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

Spring is definitely in the air with the smell of cherry blossoms, fresh mown grass, and many of the wildflowers beginning to bloom. The dogs are shedding their winter coats, and if you brush them outside and leave the fur, the birds are in a mad rush to pick it up and carry it off. A few butterflies are even appearing, and the hummingbird feeder needs to be refilled frequently. Nature sure has a beautiful way of beginning new life in the spring.

News from Naselle

Sports calendar for the Naselle Comet teams: Thursday (today), track at North Beach at 3:30 p.m., fast pitch and baseball at Ilwaco at 4 p.m .; Friday, fast pitch and baseball with Quinault in Naselle at 3:30 p.m .; Saturday, track at Seaside at 11 a.m .; Monday, fastpitch and baseball with Ocosta in Naselle at 4 p.m .; Tuesday, track at home in Naselle at 3:30 p.m .; Wednesday, middle school track at South Bend at 3:30 p.m., baseball at Northwest Christian at 4 p.m. Go Comets!!

Bring the little ones (toddlers through third grade) to the Naselle High School football field on Saturday at 11 a.m. sharp for the annual ESA Alpha Theta Easter Egg Hunt. Visit with the Easter Bunny and find lots of prizes. Bring your own basket to gather your eggs. This event will take place rain or shine!

Celebrate 120 years with the Naselle Lutheran Church, 308 Old Knappton Rd., at the annual Salad Luncheon on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy an array of delicious salads for a suggested $7 donation. The traditional bake sale goods will be provided by the Lutheran bakers including Finnish pulla, prune tarts and delicious breads. Lots of varieties of tomato plants are provided by Alfred Simukka. Several quilts will be offered along with other craft items for sale by church members. This event supports the Church Mission Work and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans matches funds to $600.

Mark your calendar, make a commitment and join in on the blood drive which will be held at the Valley Bible Church on April 28th from 1 to 6 p.m. It only takes a few minutes of your time to help others, and if it were you in need, wouldn’t you appreciate the generosity of someone who is willing to donate? For more information or to make an appointment to donate please call Susan Burkhalter at 465-2264.

Seeds and plant starts are available now at the Deep River Camp Store on SR 4 West near Salme Hill. April through October store hours are10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more info please call 360 783-2638.

Westend news

Here’s a great story of generosity and of giving back to the community and our children: “Coach Q” (aka Gene Quilhough) has taken it upon himself to try and raise some money to replace the basketball backboards in the old Rosburg School’s gymnasium (now known as Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park) with adjustable height glass backboards. One of the reasons for his idea is the fact that some of his students are barely 3 feet tall, and they are also the future basketball stars of a Comet team of the future.

Won’t you bring your friends and family and join him for a free concert of folk songs and inspirational songs to kick off his fundraising campaign effort “Singing For Basketball Backboards” on Wednesday at the Valley Bible Church at 6:30 p.m. The church is located at 4723 SR 4 West in Rosburg. Donations will be accepted at the concert, or you can mail checks made out to GRVC/Basketball, PO Box 15, Rosburg, WA. 98643.

This man is making a huge impact on some of our youngest community members, through his coaching them in basketball. They can barely carry their gear bags but they can shoot the ball, and with his motto “Play hard, play together and have fun,” just think about the life skills they will be learning. Thank you, Coach Q!

One more shout out in appreciation of the generosity of others, and coincidentally benefitting the Grays River Valley Center. Last Saturday, I received a call from Susan Burkhalter saying that there were a dozen middle school kids (both boys and girls) up at the center washing down the gym walls, and deep cleaning in the cafeteria. It turns out that they were here with their youth Pastor, J.P. Mumley from the New Heights Church in Vancouver to do a service project in our rural area. The connection to coming here is the fact that J.P. is married to a local girl whose family attends the Valley Bible Church where the kids spent the night as sort of a campout. The group is one of four teams that do these types of service projects each year in April. I was too late getting there to meet them or get any pictures, but wanted the community to know there are some great kids out there, willing to do some hard work to help others, and we certainly do appreciate the fantastic job they did. If they choose to return next year, we will know in advance and be a little more prepared with a work list. Thank you so much kids, youth Pastor J.P. Mumley, New Heights Church and Valley Bible Church.

The annual Spring Tea sponsored by the Grays River United Methodist Church’s Friendship Circle will take place on May 18th. As the date gets closer, I will have more information to share.

The Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park will host their annual Plant/Bake sale and Soup Luncheon on May 17th. Mark your calendars. If you would like to donate plants or baked goods to the event please call Steve Ramsay at 465-2731 or me at 465-2960.

The 30th Annual Great White Tail Run will be held on May 17th. You can pick up a flier to preregister at most bulletin boards around the county, or to get more information please call 465-2275 or 795-3278.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets each week at the Rosburg Hall for a home cooked meal prepared and served by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew. Menus for the next two weeks include: the 23rd-the baked potato bar with all the additional trimmings and dessert; on the 30th-goulash with veggies, hot bread and dessert.

On Thursdays, senior lunches are also served at the Rosburg Hall and the meals are sponsored by CAP. Lunch is served at noon on both days.

Happy Birthday to the following: Gary Hamp, Sis Smith, Kyle Isaak, Adriana Bjornsgard, Sean Roberts, Phillip Penttila, Jon Chapman, Tatum Littau, Carson Cooper, Nathan Carlson, Bob Fauver, Blair Gray, Mickey Bates, Will Walter, Tony Wirkkala, Marin Tienhaara, Emily Ashe, Sandy Boyle, Lorri T. Bryant, Glenn Carlson and April Zimmerman. Wishing all of you the perfect day.

Virginia Wendelin, one of my very favorite people is celebrating another milestone birthday this week. I want to wish her the most perfect day, with the love of family and friends near her, lots of sunshine, good health from now on and much peace. You are a very special friend, Virginia, to me personally as well as my family. Happy Day and God bless you always.

Happy Anniversary to Josh and Kelly Weston. Here’s to many more celebrations together.

Wishing everyone a truly Happy Easter.