Westside Stories

When Lyle Haataja sits down at his scroll saw, patience is just as important as precision. What began years ago as a curiosity, after a friend gave him a magazine full of scroll saw patterns, has grown into a craft that blends artistry, humor, and a touch of stubborn determination.

Initially, it was just a hobby, but Lyle enjoyed the challenge of guiding the fine blade through delicate patterns. Over time, as his skill improved, so did his reputation. He started selling his pieces at local bazaars, markets and, most recently, at the West Wahkiakum Farmers Market.

When I asked him what he enjoys making the most, he laughed and said, "What I think will sell." His bestsellers include outdoor scenes like elk, fish, and sports silhouettes for fans. He also carves human-interest designs, such as a father and daughter sitting on a porch or a simple cross that appeals to buyers looking for something meaningful.

Each piece starts with a paper pattern taped to the wood, turning each step into a test of focus. Despite years of experience, mistakes still happen. That's when a project gets reclassified as what he jokingly calls "designer firewood." The craft requires both precision and patience, qualities that Lyle has learned to balance over time. "Sometimes I have to walk away from it for a while, or I'll mess up again," he said.

He frequently uses oak veneer or thick cardstock layered over a black background, creating a sharp contrast in his pieces. The result is striking, almost like a shadow frozen in wood. Some of his most intricate work shows just how far his skills can go: the flowing beard and chainmail vest of a Viking warrior, or the delicate silhouette of a cat with each whisker carefully carved. He also makes Christmas ornaments and small decorative designs, making his market table a mix of the detailed and the simple.

Lyle grew up on his family's farm in Rosburg, a property that has remained in the Haataja family for generations. Farm life instilled in him a strong work ethic early on and also deeply rooted him to this community in a way that has never left him.

After graduating from high school, he planned to pursue his dream of becoming a biology teacher, but after spending a summer working in the woods, he shifted his focus to forestry. Then the selective service came calling. Rather than wait to be called up, Lyle chose a different route. "When the Army came calling, I didn't want to be in the Army," he explained. "So I think I probably confused them, because instead of joining the Army for two years, I enlisted in the Navy for four."

In the late 1960s, he served as a submariner. The tight spaces and long deployments were a world apart from Rosburg. "It was hot and stinky, being in close quarters with a group of 18 to 21-year-olds, but there was a lot of camaraderie with interesting people," he remembered. "When the most exciting place I'd ever been was Bellingham, seeing different parts of the world was exciting."

After his time at sea, Lyle returned home and, like many young men in southwest Washington, went to work in the woods. He spent years falling timber, often heading north to Alaska, where the wages were better and the jobs steady. The work was tough and dangerous. Eventually, after an injury, he left logging and took a job in security at the Naselle Youth Camp.

Even as his career shifted, Lyle never drifted far from the farm. When his parents' health declined, he moved back to the family farm in Rosburg to care for them until they passed away. He stayed on the farm afterward, raising cattle. At his busiest, he managed a herd of 40 head.

Then there's the radio. Since the mid-1990s, listeners have tuned in to "Lyle on the Dial" on Saturday afternoons from 2 to 3 p.m. on KMUN Astoria 91.9 FM. As one of the hosts of the Scandinavian Hour, he plays an eclectic mix of new and traditional music from Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland. For Lyle, the show is a way to celebrate his heritage and keep Scandinavian culture alive for the community.

Lyle has been married to his wife, Louanne, for 32 years. Together, they've built a blended family with five children from previous marriages, who have given them several grandchildren. Between the farm, the saw, and the radio station, there's never been much idle time in his life, but he consistently makes room for his family.

He has also dedicated many years of energy to community events. At the Finnish American Folk Festival, he's a familiar face, often acting as an emcee in the courtyard and assisting behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. His steady presence and easy humor have made him a valued volunteer.

Whether it's behind a saw blade or a microphone, Lyle has found ways to create and connect throughout his life. His scroll saw pieces reflect patience, humor, and skill, while his radio show and volunteer work showcase his deep ties to his heritage and community.

You can find his creations at the West Wahkiakum Farmers Market, open every Friday through the end of September, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Rosburg Hall.

Westside Happenings

September

12 – West Wahkiakum Farmers Market

at Rosburg Hall, 1 to 4 p.m.

28 – FAFF Meeting at Appelo Archives

Center, 4 p.m.

October

4 – 4-H Covered Bridge Dinner & Auction,

4:30 p.m.

11 – Bingo at Rosburg Hall, doors open at

5:30 p.m., games start at 6 p.m.

18 – Appelo Archive Center Harvest Auction

& Champagne Social

25 – Holiday Bazaar at Rosburg Hall with chicken lunch, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For

vendor information, please contact Frieda Footh at 360-465-2574.

For a list of regular monthly events, please refer to the Wahkiakum Calendar. To add an event to the calendar, please get in touch with me at writerlisayeager@outlook.com.