08/13/2008

Associated Press

The little town of Skamokawa (ska-MOCK'-a-way) is mourning the death of two colorful tavern owners.

In a three hour period Monday evening, 80-year-old Arthur Peterson died in a crash on State Route 4 and 67-year-old Wanda Rudy expired after a long illness.

Peterson was a former Alaska fisherman known as "Skamokawa Pete" and owned Petes Duck Inn. Rudy owned the Oasis Tavern, a quieter watering hole with a classic rock 'n' roll jukebox.

Kay Chamberlain, who writes about Skamokawa for the Wahkiakum County weekly newspaper The Eagle, says both taverns will remain open for the time being. The Oasis is up for sale, though.

Skamokawa has about 500 residents and is on the Columbia River west of Longview.

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Information from: The Daily News, http://www.tdn.com