Planning commission acquires new member

I don’t know about you but I still have a few things to do before the big day on Friday, so this column will be shorter than usual. We are expecting two of our sons and their girlfriends on Tuesday afternoon, as well as their puppies. We will be celebrating our son Don’s birthday a little late (it was the 16th), with his choice of what he wants to eat, and what kind of birthday cake I fix. It never changes, since he was quite young, his dinner has been hamburger stroganoff and German chocolate cake for dessert. It’s nice to be able to cook a birthday meal for him again.

News from Naselle:

The Naselle Congregational United Church of Christ will hold a special Christmas Eve Service at 4 p.m. on Thursday (today). Bring the family and sing traditional carols, enjoy the message of Christmas. The church is located at 14 Parpala Road in Naselle.

Check out local businesses for last minute gifts. How about a gift certificate from Okie’s for your favorite neighbor, a massage for a friend from Timeless Amenities, or a haircut from the Hair Villa. Maybe even a dinner or lunch at one of the local restaurants.

Other news from the Westend:

Congratulations to the newest member of the Planning Commission from this end of the county. That would be Poul Toftemark of Rosburg. Volunteerism is an admirable trait in small communities such as ours. Thank you Poul.

I have decided to really put some extra effort into buying American made items. To that end I have found a couple of really good websites that I would like to share: http://www.usab2c.com and http://www.madeinusaforever.com/. I purchased several Christmas gifts from these two sites and the products were delivered faster than some I had ordered from regular retailers. The items were all of the highest quality and an American has a job. Think about it.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at Rosburg Hall will dine on a great after the holiday’s standby. They will enjoy meatloaf, spuds and gravy, green beans and dessert.

Tuesday and Thursday lunches at the same location, sponsored by CAP include: Tuesday, the 29th – chicken chow mein, brown rice, stir-fry veggies, apple carrot salad and fortune cookies. Thursday, the 31st – Swedish meatballs, egg noodles, winter mix vegetables, sliced oranges and peach crisp.

Birthdays being celebrated this holiday week include Tracy Bighill on the 24th; Keegan McGuire and Lauren Bjornsgard on Christmas Day, Carol Alves, Brittany Smith, Bert Haven, Joyce Magnuson, Karen Nelson and Garrick Bennett on the 26th; Kim Eaton, Abbie Taylor Rose, Evart Smith, Steve Smith and Toni Mullins on the 27th; Shannon Adair, Bryce Kilponen, Kim Helvey, Marvin Ammer and Tim Wilson on the 28th; Melvin Ross, Sarah Swanson, Ellie Chapman and Wendy Macy on the 29th; Stacy Lany, Richie Bennett and Nathan Reitz on the 30th. Happy Birthday to all of you.

Lots of anniversaries upcoming during this holiday week: Jack and Renee Smith on Christmas Day (at least they won’t forget their big day); Errin and Laurel Smalley, Dan and Carol Wilson, John and Carol Alves and Robbie and Marilyn Johnson on the 27th; Bruce and Leena Wirkkala on the 28th; Just and Sue Thomas, Brandon and Lori Rose on the 29th. Wishing all of you a wonderful anniversary celebration.

I want to wish all the readers a very Merry Christmas. I hope everyone enjoys this holiday with the love and enjoyment of good friends and family, as well as all the good food. We will be doing just that, as we’ll have half of our kids at home for a few days. There is nothing better than that, except maybe having all of them here.

Merry Christmas!