We enjoyed the week visiting with our nephew and niece from California. Didn’t get a whole lot done on the house but the hardwood flooring is just about ready to go down. Who knew that any moisture variance would make it impossible to install until the percentage was right. We didn’t. Hopefully readers will learn something from our experience, regarding hardwood floors in our moist area. When you spend lots of money to purchase the product, you don’t want it to buckle once it’s installed. We are very happy with the end result though, and only about 1400 square feet more to put in.

News from Naselle:

Only two more weeks until school begins. Supply lists are on line for the local schools at the school websites. Naselle School website is http://www.naselle.wednet.edu.

Registration for high school classes will take place next week. Seniors can register on August 22 at 6 p.m., juniors can register on August 23 at 6 p.m., sophomores on August 24 at 6 p.m. and freshmen on August 25 at 6 p.m. New students will be able to register on August 26 at 9 a.m. School begins on September 1 at 8 a.m.

Almost everyone remembers Glenrose Hedlund, the lovely lady that always made you smile, and showed up to events wearing her unique hats. She always spoke fondly of the Lindgren Cabin at Cullaby Lake located between Warrenton and Seaside, and that cabin was built by her grandfather, Eric Lindgren. The cabin is open to the public and that was one of Glenrose’s favorite summer volunteer activities, hosting at the cabin during summer weekends.

The Finnish American Historical Society of the West members has maintained the cabin and its contents, in particular Elaine Hedlund Wilbanks. She has had the task of cleaning and organizing hosts recently, and she could use a little help. She will be looking for volunteers to help host this summer and it may turn out that you enjoy it so much that you will want to go back next year. If you are interested in helping, please contact Elaine at ewilbanks@comcast.net or 360 430-5577.

Naselle’s Finnish American Folk Festival will take place again next summer in Naselle, but the group that puts this together has never stopped working on FinnFest. You can check out their activities and events on their website, http://finnam.naselle.net.

Other news from the Westend:

It’s time once again for the Wahkiakum County Fair. Beginning today, you can enjoy all the outstanding family friendly activities. Check out the animals, games, food and displays, all homegrown right here in our own back yard.

Speaking of food, one of the vendors at the fair will be the Naselle Cheerleaders and they will be serving tamales and chicken adobo. This is a fund raising effort in support of their cheerleading camp. Check them out and give them your personal support while eating their yummy faire.

I’m sure the Grange food booth will be up and running again this year, and they are certainly appreciated by everyone attending and associated with the fair itself. Thanks to all the volunteers and the staff who spend so much time putting our annual fair on. Becky Ledtke, you are an inspiration to many for all your efforts. You folks do a remarkable job.

The Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park is moving ahead with plans for the commercial kitchen and is in the process of setting up some classes that will be taught by local folks. I understand that a sewing class will be among the first and will be geared to pre-teens. Since I don’t have all the details, I will be posting updates in this column as they become available.

The Community Computer Center and the Grays River Valley Library are officially open for your pleasure. The new hours are Monday and Tuesday from 1 to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.

Remember the Halloween Party that was held at Johnson Park last year? We would like to make it an annual event for the community, but we need your help. There are sign up sheets at the park if you’re interested in volunteering. Trick or Treating will be available in part of the building and for those who prefer not to celebrate Halloween; the rest of the building will be set up with a harvest theme, including games and food. Hopefully the evenings fare will include a movie. Again, more details coming.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at Rosburg Hall will enjoy macaroni and cheese with veggies, hot rolls and dessert on the 24th. On the 31st the menu will be sloppy Joes, tater tots, veggies and dessert. Lunch is usually served at noon for a nominal donation of $4.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, lunches are also served to seniors at the same location and the meals are sponsored by CAP. No meals will be served on Thursday, the 18th as they are closed for the Wahkiakum County Fair; On Tuesday, the 23rd – beef Yakisoba, Asian stew, Mandarin oranges and raspberry mousse; Thursday, the 25th – chili fiesta veggies, spinach salad, cornbread and tapioca pudding.

Happy Birthday to the following celebrants this coming week: Lee Clark, Noah Kent, Rhiana Jacot, Eric Ervest, Travis Pakenen, Stacey Strange, Randy Tienhaara, Tasha Ford, Cheryl Raistakka, Brandon Rose, Jacob Pakenen, Lynn Clifford, Jason Raistakka, May Adair, Marilyn Sherk. I hope you each have a perfect day.

Happy Anniversary wishes to the following couples: Scott and Lynn Boyle, Jim and Debee Bauer, Todd and Jen Blanchard, Hans and Jenelle Varila, Sean and Jamie Eastham, Mr. and Mrs. Randy Tienhaara, David and Kristi Leeland, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bocker, Byron and Kathy Saari, John and Whitney Hess, John and Judy Indermark and David and Debbie Klinger. Wishing you many more.

Finally, the haying is done here in our fields. I see that there are a few farmers still working on getting theirs all in. The weather finally feels like summer but the early mornings are feeling a little like fall.

I picked a few bowls of blackberries while we still had company, so they got to enjoy blackberries and cream, before they headed east to look at their property in Idaho. Now, it’s time to get the berry jam put in the freezer, if the weather cooperates.

Enjoy the Wahkiakum County Fair with your families this weekend. Hope to see you there.