Thank you Mother Nature, we really are getting a summer. This weather is great, not too hot for too long and it even cools down at night. We had the pleasure of Steve and Linda Ramsay’s grandchildren coming over for a hot dog roast with s’mores and ice cream the other night after they went swimming in the Grays River near our house. Kids sure have a way of brightening the day. Thank you for the kid fix, Sarah, Skyler, Logan, Brandon and Brenton. Come back any time. Oh yes, glad to have Steve, Linda, Brandon and Amanda as well.

News from Naselle:

This is the last full week of vacation before school begins again for the 2012-13 year in the Naselle-Grays River Valley School District. One more long weekend and then it’s back to the books. Here’s to a great school year for all the students, teachers, administration and parents.

Though the students are still on vacation, the teachers will be on campus this week for teacher workdays.

School supply lists are available for Naselle at several stores including Fred Meyer in Warrenton. If you know of a student who needs help in getting their supplies, contact the school for assistance.

Stop by and check out what the Naselle Lutheran Church has to offer at their Labor Day Weekend Garage Sale. The event will be held on September 1 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the church located at 308 Knappton Road in Naselle. Coffee and baked goods will also be available. Proceeds from this event will be used for painting and roof maintenance on the church.

Other news from the Westend:

Everyone is welcome for a fun evening at the Grays River United Methodist Church for a barbecue to be held on Saturday at 6 p.m. On the menu will be hot dogs and s’mores among other goodies. There will be music, a sing-a-long, as well as the good food and fellowship. In the meantime, let’s hope for the cooperation of the fickle Grays River weather, so it can be an outdoor event. The church is located at 3624 SR 4 West in Grays River.

Mark your calendar for October 13, when the Johnson Park Advisory Board will host Oktoberfest. The menu will include German sauerbraten with other authentic side dishes, prepared by Steve and Linda Ramsay. A limited number of tickets will be sold, and you can reserve one now by calling Steve Ramsay at 465-2731, Penny Gregory at 465-2775 or me at 465-2960. Tickets are $10 each and include a raffle ticket for a cord of wood, to be given away at the dinner. Extra raffle tickets are also available for purchase. This is a fund raiser for the park, and proceeds will be used for maintenance and operating expenses for the building and grounds.

The park and the Grays River Valley Center are run on donations and by volunteers. They do not receive money from the county or from taxes. You can purchase a yearly sponsorship for you and your immediate family for only $65 per year or an individual for $45.

If you are interested in renting the park, cafeteria or a meeting room, please contact our events coordinator, Judy Durrah at 465-2331. She will let you know if the area or room is available when you need it. Calendars are posted in the hallways at the north end and west end of the old school building, with the ongoing activities that are available to you.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at Rosburg Hall will enjoy a nice summery meal including a manwich on a bun with coleslaw, fruit and dessert on the 29th. On September 5 they will be served spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Come join them for a great meal and friendship.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, lunches are also served at the above location and are sponsored by CAP. Menus for the Rosburg Senior Community Lunches this week include: Thursday, the 23rd-chili, fiesta veggies, spinach salad, cornbread and tapioca pudding; Tuesday, the 28th-chicken noodle soup, half a ham wrap, orange barley salad and brownies; Thursday, the 30th-pulled pork sandwich, potato salad, baked beans and berry crisp.

Happy Birthday this week to Cheryl Raistakka, Brandon Rose, Jacob Pakenen, Lynn Clifford, Jason Raistakka, May Adair, Marilyn Sherk, Taryn Anderson, Julie Howell, Gabriel See, Ann Hurst, Jeff Johnson, Eddie Wirkkala, Makenzie Matthews, Jon Gudmundsen, Joyce Kilponen, Norman Anderson, Dan White, Josie Eastham, Mona Givens, Wendy Anderson, Emma Kragerod, Pat Rose, Michal Corbin, Calen Thompson, River Andring, Thomas Gradt, Shellie Baker, Kim Gray, Laura Seiferd, Luke Gardner and Curt Reitz. Wishing each of you a wonderful day.

Happy Anniversary wishes go out to John and Whitney Hess, John and Judy Indermark, David and Debbie Klinger, Dewey and Shannon Adair, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Blake, Robert and Dawn Footh and Jack and Marge Smith. Enjoy your special day.

The park at the Grays River Covered Bridge was the scene for the wedding of a wonderful young couple last Saturday afternoon. Miranda Agee, daughter of Mark and Debbie Agee of Naselle became the bride of Kenneth Bisbing, son of Shelley Agnitsch in the country themed afternoon ceremony. The bride was radiant according to some of the attendees, and the food served by Fred Johnson of Naselle was delicious. Congratulations to the newlyweds who will make their home in Naselle.

The sit down wedding rehearsal dinner for Miranda and Kenneth was prepared by friends of the bride’s family (Penny Gregory, Jessica Gregory and Bonnie Kohn) and was served at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park.

This is a special weekend in our family, as our oldest granddaughter will be getting married in Terrebonne, Ore. Marlee Lundquist will become the bride of Scott Hueners in an outdoor ceremony on Saturday. They will make their home in Redmond, Ore. All of our children and grandchildren will be in attendance as well. A second family reunion for this year. What can be better than that?