I have been told a few times to be careful what you wish for, but I have really been wishing and hoping for rain as my well was nearly dry. Well, I got my wish and now we are flooded in, but I have water in my well. We didn’t really expect 7+ inches overnight, but that’s what we got and I’m okay with not being able to drive out for a day or two.

News from Naselle:

Sports calendar for the coming week: Thursday (today), high school volleyball in Naselle with Pe Ell at 5:45 p.m .; Saturday, high school volleyball Adna Tourney at 9 a.m., high school football at Tacoma Baptist at 7 p.m .; Monday, middle school volleyball at Willapa Valley at 5:45 p.m., high school volleyball in Naselle with Wahkiakum at 5:45 p.m. Go Comets!

The Naselle-Grays River Valley School Board will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. These are public meetings and residents are encouraged to attend.

Is your child interested in learning the basics of basketball? Here’s their opportunity to learn from one of the best coaches around, Gene Quilhaugh. He will be coaching a Naselle Basketball Camp in Naselle for boys and girls in grades 2-4. Dates for the camp will be on Mondays, September 24 and October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. Cost is $50 paid by cash or check made out to Naselle Boys and Girls Basketball.

The camp will focus on shooting the basketball: correct stance, form and rhythm. Ball skills: dribbling, pivoting, passing and receiving. Defense: basic concepts, stance, stops and position. 3 on 3: basic rules and regulations of basketball taught in the timeless playground game.

These fortunate children will have one of the best qualified coaches on the west coast in Quilhaugh, for this fun and informative clinic. Forms can be picked up at the school and must be returned to Mrs. Leeland or Miss Nisbet no later than September 17. Parents are also welcome and are encouraged to attend the sessions.

Westend news:

Tuesdays are Farmer’s Market days at the Grays River Grange #124 in downtown Grays River. They always have delicious produce and baked goods available for very good prices and they are open from 2-6 p.m. Check them out.

Come join in an evening of music (folk, jazz and blues) at the Skamokawa Grange on Friday, 6-9 p.m. Hank and Lloyd from Cathlamet at 6 p.m., Bobcat Jazz from Longview at 7 p.m. and Natalie Bouloudis from London, UK at 8 p.m. with local drummer, Jeff Blackburn and fiddle player Ian Brandon. Admission is $5, and students are free. Sounds like a fun evening for the whole family.

Tickets are still available for the 11th Annual Covered Bridge Dinner which will take place on Saturday, October 6 at 4:30 p.m. inside the Grays River Covered Bridge.

While you enjoy a delicious meal, you will also be treated to violin music played by Jeffrey Reynolds. There will be a poetry reading and an auction of locally handcrafted items. The sales will be used to benefit Wahkiakum 4-H.

Regular admission tickets are on sale for $35.and Grand American--all veterans and seniors 72 and older--$25. A limited number of tickets will be sold and are available at the Bank of the Pacific in Cathlamet and Naselle or at the WSU Extension Office on River Street in Cathlamet.

For more information, please call 360 795-3278 or check the website: Wahkiakum.wsu.edu.

Next time you're out shopping, please keep the West End Food Pantry in mind. Every week they quietly yet diligently serve low-income families in our local area. Many of the clients are single parents, elderly, unemployed, handicapped or disabled, and many have children, some are grandparents raising grandchildren. They are our neighbors, friends, co-workers, even family. The pantry volunteers are striving to help those who simply don't have enough. To do this, they rely fully on food and cash donations to keep the shelves stocked. Here is a list of items they are once again in need of: cold cereal, fruit juice, top ramen, spaghetti and sauce, canned tuna, canned chili, pork and beans, refried beans, peanut butter and jelly, soups, eggs, and canned fruit.

You can become a regular cash contributor by sending monthly monetary contributions to PO Box 55, Rosburg, WA 98643. Your tax deductible receipt will be mailed to you. Food donations can be dropped off at the site.

The West End Food Pantry is located in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park (old Rosburg School) and is open on Thursdays 1-5 p.m.

Happy Birthday to the following: Sheila Kilponen, Regana Wirkkala, Aubrey Katyryniuk, Rachel Katyryniuk, Jen Blanchard, Jimmy Strange, Max Smith, Lawrence Kelly, Linda Elliott, Emma Bennett and Steve Tolva. Wishing each of you a perfect day.

Happy Anniversary to Jim and Darrylin Eastham and to Randy and Debbie Saari. Here’s to many more celebrations.