Westside Stories

+We’re deep into fall now, and the rainy season has settled in for good. Recently, we were gifted a small orchard-in-the-making with two lemon trees, two kumquat trees, and an olive tree, and we’ve been scrambling to protect them before the first frost hits. Since they came from the comfort of a greenhouse, we needed to get them under cover.

Last weekend turned into a full-on construction project by our shop. Using pallets, PVC pipe, and a healthy dose of redneck ingenuity, we cobbled together a temporary winter shelter. The plan is to drape it in plastic and cross our fingers that it holds up until spring, when we can finally build something more permanent.

This week, Mark and I are in Denver celebrating our son Jesse’s huge milestone of earning his master’s degree in business administration. He powered through the program while holding down a full-time job, being a husband and a new dad, and coaching high school basketball. We’re proud of him, to say the least.

We decided to stay a few extra days to spend more time with our 18-month-old grandson, Joshua. Our schedule is filled with parks, the Denver Aquarium, the Butterfly Pavilion, playing with cars, and then going to another park. With all that going on, I don’t have a long column this week. But I do want to share a few local updates that came my way.

The West End Food Pantry will distribute Thanksgiving boxes on Nov. 20 from 1–5 p.m. If you see this in time and can lend a hand, they could use the help. Sign-ups for Christmas boxes are open now, with distribution on Saturday, Dec. 20. Volunteers are needed for both assembly and distribution. If you have questions, please call Diane Hollenbeck at 360-465-2344.

On Nov. 23, Grays River United Methodist Church will host a free turkey dinner. Their service starts at 10 a.m., and dinner is served immediately afterward at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome.

Looking ahead to December, the Grays River Grange will host an Art Show on Dec. 6 from 12 to 4 p.m., showcasing local artists Krsto and Susan Novoselic, Gail Wahlstrom, Carol Ervest, Noreen Fitts, and Sandra Prucha. For more details or questions, please get in touch with Carol Ervest at 360-465-2275.

I will provide more details about the Finnish American Folk Festival Christmas events in my column next week.

As always, I’m grateful for story ideas. If something is happening in your corner of the West End that you’d like me to write about, please reach out to me at lisa@waheagle.com.

Westside Happenings

November

23 – Turkey Dinner at Grays River United

Methodist Church, 11 a.m.

30 – FAFF Meeting at Appelo Archives, 4 p.m.

December

6 — Art Show at Grays River Grange, 12 – 4 p.m.

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 p.m. Register at nasellefinnfest.com.

For a list of regular monthly events, please refer to the Wahkiakum Calendar. To add an event to the calendar or share a story idea, please get in touch with me at lisa@waheagle.com.