The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Daffodils are coming up and they’re beginning to bloom but still the weather doesn’t seem to be pointing to nicer weather in the near future. Lots of robins pulling worms out of the dirt and enjoying a meaty feast. Frogs singing every night, so there is hope.

News from Naselle:

No school on Monday for Naselle students in honor of Presidents' Day.

The list has been posted for 2nd Quarter Honor Roll for the Naselle-Grays River Valley School District. High school students include Seniors Alex Bighill, Chase Chapman, Cody Cooley, Haleigh See, Nathan Reitz, Nicole Tarabochia and Taylor Wasmundt*; Juniors: Amber Wirkkala, Austin Smith, Bonnie Ruch, Christopher Walkowiak, Cramer Smith, Lidia Sanchez, Rachel Underwood and Trevin Leeland; Sophomores: Allison Todd*, Chandler Chapman*, Ciara Sandell*, Jacob Condon, Jordon Badger, Jordan Smith, Levi Wasmundt*, Makenzie Matthews, Mary Wirkkala*, Paul de Montaudouin, Raymond Shotwell, Shae Trost, Thomas Shotwell and Victoria Corona; Freshmen: Aaron DeVall, Benjamin Gonzalez, Christina Carter, Dakota Phillips, David Blaylock, Grace Zimmerman*, Haley Pine, Jacob Williams, Karianne Condon*, Katie Green*, Keith Reitz, Nicholas Strange*, Shalin Wulf and Tyler VerHulst.

Naselle Middle School Honor students include 8th grade: Amethyst Wirkkala*, Breanna Smith, Brittany Waltemate*, Connor See, Elizabeth Winters, Emily Gjovik*, Franco Smith*, Madison Green, Madison Wirkkala, Matthew Carter, Olivia Zimmerman* and Skyler York; 7th grade: Emily Bjornsgard**, Haley Footh, Hannah Ellsworth, Jake Clark*, Jordyn VerHulst, Kendra Leeland*, Makayla Matthews, Natisha Cooper, Ramzi Estes, Taylor Eaton* and Travis Pine: 6th grade: Alexander Stenvall, Alexis Nortrup, Andrew Todd*, Anthony Wirkkala, Brian Smith, Cameron Burch, Ellie Chapman*, Elyssa Hale, Isabel Zimmerman*, Isabella Salazar*, Jacob Scrabeck, Jacqueline Jarrett, Karinda Cooper, Kelly Langston, Kyle Strange*, Kyryn Jacot*, Makayla Mabbitt, Philippe de Montaudouin, Raja Estes* and Shannon Christie*. Note: * High Honors (3.75). ** 4.0 GPA. Congratulations to all students, keep up the good work. This list is a tribute to a good school system, good staff, family support, and just good hard work by the students. Be proud of the accomplishments.

The Valentine Smorgasbord lunch, sponsored and served by the American Legion Auxiliary Deep River Post #111, last weekend was awesome from all the reports I’ve heard. As usual there was plenty of food, and lots of like minded folks enjoying the feast while at the same time donating to a great cause. Thank you, ladies, for all your efforts and wonderful cooking skills. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the event, but we did get all the insulation in the house, so I guess that was consolation enough.

Congratulations to Susan Holway, one of the organizers of the Finnish American Folk Festival since 1982 has been named “Galvanized Finn of the Month” by the Finnish American Reporter. Susan has also served on the FinnFest USA Board for six years and wrote “Remember Where You Started From” which tells about the history of Naselle. She was instrumental in putting together the “Finn-Am Jams” that are so popular.

Some other activities coming up, of particular interest to local Finns and friends. The Finlandia Foundation Columbia-Pacific Chapter of Portland, Oregon is presenting for the first time the annual Wilho Saari Award for Finnish Kantele on Saturday, March 5th, at their Mannerheim Dinner. The dinner is open to all FFCPC members, Finns, and friends of Finns. It is $30 per person for wine, dinner, and entertainment. It begins at 6 p.m. at Smith Center at Portland State University. Smith Center is next door to the Finnish Classroom. Please RSVP to Seppo Saarinen by February 28, 360 450-9748 or seppo.saarinen@comcast.net . Send checks to FFCPC, Dirk Schulbach, Treasurer, 0231 S.W. Palatine Hill Rd., Portland, OR 97219. The FFCPC Annual Meeting is that same day from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Finnish Classroom.

Save the date of April 9. On that Saturday Kaivama (violin and guitar) will present a concert at Suomi Hall in Astoria starting at 7 p.m. This duo is from Minnesota. Admission is $10. Scandinavian dancing follows at 9 p.m.

Other news from the Westend:

Congratulations to Kay Chamberlain for winning the diamond necklace (again) at the Valentine Diamond Dinner in Skamokawa, last Saturday evening. Once again I missed out on an event, due to working on the house, but it is coming along. I hear it was a sell out, the food was wonderful and the music and company was very enjoyable. The Wahkiakum County Fair will benefit from the generosity of all the diners and raffle ticket holders, and everyone will be looking forward to next year's dinner, I’m sure.

Carl Wirkkala and his group "Ghost Town Boys" will play for the pleasure of the community on February 26 at the Valley Bible Church located at 4723 SR 4 West. The country gospel concert will begin at 7 p.m. followed by a coffee hour. The concert is free but donations will gladly be accepted.

Johnson Park has recently published its first newsletter called “Old School” and was put together by Advisory Board president Timo Virkkala. You can pick up a copy at the Rosburg Store, the Grays River Café, Okie’s Select Market in Naselle, at the Computer Center and at the Grays River Valley Library at Johnson Park. If you would like me to send an electronic copy, just e-mail me with your address and I will see that you receive one. Good job, Timo.

The newsletter gives an overview of things happening now, with days and times listed for different activities. It gives our visions of a new certified kitchen and the progress we are making to that end. There are names and numbers to call if you want to help, and lots of help will be needed, now and in the future if we plan to succeed, which we do.

As I write this column this week, we are making some changes in the exercise room and moving out some of the excess equipment. Remember, if you donated it, please come and pick it up, if you want it. If not it will be donated to another cause.

The sewing machines that were donated by Wahkiakum High School are in process of being cleaned and adjusted. Cynthia Lahti is working on getting operating manuals for them as well.

It also looks like we will have our new satellite office for the Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s office. Sheriff Dearmore has been moving things in and out of his space at Johnson Park, so it should be a reality soon. Welcome to the Westend!

The community computer center is doing a little cleanup of its own and getting ready for the move into the library. We will be getting rid of any old monitors, CPUs, printers, keyboards, etc. If you have any information on recycling centers, please let me know.

The new hours for the Grays River Valley Library are as follows: Wednesday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Library cards are free for everyone. We have about 10,000 books including fiction for adults and children, non-fiction for adults and children, audio books, movies, music CDs and reference materials.

Looking for some unique items? Teresa Search will hold a garage sale at Johnson Park on March 4 and 5 (Friday and Saturday) that will feature antiques and collectibles. She will then hold another sale the third weekend in March with more merchandise, both old and new. More information to come.

The Rosburg Community Club will hold their regular monthly meeting tonight (Thursday) at 7 p.m. This group does much for our community, and is looking for a few new members to help pick up the slack. The meetings usually last about one hour for business and there is always wonderful food served as well as lots of conversation with some neat ladies with great ideas. If you are interested in checking the meeting out, simply show up and join in.

Some of the ongoing activities sponsored by the Rosburg Community Club are the spring chicken dinner, the holiday bazaar and luncheon, they also maintain the Rosburg Hall and the Rosburg Cemetery and give scholarships to our local youth. It is a very generous group of hardworking and caring individuals.

Let’s not forget the annual American Legion Crab Feed that will be held on March 5 at the Rosburg Hall again this year. Tickets are on sale now and there are only a limited number to be sold, so get them soon or miss out. All you can eat oysters, as well as crab and all the trimmings, a huge raffle, and a dance after all the early festivities. Always lots of fun.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at the Rosburg Hall, will dine on good old fashioned meat loaf with mashed spuds and gravy, veggies, hot rolls and dessert on the 23rd.

The Rosburg Senior Community Lunches, sponsored by CAP are served at the above location on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The menus for the coming week include: Thursday, the 17th-baked ham, scalloped potatoes, cheese and cauliflower, sliced peaches and chocolate mousse; Tuesday, the 22nd-turkey tetrazzini, orange quinoa salad, broccoli Normandy and pineapple upside down cake; Thursday, the 24th-barbeque beef sandwich, potato salad, Oregon bean medley, sliced oranges and peanut butter bars.

Happy birthday to the following celebrants this week: Junea Brannon, Hilary Erickson, Kayse Rogers, Nicholas Phipps, Jill Ragnoni, Jason Mennen, Eva Malerich, Paul Footh, Kaylee Albright, Peter McGuire, Karl Mahlum, Mike Olmstead, Nathan Engelson, Deanna Wilson, Eleanor Elliott, Logan Leaf, Paul Wirkkala, Audrey Ullakko, Rhonda Warra, Rowena Ehrlund, Mike Queener, Judy Indermark, Cortney Engelson and Gary Nelson. Hope your day is extra special.

Happy Anniversary to these couples for the coming week: Ken and Donna Tyyska, Norman and Phyllis Sotka, Isaac and Mary Beth Queral and Jon and Norilyn Pakenen. Wishing you many more.

Great news for us—our electrical inspection is finished and the power can now be turned on to the house. Insulation is done so we can call in the contractor for the drywall, then we will have rooms with walls and ceilings. I never realized what a huge undertaking it is to build a house. The details, and still more details, are incredible. But we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.