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

Families, friends and members of the Grays River Grange gathered for their annual Christmas Party on Tuesday.

While revelers lined up for the potluck dinner and made their way to tables to eat and enjoy conversation, Tiffani Casper tried to keep up with her grandson, Thomas.

"We just joined," she said. "We were looking for "grass roots", something with history and we've found that here."

The Grays River Grange is in its 112 year, and how long they've been doing the Christmas Party is anyone's guess.

"I've been a member for 20 plus years," Sulema Zerr said. "They've been doing this dinner for at least that long."

Carol Ervest stood and read the story of the birth of Christ, and then a band formed in front to lead the crowd in carols.

Ray (Teed) Prestegard, who received a pin for his sixty years of Grange membership that evening, was enjoying the annual Christmas Party.

"My mother-in-law Peggy Martin, who was a wonderful person, Prestegard said, "paid my dues while I was in the service."

Prestegard was in the Air Force for 21 years. After 50 years, he's no longer required to pay dues, but he likes to give a little money each year for the upkeep and maintenance of the building.

"He's just here for the free food," teased his son, also named Ray Prestegard.

Two pins were given in memoriam. This year would have marked 25 years for Marilyn Gudmundsen and 80 years for Norman Anderson.

Robert "Bob" Michael Pyle read an interactive "Twas the 'Night Before Christmas" to the children, who were ready with questions and answers. One young girl informed him that there were two bugs in the lamp beside him.

"They want to hear the story too," Pyle said.

Santa made an appearance, thrilling the little ones, who tore their presents open and held their new loot up for all to see.

Diana Zimmerman

Robert Michael Pyle read "T'was the Night Before Christmas" to children of all ages.

"This is so much fun for the kids," Kelly Miller said.

It's fun for the adults too, who enjoyed the kids' antics and laughed their way through the 12 Days of Christmas. And they got to open their own presents.

Raffle tickets were purchased and winning numbers were called out throughout the program. There were many raffle items including a wine basket, a turkey, CDs and more.

The evening ended in candlelight and song and then a moment of silence, bringing focus to the Grange's reason for the season. Community and history. Grass roots.

The Grange cares for a cemetery and a couple parks in the Grays River area. This year, the Grange donated money to the new Westend food bank, the senior meal in Rosburg, 4-H and the Grays River Fire and Ambulance Foundation.