Family in need after devastating fire

News from Naselle:

Mother Nature must be at least part Finn. What a great weekend in Naselle! The place was packed with activities and folks from everywhere. Many thanks to everyone, especially the volunteers, for another wonderful Finnish-American Folk Festival.

On July 22, a group of 35 golfers met at Peninsula Golf Course in Long Beach for the Finnish-American Folk Festival’s biennial golf outing.

According to Mike Swanson, “The golf course was in excellent condition and all the staff in the clubhouse were very helpful. Special kudos for Sondra’s wonderful, Finnish dessert!”

Nine teams competed for first place honors and the special handmade trophy (by Rowena Ehrlund.) Winners of the Scramble format were Dave and Trevin Leeland, and Mike Swanson with a score of 53.

Other awards were given to lady golfers Mindy Aho Penttila and Christina Sturman; youngest golfers Trevin Leeland and Chandler Chapman; most senior golfer Ted Swanson; most colorful to Bill Pratt; KP #4 to Cliff Hargand; KP #6 to Dan Edmondson; Long Drive to Lamar Wirkkala.

Special thanks from the golfers to the hole sponsors: Bank of the Pacific, Organic Valley/Burkhalter Dairy, Mike Swanson , Faith Leadership Consulting/Karen Bertroch, Cliff Kilponen Logging, Okies and Wahkiakum West Telephone/Direct TV.

This report from the Paavo Nurmi Run was sent to me by Jennifer Bennett. She says, “We had a very successful race this year with 68 registered participants. Runners and walkers were given race instructions early Saturday morning for the 5k by former NHS Track Coach, Steve Tolva. Participants were sounded off by a gun start and greeted at the “Finnish” line with the Naselle Marimba Band playing their favorite tunes.”

Medals were given to the top three individuals in both the men and women’s division for the run and the walk. Three special awards were also given to the youngest and oldest participants and to the person who traveled the farthest to attend the race. The results are as follows:

MEN – Run: Dean Mallory – 18:39, Allan Beck – 18:48, Nicholas Phipps – 20:12; MEN – Walk: Ryan Rutter – 40:45, Marty Murphy – 41:31, Phil Penttila – 44:50; WOMEN – Run: Cherilyn Phipps – 23:54, Alissa Dorman – 24:21, Karen Beck – 24:59; WOMEN – Walk: Chrissy Dolyle – 40:48,

Catherine North – 41:15, Mindy Penttila – 41:38.

SPECIAL AWARDS: Youngest Participant (6 Months) – Brenner Huhta, Oldest Participant (age kept secret) – Norma Voigt; Farthest Traveler – Jane Penttila-Kelly from New York.

The Timberland Regional Library Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting on July 28 at 1 p.m. at the Ocean Park Timberland Library located at 1308 256th Place, Ocean Park, Washington. The meeting is open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend.

Other news from the Westend:

This is it! Pig Roast Time once again. Enjoy a wonderful weekend with Poul and Zenaida Toftemark for their 14th annual Campout and Pig Roast. Located at 4491 SR 4 West (Echo Meadow), there is something for everyone. Canoeing, soccer, swimming, tetherball, volleyball, trampoline, a huge slip n slide, horse shoes, or just plain relaxing with a cold drink in your hand and watching all the activities.

The pig will be pulled off the spit at about 3 p.m., give or take an hour or two, depending on the porker, on Saturday, and the feasting will begin. Please bring a dish or two to share, your own chairs to sit in, your own liquid refreshments and some good friendly conversation as there doesn’t seem to be any strangers at this event. Please bring swimsuits and lifejackets for any near the water activities.

There are also places to camp if you would like to make it a total weekend outing, and tents can be set up starting on Thursday.

This annual event is planned at least a year in advance to coincide with Poul and Zenaida’s wedding anniversary which is on July 31. While you’re there don’t forget to wish them a wonderful day, and thank them for sharing such a special time with everyone. Happy 11th Anniversary to some wonderful friends, and wishing you many many more.

On July 21, the Steve Olson family on Oneida Road in Deep River, lost their home to a fire as well as most of their possessions. A website has been set up so the community can help out if possible. That website is: http://tinyurl.com/olsonfamily.

Please come to a fundraising event for the Olson family at the Rosburg Hall on August 14 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Several nice items will be auctioned and there will be food and beer onsite. If you can help with the event, provide donations for the auction, or for any questions please call Corbett McMaster (360) 751-8888.

Following is a list of immediate needs for the family and how you can help:

The family is currently living in a tent and needs a trailer to live in temporarily. Donate to the Olson Fund at any Bank of the Pacific, a fund which is only for building materials, heavy and light labor, and help with fund raisers. Those wishing to help can attend the fund raising auction on August 14, donate building materials, put up flyers and set out coffee cans to take donations in your workplace, grocery store, etc., and pray for the family and volunteers!

You can also mail donations to: Olson Fund c/o Bank of the Pacific, 309 Old Knappton Road, Naselle, WA 98638.

A Candidate’s Forum was held at Johnson Park on Tuesday evening, so hopefully the voters had an opportunity to meet the candidates and get a few questions answered with regard to how you will cast your primary vote on August 17. The primary ballots will be mailed on July 30.

Members of the Grays River United Methodist Church will hold a Flea Market, Produce, and Bake Sale on the grounds of the church on August 6 and 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Free Coffee and cookies will be served. The church is located near mile marker 18 on Hwy 4 West in Grays River.

Another chance to have your pet vaccinated at a discount price; don’t forget the Dog and Cat Vaccination Clinic to be held on August 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds in Skamokawa. This clinic is sponsored by Wahkiakum County 4-H Clubs. For more information please call 360 484-7228.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets at Rosburg Hall every week. Lunches are prepared by Pat Potter and her group of volunteers. Enjoy a great meal with some great company.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays all Seniors are welcome to partake of a great nutritious meal sponsored by CAP.

Birthdays being celebrated this coming week include Gene Strong, Diane Mattson, Shirley Herrold and Kyryn Jacot on the 29th; Corina Lee, Brendan Wallace and Bryon Adair on the 30th; Loretta Smalley and Alex Badger on the 31st; Allisa Dorman, Lois Rogers, Jennifer Boggs and Katie Olson on August 1st; Anita Adair, Karen Jansma and Eric Smalley on the 2nd; Inez Wirkkala, Annie Strange, Jeff Ammer, Joni Matthews, Makayla Matthews and Scott Smith on the 3rd; Austin Smith, Wendy Crozier, Merle Hall, Kylee Tarabochia and Anita Adair on the 4th. Happy Birthday everyone!

Happy Anniversary to the following couples this week: Quinn and Amber Donlon on the 30th; Marshall and Denise Blanchard and Alan and Diane Bennett on August 3. Wishing you many more.

A special Happy Birthday to my granddaughter, Kaylee Turner, on August 4. We love you lots and have a wonderful birthday.

My sister, Sharon, will be flying in for a visit on August 2 and will stay for a couple of weeks at least. Looks like my husband will be spending some extra time in the shop with his “other girl” (his ’59 Ford pickup) with three women in the house. Not to mention three sisters.