After the nice few days, the weekend turned into another wet one. Our son, Carl and his girlfriend Dion were here for the weekend from Seattle as well as other son, Shane. They had hoped to get some dry hiking in but that didn’t pan out, so they took the dogs for a damp one. It’s always so good to have kids home, and especially when they can do a few things around the place. Mom even got an oil change on the car. Thanks boys. And it was wonderful to see Dion again, such a delightful young lady. Good weekend, even if it did rain.

News from Naselle:

Sports calendar for the Naselle Comet teams this week: Thursday, the 8th-middle school track at Raymond at 3:30 p.m .; Monday, the 12th-middle school sub-league at South Bend at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, the 14th-track sub-district in Naselle at 3:30 p.m .; Thursday, the 15th-middle school league at North Beach at 4:00 p.m. Go Comets!

The Naselle-Grays River Valley Elementary School has received the Washington Achievement Award from OSPI. Another great honor bestowed on our wonderful school, thanks to the hard work of our teachers, administrators and hard working students. Congratulations.

The Comet Booster Club will meet on Tuesday, the 13th at 5:30 p.m. for their regular monthly meeting.

Do you have a child getting ready to enter kindergarten? Kindergarten Roundup for the coming school year will take place on Tuesday, May 13th. Please call the school for more information.

There’s still a lot to do, but it will be here before we know it. This year’s Finnish American Folk Festival is gearing up for a big weekend on July 25, 26, and 27 in Naselle. “Nasel Heritage Days” will include exhibits, lectures, music, dance and delicious food. Mark your calendars.

Seeds and plant starts are available now at the Deep River Camp Store on SR 4 West near Salme Hill. Store hours are10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more info please call 360 783-2638.

Other news from the west end:

For those of you looking for an evening out, why not join us at the Grays River Valley Center for a free Friday night movie? This week’s show is a 2013 release, sci-fi fantasy action movie. The synopsis from our expert projectionist: “We have a science fiction adventure based on a much loved novel that won both the Nebula and Hugo awards. The tale involves the use of games to train future fighters in an interstellar war against an insectoid race that had previously attacked Earth. The movie moves briskly, yet manages to capture the spirit of the book. The special effects are expert, but the main story, here, isn’t the explosions, it’s the characters.” Rated PG-13

Concessions are available with popcorn (and a free refill), candy and pop for reasonable prices. The movie is free, played on our big screen with surround sound.

The Grays River Habitat Enhancement District will hold in regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, the 14th at 5:15 p.m. in the activity room of the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. This group is looking out for you and your river. Please join them with your questions and comments. Many thanks to the three commissioners for all your efforts and oversight.

The annual Plant/Bake sale and Soup Luncheon fundraiser for the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park will take place on Saturday, May 17th. Reasonably priced plants and baked goods will be available for your purchase. A trio of delicious soups (including a vegan choice) is also being served with artisan breads and home made spreads, crackers, beverage and dessert, for a donation to the center.

A special thank you to Linda Hartung for delivering about 50 empty pots to the center over the weekend. If you wish to donate plants or baked goods, 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.

We look forward to seeing you at this event, and appreciate your support for the continuing growth of the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used for operating expenses and future projects for your center.

If you would like to become a volunteer at the center, we could use your help in the library and computer center, or doing grounds cleanup, and if you have a special skill that you would like to share with others, contact us and set up a class or sharing session. We have several rooms available for rent including the cafeteria and kitchen for large events, and the activity room for smaller venues.

Our commercial kitchen is also available for rent, if you need more space for canning, baking, catering, or just to do some heavy duty cooking. How about sharing your cooking skills with others by teaching a class?

The exercise room is a great place to come for that extra exercise most of us need. It’s convenient, quiet and available 24/7 if you are a sponsor of the center, with some top notch equipment and also a full size pool table for a cool down game after the exercise. Check it out.

Aerobics classes meet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the gym. For more info contact Jeannie Braman at 465-2544.

TOPS (take off pounds sensibly) meets in the activity room on Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. Meet with a like minded group of folks-learn and lose.

For information on activities that are already scheduled, or for available reservation dates please call Judy Durrah, events, at 465-2331.

The 30th Annual Great White Tail Run is slated for Saturday, 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.

Registration fees are as follows: pre-run $10 without shirt and $20 with shirt, Run day $12 with shirt and $25 with out shirt. Add $1 if you plan to bring your dog. For more information please call 465-2275 or 795-3278.

Official dog rules for the run: Socialized dogs only and the animal should be at least 6 months old with current vaccinations. Dogs must be on a leash at all times and stay on designated course. Female dogs in season are not permitted.

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.

“As Time Goes By” is the 2014 theme for the annual Spring Tea and Luncheon, sponsored by the Grays River United Methodist Church’s Friendship Circle. It will be held on Sunday, May 18th at the Rosburg Hall. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for a suggested donation of $8.00, and children under 12, $5.00.

The event will include delicious treats and desserts, tea, a fashion show featuring articles on loan from the Appelo Archives Center and from the collections of local citizens. An example of two of the beautiful and memorable outfits can be seen in a photo accompanying this article.

Lunch will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m., followed by the “pick your own raffle prize” from the large selection. Tickets are only $1.00 each. There will also be a silent auction this year for a one night’s stay at the newly opened Dahlia House B&B worth $150.00, 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.

Wear your most ridiculous, most intriguing, or most beautiful hat and you could win a prize. You are welcome to dress up or come casual, just bring your friendly smile and be prepared for a deliciously fun afternoon with wonderful people. Many thanks to the Friendship Circle for another year of enjoyable food and fun.

Here’s a heads up for the annual American Legion Breakfast to be held at the Legion Hall in Deep River on Saturday, the 24th. More details next week.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets at the Rosburg Hall each week for a home cooked meal prepared and served by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew. Menus for the next two weeks include: May 14th-chili with cheese and onions and dessert; May 21st is the monthly pot luck, so bring a dish to share. Lunch is served at noon.

On Thursdays, a senior meal is also served at the above location and is sponsored by CAP. These two opportunities for community members is a blessing, as it provides nutritious meals and socialization for many who wouldn’t otherwise get out as often. Many thanks to both venues.

Happy Birthday to the following: Renae Colombo, Jon Wirkkala, Angie Calvert, Allyn Bauer, Parker Kilponen, Nicole Laney, Arne Wirkkala, Carol Harley, Holly Rogers, Ike Howerton, Sonja Kruse, Jessica Gregory (cupcake-maker extraordinaire), Brandon Haataia, Raymond Badger, Missy Harley, Tina Laney, Brad Warra, Isabella Colombo, Paul Bjornsgard, Nikki Engelson and Gloria Tienhaara. Wishing all of you a perfect day of celebration.

Happy Anniversary to Randy and Vicki Wirkkala, Bert and Carol Haven, Robert and May Adair and Jody and Shellie Badger. And many more.

Dale and Barbara Rose were married 60 years ago last week and Dale posted the neatest story on Face Book of how they eloped and couldn’t find a preacher in Winlock so they returned to Kelso and found a justice of the peace to marry them on short notice. This wonderful couple are pillars of our community, so giving of their time and energy, and an inspiration to all who know them. Though times have sometimes been tough, Dale says, “The key word to our 60 year marriage is WE. And I’d do it all over again without changing a thing.” Congratulations, and thanks for sharing.

I’m sure most of you already know that the Rosburg Store has closed and is on the market for sale. I had the opportunity to speak with Norm and Leslie, and they would like to convey their thanks to the entire community for all their support over the past few years. Norm and Joyce will be doing some much needed relaxing and Leslie will be moving on with her life as well.

My heartfelt thanks to this family for giving this endeavor a good try, unfortunately it is a lot of work, time, money and sometimes even with all that, things don’t work out. But again, thank you for being there as long as you were and for all your efforts. The Rosburg Store will be missed. Best of luck, and we look forward to seeing you more relaxed and carefree.