Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
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Recently, it was announced that the Naselle Youth Camp will be closed as of June 30, 2023, with State of Washington considering a proposal to convert the camp property and facilities to an outdoor education center. After calling two locations in Olympia Tuesday morning, it is most accurate to say any decisions regarding closing the camp appear to be in limbo because the House of Representatives pulled it out of their budget. Also, it appears the proposal has been dropped from the Senate’s budget. However, negotiations will start soon with m...
Photo of the Week: Bob Burkhalter is seen with a banner when he won his Scholastic Sportsmanship Award. Look at that smile. It's been one of the best smiles in Grays River for many years. Bob is well known to older folks who attended the Rosburg Grade School where he taught for many years. A loving man and a good neighbor, Bob will be deeply missed. A good teacher and committed farmer, he has always been a wonderful role model for kids. Here is the announcement from his family: "It's with heavy...
Aunt Hattie: My sweet 96-year old aunt who lives in Arizona called last weekend. I gave her The Wahkiakum County Eagle as a gift. She told me she loves to read about "the old people" who lived here over 100 years ago. She knew me as a baby and young girl. She is a jewel who lives alone, cleans her house herself and loves Hallmark movies. I love hearing her feedback and her stories as much as I love the stories our folks here tell of their early years here. Don't forget to ask for a story when...
Naselle/Grays River Valley School District board of directors met February 15 via Zoom. The meeting was held remotely this time due to the covid case rate and recent spike in cases. The platform, Zoom, shows the meeting and attendees, if they have a camera for their computer. If not, they can hear the meeting clearly on their computer or telephone or see attendees and board members on their computer screen. It was easy to connect to the meeting by following directions at the bottom of the board agenda available on the district’s website. The m...
Protestors spent two days last week outside the Naselle School objecting to mask requirements at the school. The first day, Tuesday, Feb. 8, was a state wide day for protesting. It started with the protestors setting themselves up inside the courtyard parking area where children are dropped off for school behind the building. With the protestors making noise, shaking their signs and standing outside the windows and looking into the classrooms, the disturbance was palpable for both teachers and...
What a Week: It has been a busy time over the past few days. But the weather made it not only acceptable for February but stupendous. Lovely warm sunshine that encourages the ground to warm up as well as the plants in the ground. I hope you all enjoyed the sunshine. Take a Break: Last Friday, I spent the day interviewing six individuals I invited as part of a new program called "Take a Break with Karen." Ken Johnson, CEO at Wahkiakum West, asked me to invite folks for the interviews. I invited...
In November of last year, county Commissioner Dan Cothren invited various agencies and local groups to send representatives to begin discussing working together to bring more projects to their attention and to have any information available on cost estimates. The invitation brought approximately 15 people to that meeting. The second meeting was held on February 9 at the courthouse. Commissioner Cothren again sponsored the meeting with both state agencies and county groups to discuss planned projects that need to be funded and sponsored within t...
Come mothers and fathers Throughout the land And don't criticize What you can't understand Your sons and your daughters Are beyond your command Your old road is rapidly agin' Please get out of the new one If you can't lend your hand For the times they are a-changin' - Bob Dylan, 80 years old Change: In talking with a few neighbors over the past weeks, there is a common theme, change. For those who have been here for a lifetime and for those who have lived here for 20 years, like me, it can be a...
Apology: I need to correct a misunderstanding on my part about the Alpha Theta hanging baskets project. The baskets will be delivered at the high school the week of Finn Fest, not before. If you leave yours to hang at Finn Fest, you can pick them up after the festival ends so you will have them for the rest of summer and fall. I mistakenly thought we'd get them earlier. It's a great idea to share them at Finn Fest when they are in their earlier days. Contact Loretta Smalley at (360) 520-2071 to...
First, I must apologize to Ed and Steve Blain because in last week's Grays River Diking District report, I mistakenly said Steve Blain instead of Ed Blain. I bet both Steve and Ed are wondering what's wrong with this woman? Truthfully the list is long but I assure you I now realize there are at least two Blain families in the area, but one spelling of their last name. Many thanks to Marlea Blain for correcting me with humor and forgiveness. Wilho Saari: Now, to the sad reality of the death of...
At the beginning of the Naselle/Grays River Valley School District board of director's meeting on Jan. 18, Superintendent Lisa Nelson presented plaques to the volleyball coaches, Bekah Wirkkala, Hanna Higginbotham and Kayti Updike for their fifth place finish at the state tournament in Yakima. At the December board meeting, the main topic during public comment concerned questions regarding students’ safety when riding school buses. All board members were present including Tyson Vogeler, who was present by phone. During the public comment time o...
At the last Grays River Diking and Enhancement District’s meeting on January 12, the board of commissioners had a quorum with two members present: Poul Toftemark and Steve Blaine. The third member, Brian Livingston, is not available for meetings because he teaches evening classes and does not have the time to serve on the board. Also present at the meeting were county Commissioner Gene Strong, a landowner in the district. Others attending were Susan Amala, a landowner, Laura Brown from the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and Ian S...
Today I hope you will pause and think of Wilho Saari from Naselle. He has had a stroke and is now under hospice care at Columbia Memorial Hospital. He is a man who loves his family, Finnish music, children and Finland. He taught music, has written a "tune every day," for many years, has CD's of kantele music, and shared his gift for the kantele with anyone who wanted to listen. I have great memories of him playing the kantele at the Deep River Church. Lord, hear our prayers. Photo of the Week:...
We deal with flooding Stream Sense "Water, water, everywhere, and not a drop to drink," is from the Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem, "Rime of the Ancient Mariner." The recent flooding brought to mind images of the sea rather than rivers. It gave us a moment to realize that indeed, Wahkiakum was, for a short moment, all one area with more water than we might have imagined ever. Every waterway and ditch, even dikes overflowed bringing water into places it's not been before, if ever, and all at the...
Snow seems to be the word for the New Year! Nine days of snow is overboard a bit. It sure was fun for kids out of school and many off work at home with kids and grandkids. There's another slide on SR 4 east of Cathlamet so some folks will be getting more and more frustrated, first stuck at home from snow and then a landslide from heavy rain. Denise Blanchard is at Columbia Memorial; Denise, we're all pulling for you. My weather forecast calls for more rain so it seems we all need to hunker down...
Naselle/Grays River Valley School District’s Mission Statement says: “Our mission is to create a caring educational environment where relevant life-long learning is promoted, citizenship is honored, and each student is inspired to excel.” In the district’s October, 2021, newsletter, emphasis was based on character and culture. While everyone in the school district received the newsletter, others in Wahkiakum County did not. It is being shared here in order to inform everyone (both east and west) that the district is aware of the need to emph...
On Nov. 4, the US Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology were notified of localized oiled vegetation on the Deep River. After an initial investigation, it was determined that the oil originated from an abandoned barge measuring 15 by 40 feet, tied up to the shoreline near private property. It is not clear when the barge was abandoned, and the owner of the barge has not been identified. The barge contained 1,600 gallons of heavy black oil. A unified command composed of Coast Guard and...
Jean Kandoll Johnson: For my classmates and school friends who knew Jean Kandoll Johnson. Jean Helen (Kandoll) Johnson died in Astoria on December 13, 2021. She was born February 13, 1944 in Berkeley, CA, to Wiljo and Helen Kandoll. She graduated Valedictorian from Naselle High in 1962. Darlene Bjornsgaard has the full obituary, so contact her for the full document at (360) 484-3337. Herb Matta: While looking through my computer where I have many of the interviews Carlton Appelo did with some...
Photos and story by Karen Bertroch Okie's Market in Naselle recently replaced their old refrigeration and freezer cases with large, new ones. The old cases were often out of order and the ice cream was certainly not hard. The new produce area is twice as large as the old one and the new cases have many shelves with plenty of room for organic fruit and vegetables. Another advantage is the increased lighting inside the cases. The ice cream area is much larger with many more flavors and brands to...
On Dec. 21, the Naselle Grays River Valley School District Board of Directors meeting began at exactly 6:30 p.m. with a pledge of allegiance. Three community members and one Eagle correspondent attended. All the board members were present along with two staff members. The consent agenda was adopted quickly, then came time for public comment. However, no one spoke. The next item was board reorganization with the current board being recognized as officers: Chuck Hendrickson as president, Amy Hunter as vice-chair. Hunt suggested someone else be...
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! So say we all as the blessed day comes. My prayer is for all travelers and loved ones to arrive safely with their families and have a loving, gentle day of giving and receiving. All the lights are up, I hope, and presents under the tree for the cat to play with. Animals are family, too. I hear snow might be coming. Soon we can settle and just be with friends and family to enjoy the day. December is full of activities as we prepare for the Big Day;...
In November, the Washington Department of Ecology received a report that an old barge was leaking oil into Deep River, and agencies came together to respond. Last week the derelict barge was moved to the Oneida Boat Ramp. The move required a large crane that lifted the barge up enough to get it onto the shore at the boat launch site. A truck has been there for several days pumping oil/gas out of the barge. All the oil/gas waste will be moved to a recycling process location and the metal from...
We have nine days till Christmas. We can either use it for more shopping or we can recognize that the days we have left give us time to pause in gratitude for all this Holy Day means. Advent is a time to open our hearts to the mystery of God the Creator, God in Flesh and God the Comforter. May you all be blessed by the coming days with the message of light in the darkness. And may the coming of the shortest day of the year (winter equinox) remind us that light has indeed come with the increased...
Photo of the Week: The metalcraft piece “Sasquatch” was made by Glenn Miller as a gift to his father, Bobby Miller. Glenn’s art pieces are for sale at Englund Marine in Astoria where whales, fish and flags are popular pieces. You can reach Glenn in Naselle at (360) 484-7701. I will have more information for you in next week’s paper since I will visit with him and his wife, Shirley, on Saturday afternoon. At 76 years old, I have trouble remembering words. Both my bosses, Rick Nelson and Bob Tor...
What a good holiday! Thanksgiving is an ideal time to stop and think about all we have to be grateful for. This week I’m thinking about the school and all the organizations that bring hope and help all to our “downriver” communities.” I am very grateful for the folks who send me news about what’s happening, and Lisa Nelson who sends updates from the Naselle/GRV schools. And I’d like to remind you that the Naselle Youth Camp is also busy educating young men who need stability in their lives...
