Happy New Year everyone, and a huge shout out to the road crews, EMS and firefighters, law enforcement and especially our mail carriers for their diligence during this past week of rain, freezing and flooding. We are fortunate to have so many dedicated folks in their respective fields who spend hours in this unpredictable weather away from their families to keep us safe. Thank you.

News from Naselle:

Sports calendar for the Naselle Comet teams this coming week: Thursday, high school boys and girls basketball in Naselle with Columbia Adventist at 5:30 p.m .; Saturday, high school boys basketball in Naselle with Winlock at 4 p.m .; Monday, boys C Team in Naselle with Ocosta at 7 p.m .; Tuesday, high school boys basketball at Firm Foundation at 5:30 p.m .; Wednesday, Go Comets!

Westend news:

The Blood Drive is happening today (Thursday) from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at the Valley Bible Church in Rosburg. Walk-ins are always welcome. Sliders provided by April Zimmerman are an added incentive, and they are delicious.

Appointments can be made through the Red Cross website or by calling Monte at 360 465-2348. I’m sure Susan Burkhalter would also be able to give you info on the next drive.

Get your tickets now for the annual Crab and Oyster Feed sponsored by the American Legion Deep River Post #111, which will be held on Saturday, January 27. Only 200 tickets are available and the cost is $28 per person. Tickets can be purchased from Ken Elliott 465-2274, Nick Nikkila 465-2595 or Dale Rose 465-2234.

The menu includes crab, oysters, baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw and garlic bread. Following the dinner will be the raffle drawings including a nice gun, then live music and dancing with the King Brothers.

Proceeds from the event will support our veterans, youth and local charities.

Just a reminder to those wishing to donate to a worthwhile cause, and one that unfortunately many of us have reason to be thankful for, the Grays River Fire and Ambulance Foundation. They are a 501(c)3, so all donations are tax deductible and all monies collected are used locally. If you wish to donate, note that the foundation is a completely separate entity from the fire district.

If you would like more information or would like to make a donation you can contact one of the board members: Jon Gudmundsen, Amber Davis, Ed Hunt, Freida Footh or Kim DeJesus. Tax deductible donations can be made directly to any branch of the Bank of the Pacific or mailed to Grays River Fire and Ambulance Foundation, PO Box 5, Grays River, WA. 98621.

Happy Birthday to Logan Sandell, Michelle Condon, Lydia Forbes, Vickie Wirkkala, Linda Strong, Paul W. Bjornsgard, and Alder Hendrickson. Wishing each of you a perfectly wonderful day.

Happy Anniversary to Evart and Dorothy Smith.

My sister, Diane and I had an absolutely wonderful New Year’s Eve, after receiving an invitation to the waffle supper at the Valley Bible Church. Delicious food and wonderful folks to visit with as we closed out the old year.

I’m sure I have mentioned a great local music group in my column several times as their music is some of my favorite to listen to. Wahkiakum Vibes (Jerry Ledtke and Becky his wife along with several others) usually has a get together at least once a month at the Skamokawa Grange. They call it Open Mic and Jam Session where they invite one and all, listeners, singers and musicians alike to join them for a fun evening of good old home town entertainment, refreshments and friendship.

I am hoping to attend an upcoming event, as I have been unavailable for all of them so far. I love the real life, down home music that they produce, and would like to invite everyone to come to one of the sessions as well. Will be updating with a new date as soon as I get one confirmed.