Happy May Day everyone! Does anyone remember the little crepe paper May baskets we made as kids, filled them with odds and ends and candies and hung them on door knobs. I wish I could remember how to fold the paper to cut them out. Anyone remember? My grandfather always got molasses chips in his basket because he was very special and they were his favorite candies.

News from Naselle:

Sports calendar for the Naselle Comet teams this week: Today (Thursday), fast pitch and baseball at Wishkah at 3:30 p.m., home track meet in Naselle at 3:30 p.m .; Tuesday, track at Ilwaco at 3:30 p.m .; Wednesday, middle school track at home in Naselle at 3:30 p.m. Go Comets!

This is the weekend for the annual Martha Circle Trash n’ Treasure sale. It will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Congregational Church in Naselle located at 14 Parpala Road. Check out the beautiful quilts, crafts, delicious baked goods and the other treasures for sale at the event. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include hot dogs, potato salad and a beverage.

Westend news

Gene Quilhough of Naselle is coaching some of the up and coming basketball stars of the future Naselle Comets. Since they aren’t tall enough to reach the baskets, Gene has taken it upon himself to raise enough money to replace the old basketball backboards with new adjustable height glass ones for the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. He did a fundraising concert on April 23 that was very well attended and was able to raise some of the money, but he could still use more.

If you are interested in donating to his special cause and to help out our little kids, please send your donation payable to GRVC/basketball, PO Box 15, Rosburg, WA. 98643. For more information, please call Gene. What a guy! Such an inspiration to our community and our kids. Thank you.

Bring the kids and join us for another G-rated, classic animated movie on Friday night at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. Our projectionist calls this the best musical from one of the most famous of studios because it features a Rudyard Kipling story and some great songs: “Trust in Me” sung by a snake (Don’t trust him), “I Wanna Be Like You (Ooh-Ooh),” sung by an orangutan (You don’t wanna be like him) and “Bare Necessities” a paean to Epicurean simplicity sung by a bear (trust him). We have probably all seen this film but it is worth seeing again, especially on our big screen with surround sound. The movie is free and concessions are available on the premises as well.

The Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park is gearing up for the annual Plant/Bake sale and Soup Luncheon on May 17. This is a fundraiser for your center, and the proceeds will be used for the operating expenses that have skyrocketed this year.

This year we will have lots of plants, house, fruit and vegetable. While you are shopping for just the right plant, be sure to check out the baked goods on sale as well. A triple treat of soups (including a vegan choice) is also available being served with artisan breads with a variety of home made spreads, beverage and dessert, for a donation. We can also use a few more gallon containers if you have a few extra. We can arrange for someone to pick up your donations by contacting me at 465-2960 or Steve Ramsay at 465-2731. You can also leave a message on the phone at the Center 465-2310.

The 30th Annual Great White Tail Run will also be held on May 17th and will be run on the Julia Butler Hansen National Refuge in Skamokawa. The course will include a 10K 5K and 2 mile run with recognition given for overall male and female winners in each event, and ribbons for the top three finishers in each age division.

Fliers are available on most bulletin boards around the county, and pre-register prior to May 2 if you want to be guaranteed a shirt. Mail in registration must be received by May 16. Registration fees are as follows: pre-run $10 without shirt and $20 with shirt, Run day $12 without shirt and $25 with shirt. Add $1 if you plan to bring your dog. For more information please call 465-2275 or 795-3278.

This event is a fund raiser for the Wahkiakum County based 4-H program and all proceeds will be used to benefit the county program.

The annual Spring Tea and Luncheon, sponsored by the Grays River United Methodist Church’s Friendship Circle which will be held on May 18th at the Rosburg Hall. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for a suggested donation of $8, and children under 12, $5. Though it is scheduled for the week after Mother’s Day, why not make it a date, for a delightful and fun afternoon together.

“As Time Goes By” is the 2014 theme and will include delicious treats and desserts, tea, a fashion show featuring stories and memorabilia, with lots of fun and prizes. The fashions being modeled will be on loan from the Appelo Archives Center and from the collections of local citizens.

Lots of items and memorabilia will be on display, for you to view, as well as the raffle prizes. Lunch will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m., followed by the “pick your own raffle prize” from the large selection. Tickets are only $1. There will also be a silent auction this year for a one night’s stay at the newly opened Dahlia House B&B worth $150, a quilted wall hanging, a quilted table runner, a wooden bench as well as tickets to “live theater” events and much more. For more information please call 465-2740 or 484-7749. Gluten free menu items will be available by reservation.

One more fun addition to the event---a hat contest. Wear your most ridiculous, most intriguing, or most beautiful hat and you could win a prize. This is one of the most fun events I have ever attended, and if you haven’t been there, please treat yourself to a wonderful time, good food and entertainment, while benefitting a dedicated group who do so much for out community.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets each week at the Rosburg Hall for a home cooked meal prepared and served by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew. Menus for the next two weeks include: May 7--turkey dinner with all the trimmings, hot rolls and dessert; May 14--chili, cheese and onions and dessert.

On Thursdays a senior meal is also served at the Rosburg Hall and is sponsored by CAP. Check out both of these venues, and enjoy a great meal and some socializing. Lunches are served at noon.

Happy Birthday to Kristi Ray, Aaron Varila, Glenn Miller, Jeanette Grimberg, Just Thomas, Barbara Combs, Jonathan Bates, Carl Smith, Lonnie Eaton, Koen Rogers, Dan Stephan, Lori Hamp, Gene Maddox Jr., Jarred Laney, Berniece Helton, Wesley Bjornsgard, Julie Hampson, Carol Haven, Kenzi Wirkkala, Marilee Wirkkala, and Debee Bauer.

An extra special Happy Birthday to Norm Bolton, who will celebrate his big day this week. Norm has been a fixture in this community for many years and has given so much of himself in an effort to make our little valley a better place. He volunteered with the Community Computer Center for many years, is very active in American Legion Deep River Post #111, Grays River Grange #124, and he even bought and reopened the Rosburg Store in the hope it would remain a stopping off point for locals and travelers. Here’s to you, Norm, and a bright and healthy future in you new independence, enjoy the day, your gardens and your family.

Unfortunately, after speaking with Norm, he tells me that the Rosburg Store will be closing. There will be a close out sale of merchandise and food items on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week. Everything will be on sale for buy-2-get-1-free.

I know the community appreciates all you have done, Norm, Joyce and Leslie, but sometimes life just doesn’t go the way we hope it will. I for one will miss the convenience of stopping in for items that I would otherwise have to drive some distance to get. Thank you for all your efforts, and now it’s time for you and Joyce to relax and enjoy life.