Future of Johnson Park a little clearer

This sure has been an odd winter so far. Definitely nicer than the past few years. My daffodils are already coming up and showing buds. The frogs are in full chorus every night and it seems earlier this year.

News from Naselle:

Sports for the rest of this week at Naselle-Grays River Valley High School: Congratulations on some fantastic basketball. By the time we go to press we will know who is the number one team in our league--Naselle or South Bend--as the tiebreaker will have been played on Tuesday.

Thursday (today): high school girl’s basketball at South Bend, JV starts at 5:45 p.m., varsity to follow; Friday:high school boys basketball at Raymond, JV starts at 5:45 p.m., varsity to follow, Saturday: high school girl’s basketball vs. Raymond, JV starts at 5:45 p.m., varsity to follow.

Another sports report from a loyal Comets fan came in to me via e-mail regarding last week’s games. Poul Toftemark says this about our teams: “Last night, January 30, I was again privileged to attend four wonderful basketball games in Naselle, against the stout North West Christian High School. The JV girls made a valiant effort and almost overcame a great deficit, but even with a great effort came up a little short. The JV boys defended their turf and won a super game. The Varsity girls also played a great game overcoming their deficit with an exciting close win.

"In between games I enjoyed the tremendous feed put on by the freshman class. The fare included chicken adobo, lumpia, rice and beverages. With a Filipino wife this is wonderful oriental food.

"The varsity boys came dressed to take care of business, (suits or sports jacket w/ slacks), and they did so in a decisive fashion, and are now in a tie for first place with South Bend. Thank you for the entertainment boys and girls.”

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get a regular report each week from some of the spectators? If anyone is interested, give me a call. I want to thank Poul for his reports the last couple of weeks.

Don’t forget to get your ballots in the mail before February 9, after casting your vote in the levy election. Remember, voting is truly a privilege.

Tomorrow, (Friday) Naselle Timberland Library presents PageTurners Book Discussion from 10 a.m. to noon for adults. The group will discuss “City of Thieves” by David Beinoff. The library will open early for this event, only.

Looking for a special Valentine for a family member or friend? Why not stop in at the Naselle Library on February 10 from 3 to 5 p.m., and create one of your own. This class is open to all ages and all material will be provided. For more information call 484-3877.

Save February 14 for the annual Valentine Smorgasbord luncheon, hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary Post #111, and enjoy the festivities from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Naselle High School Commons. All you can eat salads, main dishes, home made pies and cakes. Adults: $10, Pre-teens: $6 and under six years $2. Everything is prepared and served by the American Legion Auxiliary Deep River Post #111, and proceeds benefit veterans’ needs, local scholarships and charity.

Other news from the Westend:

More news on the future of Johnson Park. In a memo to the Johnson Park Advisory Board from Wahkiakum County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Bigelow, he states, “On January 26, 2010, the Court of Appeals made a decision in the Johnson Park case. In its official opinion, the Court of Appeals reversed a ruling by Judge Sullivan and ruled that the property belongs to Wahkiakum County free and clear.”

With this in mind, the Johnson Park Advisory Board hopes to move forward with plans to keep the grounds and the school building available for the people in a park setting and user friendly for everyone to enjoy. Ultimately, we hope to make Johnson Park a true community center.

We are still looking for a triple sink for the kitchen, and are planning to focus on some fundraising events as well as a grand opening for our Grays River Valley Library. A tentative date for the opening is March 5. With luck, we hope to combine some of those activities.

Johnson Park is a busy place most days with several activities ongoing every week. Monday, a group of card players spend the afternoon with likeminded friends and neighbors for fun and snacks. Tuesday and Thursday, the Community Computer Center is open from 1 to 5 p.m. and the Yoga group also meets on those days at 5:30 p.m. under the direction of Jack Braman. Thursday evenings also hosts the Art Group at 7 p.m. Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) group meet in the fully functional exercise room.

If you are short on space for a meeting or family gathering, check out the cafeteria, for a nominal fee. For community service events, the room is free. Call Tim Virkkala for more information.

Speaking of meetings at Johnson Park, Cathy Hatcher will be hosting a Neighborhood Watch meeting this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. I know that most neighbors watch out for each other, but it seems there have been some recent unsavory activities in our community and it can’t hurt to learn what to do in the event it happens near you. Join with your neighbors and learn more about this program. For more information, call Cathy at 484-3924. Or pick up a flyer at some of the local businesses. Refreshments will be served.

The Grays River Habitat Enhancement District will hold its regular monthly meeting on February 10 at 6 p.m. in the Grays River Grange Hall. On the agenda, will be more discussion on the Mill Road construction project by the Columbia Land Trust. Landowners are encouraged to come and give their input and suggestions on the project. Representatives from the Columbia Land Trust will be attending the meeting as well. Refreshments will be served.

Start thinking about getting your tickets for the American Legion Deep River Post #111, Annual Crab Feed. They always sell out, and there are only 225 available. The feed will take place on March 6 at the Rosburg Hall. Tickets are $25 and include crab, (all you can eat) oysters, baked beans, garlic bread, potato salad and coleslaw. You can’t beat this one; it’s the best crab feed around and the oysters are to die for. For tickets and more information call Dale Rose (465-2234) or Dan Anderson (465-2615).

If you enjoy a stuffed, baked potato, one with all the trimmings, how about this for a treat? Join the folks at Grays River United Methodist Church on February 28, any time from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in their Social Hall. The church ladies will also be serving dessert and beverages. Everyone is welcome. There is no charge, but a free-will offering will be accepted for the benefit of the Sunday School.

Check out the Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at the Rosburg Hall on the 10th, for a delicious lunch of roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, veggies, fresh bread and dessert. Bring a friend.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, senior lunches are also served at the hall, sponsored by CAP. A great way for our seniors to connect, visit and enjoy healthy, nutritional meals.

Birthdays being celebrated this week include: Mindy McNulty on the 4th; Stacy Trimble and Marco Columbo on the 7th; Darrill Corbin and Michael Ehrlund on the 8th; Kelsi Jo Baker and Lars Peterson on the 9th; Jim Laney, Abbie Laine and Austin Crozier on the 10th. Happy birthday to each of you.

Happy anniversary wishes go out this week to the following couples: Bud and Wendy Strange on the 6th; Ted and Sally Swanson and John and Alma Dryer on the 8th. Wishing you many more.