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

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was wonderful to get away for a few days, see family, eat too much and get some wonderful news as well. We kind of slip-slided our way to Redmond, Ore. for the holiday as the roads were pretty icy, but made it all in one piece.

Our oldest granddaughter, Marlee, became engaged on Friday, and shared the news with us after her boyfriend, Scotty, proposed to her while they were hiking on Smith Rock, just outside of Redmond. They haven’t set a date yet but plan to be married in the summer.

It looks like the predicted winds missed us for the most part at the beginning of this week, which doesn’t hurt my feelings any. Lots of rain though, creek rising and Grays River as well.

News from Naselle:

Naselle-Grays River Valley students will be released early on Wednesday, the 8th and Thursday, the 9th at 12:30 p.m. for conferences.

Sports coming up this week include: Today (Thursday) - girls basketball at home with Wahkiakum at 5:45 p.m .; Friday, the 3rd- boys basketball at Wahkiakum at 4:30 p.m. Monday-girls and boys basketball at Ilwaco at 5:45 p.m., middle school girls basketball at Willapa Valley at 5:45 p.m .; Wednesday-middle school girls basketball with Raymond in Naselle at 5:45 p.m.

The Martha’s Circle annual Holiday Bazaar and Luncheon will be held on Saturday from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Congregational United Church of Christ located at 14 Parpala Road in Naselle.

Check out the many handcrafted items for sale and presented by several local vendors. Items available include baked goods, rugs and many handcrafts. In addition to this event being a chance to do some Christmas shopping, Martha’s Circle will be serving a lunch menu consisting of soup, a beverage and dessert for a suggested donation of $6.

The annual Finn Am Christmas Concert and Tour of Homes will be held this Sunday.

A free concert, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. will once again be held at the Historic Deep River Lutheran Church. Donations will gladly be accepted.

The Home Tour, from 2p.m. to 5 p.m. includes the new home of Lamar and Becca Wirkkala, built on his grandparent’s property, on Knappton Road. Also, just off Knappton (at Ullakko Rd), the recently remodeled home of Travis and Jennifer (Ullakko) Boggs, whose son Garrett, is the fourth generation to reside there. Two homes will be featured on Bighill Rd., including the lovely home of Gary and Joanne Corcoran, at 206 Bighill Road. Just beyond them the new home of Lawrence and Jeanne Larson, built on his family's property with dozens of handcrafted features, a must see, at 228 Bighill Road. An extra special feature of the day will be an open house at the recently expanded Appelo Archives, located at 1056 SR4.

Each location will be marked with signs and balloons. Maps and tickets, at $5 each will be available at Finn Ware in Astoria; Radio Shack in Long Beach; the Appelo Archives Center in Naselle; at the Deep River Church afternoon Concert, or at any of the featured homes.

The Priscilla Circle of the Lutheran Church will be serving a variety of delicious soups, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Naselle Lutheran Church located at 308 Knappton Road. Donations from the soup supper will benefit the Deep River Church.

For additional information, call Darlene, 360-484 -3337 or 503-440-6515 or e-mail darlenebj@wwest.net.

Other news from the Westend:

The Grays River Habitat Enhancement District will hold its regular monthly meeting on December 8 at 6 p.m. in the Grays River Grange Hall. Meetings are open to the public and refreshments are always served. Please join the commissioners and local residents to find out what is happening on your river.

There will be another huge sale in the cafeteria at Johnson Park this Friday and Saturday. Follow the signs, and find some really good bargains.

Another new grandchild for my Aunt Claudine and Uncle David Hammonds will be born in the spring. My cousin, Melinda, from Portland is expecting a baby girl, and she will be welcomed by her two big brothers, Ashley and Marcus. Congratulations to the whole family.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at the Rosburg Hall will enjoy a warm winter meal of macaroni and cheese, salad, veggies, hot rolls and dessert on December 8. Sounds like comfort food to me and great company to boot.

Senior lunches are also served at the Rosburg Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays and are sponsored by CAP.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to the following celebrants this week: Lori Rose, Jack Strange, Brian Stube, Lois Bighill, Wesley Oatfield, Kellyn Pakanen, Karen Bertroch, Tim Lewis, Mike Swanson Lisa Bighill, Robert Footh, Nancy McGuire, Jeremy Ray, Todd Blanchard, John Footh, David Magnuson, Glen Goddard and Kim Cooper.

A very special happy belated birthday to our good friend, Poul Toftemark of Rosburg. I hope you were able to enjoy your granddaughter’s concert in Washougal on your special day.

Anniversaries being celebrated this coming week: Tom and April Zimmerman, Pete and Phyllis Carlson, Lee and Cynthia Clark, Max and Mary Smith, Bob and Cheryl Caetano, Mickey and Ann Hurst. Wishing you many more.