Winter break for schools not sports

Sunday certainly brought an interesting storm to our area. The Grays River was over its banks and in the fields within a few minutes that afternoon. We drove to Rosburg at about 3 p.m. and in the time it took us to get back home the water was about four inches deep over our driveway coming in. Of course, Lake Fred (our pasture during fair weather and duck pond during storms), was already up by then and the creek was more than full. Such an exciting place to live, but you know, I wouldn’t trade it for anywhere else.

On Monday, our last two windows and sliding glass door were delivered. That was quite a task for the driver with flood water over the driveway, but he made it. Kudos to Home Depot for their experienced drivers.

News from Naselle:

Winter break begins on Monday, the 20th. Students will return to school in January. Even though the kids are out of school, the sports program continues. Sports schedule for the next week is as follows: Thursday-high school boys basketball at home with Northwest Christian at 5:45 p.m .; Friday-high school boys basketball and girls basketball at Ocosta at 5:45 p.m .; Monday-high school girls basketball with Raymond at home at 5:45 p.m .; Tuesday- high school boys basketball at Raymond at 5:45 p.m. and high school girls basketball with Montesano at home at 5:45 p.m .; Wednesday- high school boys basketball with Wahkiakum at home at 4:30 p.m.

The 12th issue of the Comet Booster Club’s community birthday calendar is now available. You can pick up your copy at Okie’s in Naselle or the District office at the school. They are also available at the Rosburg Store in Rosburg. The price is still $4 and proceeds benefit our kids through the Booster Club.

Are you looking for something different to do on New Year’s Eve? Why not check out the Astoria Cannery Pier Hotel’s Second Annual Scandinavian New Year’s Eve Celebration and Astoria’s Bicentennial Birthday, at The Loft in The Red Building.

The festivities will start at 9 p.m. with music and culinary small bites. At 9:30 p.m., Wilho will offer a moving kantele performance. At 10 p.m. the Scandinavian Festival Dancers will perform – and guests are invited to join in afterwards for a Polka or Schottische, if they wish, with charming dancing instructors. Throughout the evening "Shanghaied" cast members will provide surprises and door prizes and at midnight there will be champagne and party favors (along with Astoria's first Bicentennial Birthday Cake!) as participants listen to Columbia River ships sounding their horns to welcome in the New Year. Here’s an opportunity to celebrate a momentous new year for Astoria in a unique Astoria-centric international way!

Tickets may be purchased at the door for $25 per person or $45 per couple. Tickets for children 12 and older (accompanied by adults please) are $10. Tickets include one drink per person at the no-host bar provided in the Loft as well as the music, food and party favors, Astoria Bicentennial Birthday Cake and champagne toast at midnight. Please call Cannery Pier Hotel at 503-325-4996 or 888-325-4996 for more information.

Other news from the Westend:

My husband and I spent a large part of last Saturday in Warrenton helping to celebrate the first birthday of our grandson, Emmett. It was quite a celebration, though we missed Emmett’s daddy, who is serving in the Army in Iraq. Lots of fun, presents and kids having a grand time. A tired little birthday boy by the end of the day, though.

Speaking of grandbabies, there are a couple of new, first time grandparents here in Grays River.

Dennis and Connie Nagasawa welcomed the birth of new grandson, Rhys Harmon Nagasawa on December 7. Rhys weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. and was 19 ½ inches long. His proud parents are John and Nancy Nagasawa of Woodland.

Gabriella DeJesus-Rodriguez was born to Ashley DeJesus and Leo Rodriquez of Warrenton on December 11. Her first time grandparents are Kimberly DeJesus of Grays River and Alajandro DeJesus of Warrenton. First time great grandparents include Merlin and Judy Durrah of Grays River and Antonia DeJesus of Atlixco, Puebla Mexico. New aunts, Samantha and Antonia DeJesus of Warrenton were also pretty excited about the birth of their new niece.

The Sugar and Spice 4-H Club is having a Holiday Food Drive which will benefit the Wahkiakum Food Bank. This is the perfect time to share with others. With the holiday season upon us, many of us are truly blessed and what a wonderful way to give. You can participate in this food drive by donating at the Rosburg Store. The 4-H club has a box set up there for donations.

The Grays River Valley Library, located at Johnson Park in the old Rosburg School will host the final (Solstice) event on the “Mariposa Road” tour calendar featuring local author, Dr. Robert Michael Pyle. The event will take place on December 21, with two different readings. The first will be at 3 p.m. for those who prefer not to be out after dark, and the second will be at 7 p.m. for those who can’t make it to the matinee.

Each program will include a short reading (approximately 15 minutes), followed by questions and answers, booksigning and getting to know an outstanding author and friend and neighbor to many here in the Grays River Valley.

Pick up a signed copy of Bob’s book while you’re there and make it your Christmas gift to yourself or for someone special.

Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun hearing about Bob’s yearlong search for butterflies in every state. Thank you, Bob for sharing your story with us.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at Rosburg Hall will enjoy meatloaf, spuds, gravy, veggies, hot rolls and dessert on the 22nd.

The Rosburg Senior Community Lunches sponsored by CAP are served on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This week’s menus are as follows: Thursday, the 16th-sweet and sour chicken, brown rice, broccoli and mushrooms and berry parfait; Tuesday, the 21st-oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots and pineapple upside down cake; closed on Thursday, the 23rd for the holiday. Lunches will resume on Tuesday, the 28th.

Birthdays being celebrated this coming week include: Alan Gregory (aka “great white hunter” and “son”), Gary Olmstead, Breanna Smith, Ron Salme, Samantha Henry, Sonja Engelbretson, Christina Jackson, Brian Macy, Kaycee Headley, Rylee Varila, Amanda Wilson, Marilyn Nikolas, Brandi VanDusen, Tyler Trimble, Brandi Tarabochia, Marshall Blanchard, Calvin Zimmerman, Richard Kittinger, Michelle Bighill, Steve Olson, Annette Bowker and Holly Zabodyn. Wishing all of you a wonderful day.

Happy belated birthday to Rudy Privett. Hope your special day was wonderful.

A very special Happy Birthday to our son, Donald, who turns the big “40” today. Thank you so much for all your free labor and for travelling from Bend to help out with the rebuilding of the house. Though it’s not his birthday, thanks also to our son-in-law, Kevin, from Redmond, Ore. He has been here every week for the last six weeks, building as well. We love you guys.

Happy Anniversary to the following couples: Monte and Mona Givens and Jim and Lynn Laney.

My sister Diane, has been on a little vacation in California for the past two weeks, and I want to let her know that I really missed her. So welcome home again, Sis! Diane had the opportunity to meet her little granddaughter while she was there. Janessa Sue is eight months old, the daughter of Diane’s son, David Gray and Cynthia. She is a real cutie.

Hope all your Christmas shopping is done, with just a little over a week to go. Hopefully the weather will hold out for anyone with plans to travel this holiday.