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

It is looking a lot more like summer, with the warmer days and more sunshine. I see more lawns being mowed and many farmers cutting the hay fields. Dirk Heitsch has brought his herd of cows back to our pasture and it is a joy to watch the babies romp and play in the tall grass. Dirk spoils “his girls” every day when he comes by. Each one needs to have some individual attention from him and they follow him around like puppy dogs. Maybe that’s why his beef tastes so good.

News from Naselle:

Congratulations to the Naselle-Grays River Valley Class of 2013. They were in kindergarten when we moved to the area. Wow, it really has been that long.

After all the years preparing for this moment in their lives, it has finally arrived-graduation from high school. Looking back, I’m sure that they remember both good times and rough times through this journey and looking forward there is probably much hope and success for the students of this class. No matter what path each of them takes, we wish them well, knowing that they have had a good education so far, made good friends and have always had the community support that is so unique to our school. The future is an open door for them, and it will be a success if they each choose to make it so. Best of luck to the Class of 2013.

Graduation ceremonies will take place on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the school gymnasium.

Kindergarten graduation will be held on Monday at 6 p.m. and the Eighth Grade Move-Up program will be on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

The final day of school for students will be on Friday, June 14 and they will be released early at 10:30 a.m.

If you haven’t been by the new Mochas and More espresso stand in Naselle, you really should try it. Laura is doing lots of different things to make her customers happy. She not only has coffees, but food as well. The breakfast sandwiches are wonderful. She is also on Facebook and if you friend her you can get all the updates on what is going on there. She is doing a trivia question right now, with free or discounted products for the right answer. Great coffee, food and fun too.

Westend news:

Sheriff Mark Howie extends an open invitation to his constituents for a meet and greet/campaign kickoff event on Thursday (today) at 6 p.m. in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. This will be a casual event with refreshments provided.

The first storytime was held at the Grays River Valley Center last Friday morning with four rambunctious but delightful boys in attendance. They enjoyed a couple of age-appropriate stories read by Mona Collver and then had the opportunity to do a few laps in the hallways. This is a great opportunity for your youngsters to get a little quiet time with others for a story and then some playing as well. We hope to make this a more common event, but we need your cooperation. Let us know what days would be good for you to bring your children, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

The Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park is hosting a work party on June 14 and 15 starting at 9 a.m. We will be doing some grounds cleanup and inside cleanup and could use your help. If you have a couple of hours either day, please join us. Lunch will be provided. For more information, please call Steve Ramsay at 465-2731 or Penny Gregory at 465-2775.

I just got an update on a couple of activities that occur on a regular basis at the Grays River Valley Center. The Yoga Group and the Art Group will suspend their schedule for the summer and resume again in October.

The open sew program is ongoing at the Center on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. for your convenience. Arlene Stefan is available to help out with any project of your choice. If you just need to do some mending, want to learn to sew, have a partially finished project, are stuck and need some advice about a sewing project, or want to learn to quilt, Arlene is the person to give you a hand. Call her if you need more information at 465-2919. The program may be scaled back to twice a month if we don’t have more participants.

If you have an event on the calendar at the Grays River Valley Center and are changing it for any reason, please call Judy Durrah, the events coordinator, so she can amend the scheduling. If you are interested in using the center for an event, please contact her to make sure that it is available. Monthly calendars are posted inside the building at both entrances, if you wish to check out ongoing programs.

Check out the beautiful quilt on display in the Grays River Valley Library. Buy a raffle ticket for a dollar and have a chance to win it. The raffle will take place in October at the second annual October Feast Dinner to be held on October 12 in the Grays River Valley Center. Tickets can be purchased at the library or from Johnson Park Board members.

This Friday night’s free movie at the Grays River Valley Center is a family-friendly Disney show. Bring the crew, buy some popcorn or a candy bar, a pop and relax and enjoy a fun evening together.

Last week’s movie was the new Quentin Tarantino film “Django Unchained.” It was a good story but a little too graphic for some. The movies that are being shown at the center are relatively new films, so why not take advantage of the opportunity to watch a good movie that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to see, not have to drive an hour to see, and watch it on our new big screen in comfortable chairs. Your only cost is concessions, if you choose. We would love to see more young people attending, so let us know what movies you would like to see, and we will get them.

Do you need smoke detectors in your home? How about free smoke detectors? Wahkiakum Fire District #3 has some available to residents living within the district. You can get more info by contacting Jon Gudmundsen at 465-2733 or Kevin Maki at (503) 298-7286. The units must be installed by a member of the fire department.

The Grays River Habitat Enhancement District will meet on June 12 for its regular monthly meeting. It will be held in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park at 6 p.m.

The Grays River Café has been a hub of family dining, meetings and just stopping in for a cup of good coffee and a piece of home made pie for the past few years. Those days are numbered now, as Bob and Bev Paul will be moving on to a new chapter in their lives. They will still be in the restaurant business when they open a new establishment in Longview, and they will be missed in our little community.

Their final day at the café will be on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16. It does seem fitting that Bob has to work on Father’s Day since Bev worked on Mother’s Day. They are an amazing couple.

There will be a potluck gathering at the Rosburg Hall on June 10 at 1 p.m. to wish Bob and Bev the best of luck and to tell them thank you for all those delicious onion rings, burgers, shakes, pies, prime rib, clam chowder, breakfasts, etc. Bring a dish to share and let them know how much we have enjoyed their dedication and friendship since they came to live here. I wish them the best in their new digs, and I for one will definitely be stopping by once they are open in Longview.

Welcome home to Marilyn Gudmundsen. She has been recuperating after knee surgery in Longview. I hope all is well, and that you are up and on the go again soon, Marilyn.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at the Rosburg Hall invites you to join them for a good home cooked meal each each week, prepared and served by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew. Lunch is served at noon for a small donation.

CAP sponsors the senior lunch program on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same location. It is a great way to meet new folks and visit with the regulars who attend.

Happy birthday to the following: Dawn Warden, Leigh Ann Wood, Pete Howard, Zack Badger, Diane Matthews, Jesse Lopez, Linda Bryant, Mildred Ziak, Shannon Wirkkala, Steve Gacke, Jo Mouliot, John Footh, Nick Zimmerman, Craig Haataia, Nicholas Strange, Tera Query, Chad Gregory and Brent Kragerud. I wish each of you a very special day.

Happy anniversary to Arne and Aliisa Wirkkala, Hank and Linda Nelson and Tom and Susan Gradt. I wish you many more celebrations together.

Time is ticking down to Father’s Day. If you haven’t already thought of something special for that particular guy, why not think local? Do your shopping right here in Wahkiakum County, at one of the many shops and businesses.