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

As we wrap up summer, I will review some of the events our Grange was part of. In addition, I will recognize key people who made these events a success.

Grays River Grange hosted this year’s salmon dinner at the Finnish American Folk Festival in Naselle. Nearly 200 dinners were purchased. Thanks to all who participated in this fund raiser for the Grange. We have been invited back to prepare the dinner for the 2014 Finn Festival. There were many comments on what an excellent dinner the Grange prepared. The salmon was superb, Scandinavian potatoes excellent, along with all the other side dishes, breads, and desserts. We had a lot of support from volunteers such as Lois Wakefield, Rod Ammer, workers from Fred’s Homegrown in Naselle, Darbury Novoselic, Debby Agee and Carol Ervest’s grandsons. Thank you, Mike Backman, for donating the Alaskan salmon for this year’s dinner. I apologize for those I missed but realize you were appreciated. We also need to thank Grange Chaplain, Carol Ervest, who spearheaded the fund raiser. Carol put a lot of time and effort into the event. Along with the Grange dinner, she also worked with the 4H group making soups for Finn Fest. Thank you, Carol, for all that you do for the Grange.

Grays River Grange has ended one fund raiser and begun another. Grange Master, Krist Novoselic, has donated a Krist Novoselic signature RD Gibson Bass Guitar to the Grange. The bass guitar will be raffled with the drawing being held at the Grange’s Christmas Party on December 11. Tickets sell for $2. The lucky winner will receive an autographed RD Gibson Bass. Thank you, Krist, for your generosity in donating the bass guitar. Ticket sales were brisk at the Wahkiakum County Fair and Farmstock. Tickets can be purchased from Grays River Grange members.

Grays River Grange would like to thank the Wahkiakum County Fair Board for dedicating this year’s fair to Grays River Grange. The Grange has taken pride in participating in the Wahkiakum County Fair for many years. One of the fun activities that Grange participates in is the Spelling Bee. This year’s Spelling Bee attracted around 30 participants. Ages are divided up in two categories. Grangers Esther Gregg, Sulema Zerr and Krist Novoselic oversaw the Spelling Bee and reported that there was great audience attendance and excellent spellers. This year’s winners are Upper Division: 6th, 7th, & 8th grades: first place, Charley Childers, Cathlamet; second place, Katie Stacey, Cathlamet; and third place, Katie Johnson, Cathlamet. Lower Division: 3rd, 4th, 5th graders; first place, Jonah Gordan from Odessey; second place: Evan Quigley, Skamokawa and third place Ariella Bloom, Lake Oswego, Ore. Winners received $75, $50 & $25 respectively for each division. Thanks to all that participated.

Upcoming Grange events include the Candidates Forum on October 9 at 7 p.m. at the Grays River Grange Hall. If you are a candidate and have not been contacted but would like to attend, contact the Grange at the phone number or link listed below. At our October 23 meeting, we will exemplify the 3rd Degree of the Grange.

Need to contact the Grange, call 465-2268 and leave a message or email grange@wwest.net. Don’t forget to visit the Grange website http://graysriver.grange.wahkiakum.info.

Grays River Grange meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Dinner begins at 6:45 p.m. and the business meeting at 7:30 p.m.