Back to school projects completed

Wow! Did you ever see so many old cars? It seems like they were never ending, driving down the highway for days. My husband and I decided on a bike ride last Saturday to check it out. The 25th Annual Rod Run was super. Something for everyone. There must have been more than a thousand cars on display, music from the 50’s and 60’s, Wolfman Jack, an appearance from Elvis, poodle skirts, good food and lots of car talk between the car owners and spectators. Great fun.

News from Naselle:

Sports events this coming week include: high school football on Friday, the 12th against Warrenton in Naselle at 7 p.m .; JV football on Monday, the 15th at Warrenton at 6 p.m. Cross Country today (11th ) for the Tenino Jamboree and on the 18th in Montesano for the Jamboree, meets begin at 4 p.m .; volleyball at Mossyrock today (11th) and Tuesday the 16th against Southbend in Naselle, games begin at 7 p.m. (JV games begin at 5:45 p.m.). Middle school sports: Football next Thursday, the 18th at Willapa Valley at 6 p.m .; Volleyball on Wednesday the 17th in Naselle against North Beach with games beginning at 5:45 p.m.

The Comet Booster Club has hooded Comet Football sweatshirts for sale. Contact Marilyn Strange in the District office for more information.

Some more notes from Naselle-Grays River Valley School District now that school is officially underway; there are 152 K-6 students enrolled, 158 7-12 students and 12 Naselle Home Connection students. Students, teachers, volunteers and parents are looking forward to another successful school year.

You may have noticed some projects that have been completed over summer break: The bus connection road is in place thanks to the volunteer efforts of local citizens. Thanks to Bobby Torppa for the use of his excavator in building the bus connection road, on the first day he owned it. Joel Fitts volunteered his time driving Bobby’s dump truck and Gilbert Haataia volunteered his time driving Tim Haataia’s dump truck as well. What was anticipated to be a costly project ended up very reasonable, just the price of diesel, materials and engineering permits.

The main roof facing the highway was replaced by upgrading to a 50 year Legacy shingle and was covered by insurance after last winter’s storm.

The teacher’s parking area has been resealed and re-striped as part of the annual blacktop maintenance.

You may also have noticed that the lights are no longer blinking all the time at the crosswalk in front of the school. There are now buttons on the posts for each side of the crosswalk. When a pedestrian needs to cross, they hit the button and the lights will begin to flash to warn motorists. This is a great safety upgrade and is a fine example of your tax dollars at work via WSDOT.

On another note, Grays Harbor College will be offering adult education classes at the school again this fall. Community members are welcome to attend and the times and contact information are listed below: CSI 001 Small Engine Care & Repair - instructor Jim Moten Starts September 23, 6-8 p.m. (no class on November 11). Ends December 2; CSI 035 Conversational Spanish – with instructor, Enrique Schott starts September 23, 6-8 p.m. (this class meets on Tuesday and Thursday nights), and ends on October 23. Classrooms yet to be announced.

For information about these courses call Teri Dodson at the Columbia Education Center at (360) 642-9433 or stop and visit the Columbia Education Center at 208 Advent Ave. SE, Ilwaco, WA. Office hours are 9-4.

Other news from the Westend:

A gentle and kind man will no longer be around to open the Post Office door for those coming or going at the same time he was, nor will he be there to stop and visit if you have a few extra minutes in the Post Office parking lot or at the Rosburg Store. Such a gracious gentleman was Ted Kandoll who passed away this past week, and my most sincere condolences go out to his family and friends. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched.

Mr. Kandoll was very involved with the Seal River Cemetery and one of his final tasks was that of having past meeting minutes translated from Finnish to English so that a legal cemetery board could be put in place. In order to make that transition, the Seal River Cemetery needs volunteers to serve on the Board as well as volunteers to help take care of the mowing,

It looks like more good news for our budding library at Johnson Park. Grays River resident, Colleen Haley was listening to the radio last week and found out that the Seaside Library was moving to a new location. She phoned me and I called the librarian there asking what they were going to do with the old shelving. She said it was up to the City Council members and if I wrote a letter to them requesting that they be donated to us, she thought it would work out. We haven’t heard back from them yet, but I understand that the issue is on their agenda for September 22, so I am planning to attend the meeting. Maybe, just maybe we will be lucky enough to have real library shelving within a couple of weeks.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at Rosburg Hall will enjoy baked chicken, spuds, veggies, hot rolls and dessert for their fare on the 17 th . Great food and good company, all served with a smile.

Tuesday and Thursday lunches are also served at Rosburg Hall sponsored by CAP.

Birthdays coming this week: Joanna Fauver, Bill Wuorinen and Darlene Ammer on the 11th; Paula Rogers, Shawn Gilbert, Clair Stephan, Cole Dorman, Stephanie Noll and Gerrad Lemon on the 12th; Sean Welsh and Sheila Kilponen on the 13th; Paul Costello, Mariah Corbin, Joe Helvey, Jeff Linquist, Jason Ammer, Eugene Saari, Regan Wirkkala and Rachel Katyryniuk on the 14th; Katriina Ervest, Jennifer Blanchard and my Grays River neighbor, Marie Fauver on the 15th; Tim Tienhaara, Amy Kittinger and Jimmy Strange on the 16th; Betty Blain on the 17th. Wishing each of you a very special day.

Anniversaries being celebrated this week include: Dennis and Kerry York on the 11th; Mike and Gail Queener and Eugene and Linda Strong on the 12th; Jim and Josie Eastham, Jim and Darrylin Eastham and Phillip and Anita Raistakka on the 15th; Jeff and Brandi Tarabochia on the 16th; Dan and Clair Stephan, Don and Sheryl Pearson, Randy and Debbie Saari and Doug and Marilyn Nikolas on the 17th. Happy Anniversary to all of you.

Make sure you know who you are talking to when you answer your phone. There are some folks out there, who can and will, take advantage of us through scams. Even though our own Wahkiakum West Telephone Company is very diligent in handling these problems, don’t ever give out personal information unless you know who you are talking to – even then, be careful.

Today, we remember those Americans who were struck down by terrorists on September 11. In their memory we need to thank and pray for the safety of our American soldiers who have put themselves in harm’s way to protect us and our liberties. God Bless each and every one of you, and Thank You for all the sacrifices you make to protect us.