Christmas will be here very soon!

Only a little more than two weeks before Santa is to arrive. Hope you have all your shopping done, and that you have done much of it locally. We certainly have some talented folks in our area and with all the bazaars; it’s not hard to find unique gifts.

News from Naselle:

Sports coming up this week for the Naselle teams include: Thursday, the 9th-high school girls basketball at Wahkiakum starting at 5:45 p.m .; Saturday, the 11th-high school girls basketball at South Bend at 5:45 p.m .; Monday, the 13th-middle school girls basketball at Ocosta at 5:45 p.m .; Tuesday, the 14th-high school girls basketball at home with Northwest Christian at 5:45 p.m.

The Naselle Comet Booster Club will hold their regular monthly meeting on December 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Naselle’s annual Christmas Program will be on Wednesday, the 15th at 7 p.m.

It's easy to make this year truly special with perfect gifts for everyone on your list.

How? Simple: Mark December 11 on your calendar for Gifts That Make a Difference at the Liberty Theater. Enjoy great entertainment, sample the tasty treats, and find the most meaningful gifts available anywhere. Both the Finnish American Folk Festival and Appelo Archives Center are participating this year.

Donate in the name of someone you care about. Gift the gift of your time, or money or goods -- and do it in someone else's name. What could be more in keeping with the Spirit of the Season? Helping others never comes in the wrong size. And, doing it in someone else's name honors and touches that person deeply. Such gifts don't require the mad scramble on December 26 and long waits in the returns line. If such gifts are "returned," the rewards more than double for everyone concerned.

This is what it's all about! Forget pushing a cart up and down crowded aisles. Come join the festivities and rediscover the joy of giving. Rediscover the Holiday Spirit. Check out “Gifts That Make a Difference” on December 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the McTavish room (upstairs at the Liberty Theater in Astoria. Use the side door, not the main entrance.

For more info about the performers, check out the website: http://www.GiftsFair.Titanic Lifeboat Academy.org.

Other news from the Westend:

There will be a Christmas program and candlelight prayer service at Grays River United Methodist Church on December 19 at 5 p.m. The program will include special music presentations by people in the community, and a skit by the Grays River Players. Everyone is welcome. The ladies of the church will serve refreshments in the social hall immediately following this special program.

Free will donations will be accepted and will go to a local needy family, in the spirit of Christmas.

A big thank you to Poul Toftemark for opening his home to a few folks last Saturday evening in order to celebrate the re-election of County Commissioner Blair Brady. It was a truly enjoyable get together with open faced sandwiches (Danish style) made from home-made rye bread, by Poul himself. Lots of other goodies as well, brought by the other party-goers. Congratulations, Blair and thank you for representing your constituents.

Don’t forget the Grays River Grange annual Christmas party which will be held at Johnson Park again this year, on December 14. Enjoy dinner and caroling, the reading of “'Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Bob Pyle, and probably a visit from the jolly old gent himself to hand out gifts to the good boys and girls in attendance. Always a wonderful and festive evening.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at the Rosburg Hall will hold their annual Christmas Social on the 15th. Turkey, ham and all the trimmings as well as lots of fun. They always have a huge raffle drawing for many beautiful prizes. You are welcome to bring a salad or a dessert to share with your friends and neighbors.

Senior lunches are also served on Tuesdays and Thursdays and are sponsored by CAP.

Happy Birthday to the following celebrants this week: Sara Maki, Rod Ammer, Dean Helvey, Debbie Klinger, Benjamin Nikolas, Dorothy Trimble, Jim Strange, Deeanna McCullough, Rich Bennett, Noah Mattson, Francy Penttilla, Rex Shelter, Drew Macy, Hannah Wirkkala, Jim Eastham, Trevin Leeland, Margret Stayton, Maija Ross, Nathan Erickson, Carson Lanz, Tyler Smith, Rebecca Busse and Dale Tienhaara.

Happy Anniversary to Howard and Arlene Nelson and also to Ed and Rita Rafferty as they celebrate their special day.

We have recently found out that sending a care package to a soldier overseas is not as easy as it used to be. Since our boy Shane is now in Iraq, it turned out that we needed to know a few rules. When sending a package, you need to list each item in the package individually and list how much each item weighs. You must also fill out customs forms if there are more than three items in the box. USPS also recommends that you put a list (itemized) inside the package as well. I thought this info might be helpful to others sending packages to our men and women in uniform.