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

It’s hard to believe that it is the middle of November already. The nice weather we have had so far makes you wonder what Mother Nature has in store for us for the rest of the winter. My rain gauge says that we have less than half of our normal average rainfall so far, so let’s hope we don’t get the rest of it in the next month and a half.

News from Naselle:

If you shop at Okie’s Market in Naselle, as most of us do, you probably know that a sweet, personable, hard working friend has left us. Julie Burns passed away this week and will certainly be missed by everyone who ever came in contact with her. Please pray for her family and friends in this time of grief, and be thankful for all the good things she enjoyed in her shortened time on this earth. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to her family.

A memorial service has been scheduled for December 14th at noon in the Grange Hall in Naselle next to the post office.

Sports calendar for the Naselle Comet teams this week includes: Thursday, the 14th-middle school girls basketball at North Beach at 5:45 p.m .; Tuesday, the 19th-middle school girls basketball with Valley in Naselle at 6:30 p.m .; Thursday, the 21st-middle school girl’s basketball at South Bend at 5:45 p.m. Go Comets!!

Parent/teacher conferences will conclude tomorrow for Naselle students, so kids will be released at 12:30 p.m. today and tomorrow.

Fall sports awards will be presented on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Please join the team members and their families as we recognize their accomplishments so far this year. These kids play their hearts out and should be praised for their efforts. Go Comets!

There will be a Naselle-Grays River Valley School Board meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. With changes coming regarding board members with the last election, it should be an informative meeting. These meetings are open to the public and community members are encouraged to attend.

This is the time of year when the folks who can use a helping hand, really need our support. Food banks are the life giving source for many families. Now is the time to show how much you care and support this effort in our own communities.

On Saturday, the 23rd, ESA Alpha Theta will hold a food drive to benefit the Naselle Food Bank from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Okie’s Select Market in Naselle. Let’s help this group make a difference and give them lots of support. For more information or questions please call 484-3844.

The Naselle Finnish-American Choir will be performing their Deep River Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 8th at 2:00 p.m. at the historic Deep River Evangelical Lutheran Church in beautiful downtown Deep River. The concert will feature the Finnish Kanteles, several solos, community Christmas carol sing-a-long and the Naselle Finnish-American choir under the direction of Cliff Weimer.

Following the concert there will be a Soup Supper at the Naselle Lutheran Church from 4 to 6 p.m. The ladies of the church will have prepared several soups accompanied by homemade breads for your pleasure. Admission is by donation, and all proceeds go toward the upkeep and maintenance of the beautiful Deep River Church.

In preparation for the concert, the choir will rehearse on the following Saturdays: November 16th and 23rd and December 7th at 10 a.m. at the Naselle Lutheran Church.

Westend news

Don’t forget the annual fall pancake breakfast put on by the American Legion Deep River Post #111, which had been postponed from last Saturday, due to the memorial service for Lyle Patterson. It will take place this Saturday, 8 to11:00 a.m.

Breakfast includes all you can eat pancakes, with sides of eggs cooked any way you want them, ham or sausage, milk, juice and coffee, cooked and served by Legion members.

Proceeds from this fundraiser help to maintain the building, fund scholarships and help our local veterans and charities. Hope to see a great turnout again this year. Thank you Legion members for all you do in our community.

Every Friday night is Free Movie Night at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. The show starts at 7 p.m. and concessions are available with pop, candy, popcorn and coffee for reasonable prices.

On the first and fourth Fridays we show kid friendly flicks so bring the whole family. If they would be more comfortable on the floor, bring along some pillows or a comforter for them to lie on. We are pretty informal and we want you to be comfortable.

For more information on what movie is being shown please call 465-2310.

Mark your calendar for a fantastic day of fun, prizes, learning and free informational activities at the “Living Well in Wahkiakum County” event coming up on November 20th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park in Rosburg. The program is sponsored by Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services and the comprehensive gathering will provide you with the information and tools to “be prepared” should there be a disaster or an emergency.

If you wish to have a light lunch while you are attending this function, there will be soup (beef barley, vegan vegetable and chicken noodle, all home made) and hot rolls available for a minimal fee. Proceeds from the meal will help defray the cost of heat, and general upkeep of the building and grounds at Johnson Park.

Some of the partners and resources coming together for this day of information include: Wahkiakum Health and Human Services, Area Agency on Aging, St. James Family Center/Charlotte House, Helping Hands Food Bank, Wahkiakum Department of Emergency Management, Social Security, DSHS, Wahkiakum County Sheriffs Department, Family Health Center, Washington Health Insurance Enrollment, Wahkiakum Food Bank, Lower Columbia CAP, Hunger Relief Task Force, Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park, Red Cross, SHIBA, etc. If you would like to become a part of this event by representing your organization, you can call Terrie Howell of Wahkiakum County Community Outreach 360 795-8630 and press option 2, for more information.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets at the Rosburg Hall each week for a delicious down home cooked meal prepared and served by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew. This week’s menu includes stew, hot rolls and dessert. Next week on the 20th, they will celebrate a little early with their annual Thanksgiving Social. Bring a dish to share and give thanks with this wonderful group. Lunch is served at noon.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch will not meet on the 27th, the day before Thanksgiving.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, senior lunches are also served at the above location and these meals are sponsored by CAP. The menus coming up: Thursday, the 14th-Spanish meatballs, veggie paella and spinach salad; Tuesday, the 19th-roast turkey, baked yams, stuffing, peas and cauliflower, ambrosia salad; Thursday, the 21st-chicken Divan, roasted potatoes, Capri veggies and sliced melon.

CAP lunches will not be served at the above location on Thanksgiving Day, the 28th. Have a wonderful holiday.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to the following this coming week: Darrel Sotka, Jake Clark, Mary Rose Wirkkala, Sarah Haataia, Danny Parker, Carl Adair, Judy Kent, Robert Trimble, Hunter Haataia, Savannah Bryant, Cody Strange, Jacob Shelter, Kylie Legler, Jacob Revis, Barb Rose, Tiffany Coop, Gail Queener, Guy Wirkkala, Susan Burkhalter, Donna Goddard, Katie Bjornsgard, Natalie Wirkkala, Pat Howerton, Chris Dorman, Deborah Olson, Alexa York, Conner McIntee and Patrick McIntee. Here’s hoping your special day was perfect.

Happy Anniversary to: Mr. and Mrs. John Berquist, Greg and Andrea Smith, Rikki and Jill Saari and Jim and Marilyn Strange.

A special Happy Anniversary to Merlin and Judy Durrah, our good friends from Grays River. Wishing you many more years of celebrations together, and thanking you both for your community spirit and volunteerism. Have a wonderful day.

If you are looking for a relaxing therapeutic massage, I know just the spot and the person to make you feel on top of the world. Check out Bryon Parrino at the Naselle Massage Clinic in Naselle. Bryon has been working with my husband, Del, periodically since he had his stroke more than a year ago. With Bryon’s expertise and encouragement, he is doing much better with his mobility, and is making much improvement with the use of his hand and arm.

Another highlight in my husband’s ongoing therapy has been the twice weekly visits from our friend and neighbor, PJ Katims. She comes by for a few hours a week and we work on speech, games and exercise. Another perspective and a different approach seem to be stimulating for all of us. Thank you so much for your friendship and your help.

An additional update on Del’s stroke: He no longer takes any kind of prescription medicine, only two natural supplements, and he still travels to Portland once a week for a hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment. His blood pressure is near normal and most of the time better than a man half his age, and he rides a stationary bike at least 10 miles a week (2-3 miles at a session). His mobility is such that he no longer needs a wheelchair but he still uses his cane and walks with a limp. Speech continues to be our biggest obstacle, but we are working hard to overcome the problems associated with that. He is definitely a fighter. Thank you to everyone who asks about him, visits him and prays for him. We will make it.

This is the time of year when the big box stores continue their campaign to reel in the shoppers, with ads and lowered prices (though not always lower). If each one of us did some of our shopping locally this year, just think what it would do for our local economy. Not only would we be supporting local folks, in most cases we could be assured that the items we purchase are locally made, especially when buying from the many bazaars available. One other suggestion, why not purchase gift certificates for services, food, flowers, etc. provided by local vendors.

Better yet, why not make something with your own two hands, teach the kids some new skills and share what you have learned. Make it a traditional and memorable Christmas with your family and friends.