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

With only 24 days left until Christmas Eve, the speed of life tends to accelerate this time of year. As a result, one has to pick and choose which Christmas season events to attend. One set of events that is a “must see” and should be high on everyone’s list is the Naselle Finnish-American Folk Festival Christmas Concert, the Tour of Homes and the soup supper occurring on December 4.

Christmas Concert: The concert is the first of the three activities and is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. in the Deep River Pioneer Lutheran Church. Headlining the concert this year is the Laulaa (Finnish for “Sing”) Out Loud Children’s choir directed by Becky Underhill. The talented members of the Saari family will provide a musical performance on the kanteles. Soprano soloist, Lisa Bighill, is also scheduled to perform songs in both Finnish and English. Christmas music will be played by the Bell Choir. All in attendance will be invited to join in the singing of Christmas Carols under the direction of Cliff Weimer.

Tour of Homes: The Tour of Homes is scheduled to run from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets for the tour are $5 with the money going to support the 2018 Finnish-American Folk Festival. Advance tickets can be purchased at the Hair Villa in Naselle as well as FinnWare in Astoria. Tickets can also be purchased before or after the concert at the Pioneer Church and at any of the homes on the tour. This year, there are five homes on the tour. Three are Bed and Breakfast locations on Pillar Rock Road along the Columbia River. Two are located together in Naselle along State Route 4. There will be signs and balloons to mark each of the locations.

To reach the homes on Pillar Rock Road, travel east from Deep River on State Route 4 to the Rosburg Store and then turn right on Pillar Rock Road. In recognition of limited parking, carpooling is suggested for those who are able to do so.

A scenic drive of 9.8 miles from the Rosburg Store will bring you to the Bed and Breakfast and home of Brian and Linda Elliott at 1919 Pillar Rock Road. Known as the “Dahlia House,” it is a stunning restoration of an 1895 Victorian home situated just above and to the left of the road.

Just a few yards down the road is the home and Bed and Breakfast of Dale and Cheryl Dutcher. The Dutchers purchased and cleared this 16+ acre property in the mid-nineties and built this home themselves.

A further drive of just two-tenths of a mile will take you to the property of Fred and Kathy Cantrell at 2029 Pillar Rock Road. Next to the couple’s residence, they have built a small home that was completed in 2013. With its location on the river, it is a wonderful get-away for a couple or a small family.

After enjoying the home tour and scenery along Pillar Rock Road, the final two homes on the tour are right on the way to the soup supper at the Naselle Lutheran Church.

The homes of Gordon and Judy Lesslie and Judy’s mother, Charlene Bryant are located at 898 State Route 4 (one-quarter mile west of the Shell station).

Charlene Bryant more recently located to the area to be near her daughter and son-in-law. She has graciously offered to include her home, a new 400 square foot Park Model, for the tour. Her home is located on the Lesslie property.

Priscilla Circle’s Soup Supper: The final event of the day is the soup supper offered by the Priscilla Circle of the Naselle Lutheran Church. The supper will be available from 4 to 6 p.m. in the lower level of the Lutheran Church located at 308 Knappton Road in Naselle. Admission is by donation to the Priscilla Circle. The supper is not sponsored by the Finnish-American Folk Festival but is held in conjunction with the Concert and Tour of Homes.