I just visited with Bob and Bev Paul at the Rosburg Store and they asked me to let everyone know how much their experience at the Grays River Café has meant to them. They said that the past 10 years here has been the best, they have made so many dear friends, enjoyed the ups and downs of our area (flooding, etc.), and the willingness of everyone to help out when it was needed and appreciate the opportunity they have had to be here in our beautiful, loving community. The people here are very special to them, and they wanted to say a big thank you.

On that note, I want to thank them for being here and giving the community a great place to meet, eat and enjoy delicious food and good company. Their new restaurant in Longview will be located on 15th Ave., and will probably open sometime in August. They said they would keep me informed. Best wishes, Bob and Bev. We will definitely stop by when you reopen in Longview.

Speaking of the Rosburg Store, you can now order a pizza from their new kitchen by calling 465-2223. We had one on Saturday and it was really good. The convenience of not having to go a long distance for one is a wonderful benefit. Stop in and pick up a menu and find out what other good things will be coming to their new food offerings.

Their pizza hours are 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the last order taken at 8:45 p.m. and during the week orders can be made until 6:45 p.m.

Norm is also making homemade bread for sale, so the store smells like a farmhouse kitchen. I will be picking up my first loaf of whole wheat as soon as he calls me to say it is out of the oven. Yummy!

The Grays River Habitat Enhancement District will hold its regular monthly meeting on July 10 in the Grays River Valley Center at 6 p.m. These meetings are open to the public and landowners are encouraged to attend.

Rosburg resident Penny Gregory was the guest reader at Storytime last Friday in the Grays River Valley Library. She had quite a group of youngsters and after the reading everyone went outside to the new picnic tables for cupcakes and a little fun in the sun.

If anyone is interested in reading a favorite kid’s book to the group, please contact the library at 465-2310. We would also like to have some students participate in this program.

There was quite a crowd for last week’s Free Friday night movie, Argo, in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. Join us for recently run movies on our big screen with HD projection and surround sound. The movie is free, and concessions (popcorn, chips, candy, pop and coffee) are available. The first and fourth Friday night movies are family friendly, so bring the kids and enjoy. This week’s movie is a 2013 supernatural romantic fantasy and is rated PG-13.

For more information on upcoming movies, please call 465-2310 or check out posters at various bulletin boards around the county.

Join us on Facebook at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park or on the web at http://www.johnsonpark.org for updates on what is happening now as well as future events in the months ahead.

There’s a lot going on in the community this month. The Johnson Park Advisory Board hopes that you will take the time to join us for our Second Annual Community Potluck Picnic and a special 75th birthday celebration for the old Rosburg School building on July 21. The board will be barbecuing hamburgers and hot dogs. Bring a salad or dessert to share and make it a family afternoon with games, donkey cart rides, a ball game or two, and some plain old local visiting or gossiping.

Bring your guitar, violin, or whatever instruments you play and give us some good old homegrown music to enjoy for the afternoon. Let’s make this a true community gathering for families and friends.

The building will be open to you, so you can see the progress that we have made in bringing a true community center to you, with lots of ongoing activities and many special events planned. We also hope to have members of the sheriff’s office, EMS volunteers, and Search and Rescue and fire department personnel and equipment in attendance.

If you have stories to tell about the school building, or about your years as a student, teacher, parent, employee or visitor we would love to hear them, and an area will be set aside for that purpose. We would also like copies of old photos to share with the community for the event.

The Grays River Valley Library will be closed on July 4 and 5 for the holiday. Regular hours will resume on July 8.

Check out the beautiful handmade quilt on display in the Grays River Valley Library, which will be raffled off at the Second Annual Oktoberfest on October 12 at the Grays River Valley Center. Tickets are available for $1 in the Grays River Valley Library or from Johnson Park Board members. If you have questions, please call 465-2960.

You can take advantage of the expertise of Arlene Stefan in the sewing room at the Grays River Valley Center. She is available for “open sew” on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. You can contact Arlene at 465-2919 for more information.

It looks like the Naselle –Grays River Valley School basketball team will have a couple more excellent basketball players in a few years. As I was leaving the Grays River Valley Center earlier today, Gus and Bowen Burkhalter exited the gym carrying equipment bags bigger than themselves. I understand they are learning the basics. Guess sports are just a natural part of being a Burkhalter. They are so cute.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets weekly at the Rosburg Hall for a home-cooked meal prepared and served by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew. An EMS volunteer is usually available to check your blood pressure if you would like to have it taken. Lunch is served at noon.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, senior lunches are also served at the above location and are sponsored by CAP. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with your friends and neighbors for a good, nutritious meal as well as a nice afternoon socializing.

Happy Birthday to the following: Alan See, Angelee Torppa, Jeffery Mennen, Eleanor Saari, Don Revis, Wilho Saari, Morgan Weston, Matt Helvey, Conner Leaf, Ethan Smalley, June Berquist, Mindi Ullakko, Dale Rose, Kinsley Lanz, Conner Smith, Jason Gradt and Lauren Katyryniuk. Here’s wishing each of you a perfect day.

Happy Anniversary wishes to Larry and Berneice Helton, Bill and Debbie Littlefield, Paul and Darlene Bjornsgard, Mike and Barb Swanson, Bryon and Jen Penttila, Evert and Rowena Ehrlund, Chuck and Judy Torppa and Leo and Mary Saari. Here’s wishing you many more anniversary celebrations.

As you celebrate this Independence Day with family and friends, remember the true heroes, the military personnel who keep our country safe so we can celebrate our independence and freedoms. Keep all of these brave men and women in your prayers, and tell a vet thank you as well for their service.

Our house will be filled with family and friends for the holiday through the weekend, and we are definitely looking forward to it. Frisbee golf, racing the little race car, a little motorcycling, some target practice, barbecuing, s’mores by the fire pit in the evening, a few tall tales, and even some brew from the Smith Rock Brewing Company (our kids’ brew pub) in Redmond, Oregon.

Here’s wishing all the readers a safe and wonderful Fourth of July celebration. Don’t forget your pets. Keep them safe from all the loud noises and keep them hydrated so they don’t suffer too much from the warm weather that is predicted. If you are headed to the beach or river, remember to have life jackets. The water is still quite cold and some rivers and streams are still running swiftly. The ocean is always risky, so play safely, and watch out for each other. Happy Fourth!