshoe Lake, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife planted more than 8800 rainbow trout and more than 6510 brown trout during the first eight days of April. Another 2,500-3,500 rainbows will be trucked to Horseshoe Lake...read more.

Just for Fun - There were more poodles at the Kelso Elks Saturday than you'd see at a dog show…poodle skirts, that is. Felt skirts in all colors, but predominantly in red and purple, swished and swirled as 200 members of the Red Hat Society celebrated its ninth birthday...read more.

Party Girls - I pulled my hair back into a saucy ponytail to show off the deep purple hickey on my neck. A sterling silver going steady ring on a beaded metal chain bounced up and down on my ample chest as I walked...read more.

The Old Gray Mare - Horses and jockeys from all over the county converged on the park at Lake Sacajawea. The picnic shelter was decorated with red and purple balloons and streamers...read more.

Blind Sighted - I came home from our store and emptied the plastic bag of mail onto my desk. I began sorting the envelopes. Invoices went to my husband’s inbox for approval, payroll went to the bookkeeper, and advertising went straight to the garbage can, unopened...read more.