Westside Stories

This past week was both informative and educational, as I attended the Candidate Forum at the Grays River Grange and the Town Hall meeting at Johnson Park. Hearing directly from local candidates, not just their speeches and prepared statements, but also how they interacted with residents, offered a valuable perspective. Whether the questions were constructive or confrontational, it was refreshing to see candidates respond face to face.

Local elections often see low voter turnout, but these positions and issues greatly affect our daily lives. Taking the time to be an informed voter is important. A big thank you goes to Charlie Shumar and the Grays River Grange for organizing such a well-attended and engaging forum.

The Town Hall meeting regarding the creation of the Upper Grays River Community Forest was equally enlightening. County Commissioner Dan Cothren addressed attendees, providing a clear history of the project and clarifying rumors and assumptions. The initiative, which is a partnership between Pacific County and the Columbia Land Trust, aims to conserve timberlands in the Upper Grays River watershed, generate revenue for the county, and offer public access for recreation and enjoyment.

The meeting attracted a strong turnout, with local resident and author Bob Pyle sharing his distinctive perspective on the area's history, and several residents asking thoughtful, relevant questions. A board made up of representatives from each entity, along with citizen members from both counties, is now being formed to pursue grants for land acquisition and advance the project.

To round out the week, I ventured out of the Grays River Valley on Friday evening with my friend Diane Hollenbeck to see Carl Wirkkala (pictured) and the Whistle Punks at Puget Island Gardens. The night was just right for a fall concert, with great music, tasty food, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Dawn and Gene O'Neil have truly created a beautiful space filled with string lights, pumpkins, flowers, and festive decorations that made for an unforgettable evening.

Westside Happenings

The Finnish American Folk Festival will host Majority Finn on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 4 p.m. at Valley Bible Church in Rosburg. The family band draws on deep roots in Finland and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, blending century-old folk and dance-hall tunes with contemporary Finnish, European, and American influences, along with the occasional rock 'n' roll detour.

Parents Pasi and Meg are mostly self-taught musicians who have played with local bands for years. Pasi, who grew up in Finland into his mid-20s, co-founded the PasiCats, arguably "the third-best polka band in the U.P.," and now performs with the Backroom Boys, led by Master Musician Oren Tikkanen.

When their sons arrived in 2012 and 2014, the couple did what musician parents do best: left instruments everywhere and brought the boys onstage as soon as they could stand. Lessons followed, skills improved and, before long, the kids were surpassing their mom and dad.

Majority Finn reflects the family's way of celebrating that change with a full-family sound, tight arrangements, bilingual lyrics, and plenty of toe-tapping energy.

The band's goal is simple: preserve and share old tunes, introduce audiences to new Finnish music, and make it all fun and inviting. If you enjoy fiddles, accordion, lively polkas, and harmonious melodies, this show is for you.

October

25 – Holiday Bazaar at Rosburg Hall, 10am to 2pm. Chicken lunch at 11:30 am.

26 – FAFF Meeting, 4pm & FAFF Informa tional Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Appelo Archives Center.

November

2 – Majority Finn concert at Valley Bible Church 4pm.

8 – American Legion Veterans' Breakfast at Rosburg Hall, 8–11am.

8 – Naselle Lutheran Church Holiday Bazaar & Coffee Bar, 10am–2pm.

December

14 – FAFF Christmas Events: Tour of Homes, Deep River Church Concert, Soup Supper, Bingo, and Christmas Bazaar

21 – 4th Annual Naselle Lighted Christmas Parade, 4 pm.

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