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

News from Naselle:

Naselle-Grays River Valley sports calendar for the coming week includes: Thursday-high school girls basketball at Raymond at seven p.m .; Friday, high school boys basketball with Ocosta in Westport at 5:45 p.m .; Saturday, home high school girls basketball against Ocosta at 7 p.m .; Monday, middle school boys basketball at Raymond at 5:45 p.m .; Tuesday, home high school boys basketball against South Bend at 5:45 p.m .; Wednesday, high school girls basketball at South Bend at 5:45 p.m. and home middle school boys basketball against Ocosta at 5:45 p.m. Go Comets!

Colette Beaulaurier, 2007 Naselle High School graduate, and daughter of Scott and Patti Beaulaurier of Naselle gives her parents and her community one more reason to be proud of her. Colette departed for Germany on December 17 and will return home in January 2014. She is employed by the Department of Defense as a civilian and is working at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area of the Bavarian Alps about 56 miles south of Munich.

This Armed Forces Recreation Center located in the Bavarian Alps was established in the winter of 1945-46 as an R&R center for the U.S. Occupational Forces. The resort provides recreation, sports, tours and lodging for overseas American service members and their families.

With Germany centrally located in Europe, Colette plans to do lots of sightseeing on her days off. Colette graduated from Western Washington University in June 2011 with a degree in recreation with a focus on tourism and a minor in communications.

The third annual Old Time Loggers Reunion will take place at the Appelo Archives Center in Naselle on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. with this year’s honorees, Howard Laney and Johnny Berquist. Come join in the fun and enjoy cake and coffee.

William V. Wuorinen, a life-long resident of Naselle will be awarded the Silver Star by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera-Beutler on January 30. The ceremony will start at 1:30 p.m. in the Naselle School gymnasium. This award is being presented to Mr. Wuorinen for his action on March 16, 1953 in Korea.

The award has been a long time coming and the community is invited to help Mr. Wuorinen celebrate. Thank you Mr. Wuorinen for your bravery and service to our country.

Are you ready for Valentine’s Day? Why not treat your sweetheart to some wonderful food? The Annual Valentine’s Smorgasbord will be held on February 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Naselle School commons. This fundraiser is prepared and served by the American Legion Auxiliary from Deep River. Tickets are $10 for adults and teens, $6 for pre-teens and $2 for kids under six. Proceeds from this event will benefit local veterans' needs, scholarships and charities.

Other news from the Westend:

Attention Grays River and Rosburg residents (and anyone else who might be reading this column)! The Grays River Fire Department will hold a discussion with local residents on January 30 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for the purpose of getting to know what to do in case of a cardiac emergency situation and to give you some information on the use of public access AED (automated external defibrillators) in case you are ever in need of it. On hand will be American Heart Association instructors to answer questions and inform you about when to use the AED device as well as demonstrating hands-only CPR techniques. You will also learn where in the community the AEDs are located.

NOTE: Important! This is not a full CPR certification class and no certifications or cards will be issued. This is only a chance for the local population to become more familiar with the use of these lifesaving devices.

The chili, clam chowder and chicken noodle soup chowdown in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park last Sunday was a huge success. Our thanks to those folks who came and enjoyed the wonderful homemade fare, and to those who didn’t make it-you really missed out.

We served lots of locals and several out-of-towners including a hitchhiker on his way through the area. He commented that the food was great and the people here are so kind and friendly too! We already knew that.

The new, larger movie screen arrived in time for the free Friday night movie last week. What a difference it makes! The movie last week was an old western, Rio Bravo. I had never seen it and really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and good company. February will have a whole new lineup of newer movies for your viewing pleasure. To find out what is playing, check local bulletin boards for posters or call the Grays River Valley Library/Community Computer Center at 465-2310. A different movie is shown every week and it is free. Concessions are available with popcorn, candy, coffee, and sodas. Won’t you join us for a fun evening? This is a great opportunity to let us know what movies you would like to see, and to give us some more ideas to make this endeavor more successful. Eventually, we would like to cater to local teens with pizza and a movie, or dinner and a movie, double features, children’s night, marathons, and more. Help us out with your input.

Advance tickets are now on sale for the Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction to be held March 9 at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. The admission price is $10 and will benefit the center. You can purchase tickets from me, Penny Gregory, Steve and Linda Ramsay or at the Grays River Valley Library/ Computer Center.

The meal will be prepared by a very special guest chef, Nick Nickolas from Tacoma (Penny Gregory’s father). He has been involved with many successful spaghetti dinners in Tacoma and we welcome his expertise as well as his generosity in helping to get our kitchen approved. Much of the equipment being used was donated from his church in Tacoma through his efforts on our behalf. I have had the pleasure of tasting his sauce and it is awesome. Included on the menu will be spaghetti and meatballs, salad, French bread, dessert and beverages. Wine will be available as a separate purchase.

The silent auction has some great items to bid on, but if you would like to donate something to the cause, please call Penny Gregory or me. We look forward to a great turnout, your generosity and your participation in our efforts to maintain and grow your Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets every week at the Rosburg Hall with lunch served at noon. Meals are prepared and served by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew. On Tuesdays and Thursdays seniors are welcomed for lunches at the same location for lunches sponsored, prepared and served by CAP. It is a great venue to spend a few hours a week for nutritious meals and good company.

Happy Birthday to the following: Rita Rafferty, Sheldon Warden, Michelle Wirkkala, Sarah Dotson, Monte Givens, Andrea Kay Smith, Esther Gregg, Jill Keller, Paty Rose, Caitlin McGuire, Deanna Gjovik, Bruce Harkness, Dan Moravec, Jeff Reimann, Ron Stube, Bill Wood, Bill Littlefield, Shellie Badger, Brittany Legler, Clayton Strong, John Didion Jr., Joe Dziados and Garrett Boggs. I hope each of you have a perfect day.

Happy Anniversary to Alfred and Carolyn Simukka and also Craig and Diane Mattson. Wishing you many more celebrations together.