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

School’s out, but where is summer? Only a few teaser days so far, so that must mean it will be a warm late summer, right?

After our whirlwind weekend last weekend it was great to come home and just sit for a while. We attended a high school graduation in Redmond. Oregon on Friday night for our grandson and got up the next morning for the four hour drive to Ellensburg for the college graduation at 1:30 p.m. Lots of driving and lots of celebrating (not to mention, while in Oregon, we celebrated three birthdays as well). Time certainly does fly, when you’re having fun.

News from Naselle

Today is the last day of school for our kids, but there will be a game night tonight for students in grades 7-12 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the school. Cost is $3 to participate.

I had an e-mail from Becky Erickson, letting me know how proud she and her husband, Wayne are of their son, Alan who graduated last week from Naselle-Grays River Valley High School as Valedictorian and with many honors. He has also been selected to play in the East West Earl Barden All-Star Classic Football game on June 26 in Yakima. After a very successful career in football at Naselle High School, Alan and several other seniors from across the state have been chosen for this honor. He will get one more chance to play his linebacker postion during this 16th annual event. The game will be held in Yakima at the Zaepfel Stadium on June 26 at 1 p.m. Tickets are available if you would like to attend the game or even just to support Alan. You can call him at home, 465-2555 or on his cell at 360-751-3999.

This young man has many academic and sports accomplishments to his credit over his school career, and a nicer young gentleman you would be hard pressed to find. I first met Alan when he was in the 3rd grade, and the first thing he told me was “my Mom has a day-care center, the best one around here! You should take your kids there.” Congratulations to you, Alan, on your graduation from High School, all of your accomplishments and good luck in your future endeavors.

Naselle School has donated about 20 boxes of surplus books to the new Grays River Valley Library, located at Johnson Park (old Rosburg School). Without donations this free library would never have happened, so once again, I must say “Thank you” to everyone who has been so generous in their giving. We all benefit as a community.

Other news from the Westend:

It appears that the plan for a National Heritage Area in Pacific and Wahkiakum County has been put aside for now.

Remember sock hops? How about one with a new twist. The Finnish-American Folk Festival will host a pre-festival concert on June 22 at 7 p.m. at Johnson Park in Rosburg (old Rosburg School) featuring Pekka Pentikainen and Perttu Paappanen, two outstanding musicians from Finland.

The public is invited to attend this lively concert and to bring along a pair of socks and enjoy a little dancing to the music. Sounds like a great time.

Admission is free, but donations will gladly be accepted. For more information, contact Anita Raistakka.

Johnson Park is beginning to be utilized as the community center we all hoped it could become. There is activity there almost every day of the week and several evenings as well.

The card group meets on Mondays for a full afternoon of card playing and fun. Tuesdays and Thursdays the Community Computer Center is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with free DSL for everyone. Wednesday mornings, the local chapter of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets in the exercise room at 9 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday evenings Jack Braman leads a Yoga group at 5:30 p.m., and on Thursday evenings, the Johnson Park Art Group meets at 7 p.m.

In addition to these activities the Grays River Valley Library is open six days a week. Monday through Wednesday – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m .; Thursday and Friday- 11 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. We are adding more books, movies, audio books and music CDs every day, so come on in and check it out. Library cards are free.

This month’s featured author is none other than our own Robert Michael Pyle. Bob has donated an autographed copy of all of his books to our library. We certainly appreciate that, as well as his interest in our projects at Johnson Park.

Johnson Park is a great place to meet for an outdoor picnic with a group or just a family day. Let’s utilize this wonderful treasure, and keep moving forward.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at the Rosburg Hall will dine on spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and dessert on the 23rd. Enjoy some great food and good company on Wednesdays. Thanks to all the volunteers and Pat Potter.

Meals are also served on Tuesdays and Thursdays, sponsored by CAP, at the same location. Menus for the coming week include: Thursday, the 17th – Teriyaki beef sandwich, stir fry veggies, potato salad and sliced peaches; Tuesday, the 22nd – pork Chow Mein, Cantonese veggies, steamed rice, Mandarin oranges and strawberry shortcake; Thursday, the 24th – chicken spinach enchiladas, Spanish rice, Mexicali veggies, broccoli salad and raspberry bars.

Birthdays being celebrated this week include: Dick Burkhalter, Madison Didion and Becky Torppa on the 17th; Tim Calvert, Dennis York and Kenny Clifford on the 18th; Greg Wirkkala on the 19th; Byron Saari, John Dryer, Leon Gollersrud and Sheriann Wirkkala on the 20th; Peggy Dotson, Sabrina Wasmundt and Lorie Smith on the 21st; Charmie Sprague, Jennifer Johnson and Jennie Klinger on the 22nd; Andy Mattson and Matt Blaine on the 23rd. Happy Birthday everyone.

I would like to wish a very special belated Happy Birthday to a pretty young lady who lives in Grays River. I hope your special day was the best ever, Coral Ruch, and that your fourth birthday celebration, is just the beginning of another wonderful year, and many more.

Oh yes, another special Happy Birthday to a good friend, Blair Brady, who will celebrate his more than 29th birthday on Friday, the 18th. Enjoy!

Happy Anniversary wishes go out to quite a few couples this week: Doug and Shannon Tetz on the 17th; Matt and Trina Scrabeck and Ed and Sandy Boyle on the 18th; Tim and Martha Tienhaara, David and Rebecca Strong and Glen and Donna Stoddard on the 19th; Nathan and Hilery Erickson, Mike and Carrie Nortrup, Wilho and Kaisa Saari, Wallace and Maria Wirkkala and JJ and Deanna McCullough on the 21st; David and Joyce Rangila and Dan and Marilynn Smalley on the 22nd; Will and Carol Walters and Mr. and Mrs. Stacy Katyryniuk on the 23rd.

This weekend we will celebrate Father’s Day. I would like to wish an especially wonderful Father’s Day to my husband and also to my Uncle David Hammonds of Grays River. For all you dads, grandfathers, uncles, and any other guy who can relate to being a dad , I wish you all a very Happy Father’s Day. It takes a special guy to be a dad.