Exciting changes due for Johnson Park

Another weird week of weather. It looks like all the gloom and doom forecasts have just about missed us so far. It makes me wonder how much these folks get paid, with all the high tech equipment, and still can’t get it even close to right. Maybe they should have a window put in their offices, and look outside before they give a forecast.

Be advised, though, the bad weather warnings need to be heeded, just in case. Living in the country makes it difficult to run out and get what you need at a moments notice. Make sure you keep supplies on hand in case of an emergency. Check on your neighbors as well. It’s not being nosy, it’s being neighborly.

News from Naselle:

No school on Monday, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

The Naselle-Grays River Valley School Board meeting will take place on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Sports schedule for the Comets this week include Thursday-high school boys basketball and girls basketball at Warrenton at 5:45 p.m.; Friday-high school girls basketball with South Bend at home at 5:45 p.m.; Saturday-high school boys basketball at South Bend at 5:45 p.m.; Tuesday-high school boys and girls basketball at North West Christian at 5:45 p.m. middle school boys basketball at home with South Bend at 5:45 p.m.; Wednesday-middle school boys basketball with Willapa Valley at home at 5:45 p.m. Go Comets!

Other news from the Westend:

The Johnson Park Advisory Board met last week and would like me to let the community know that there are some exciting things in the works for the old Rosburg School building. Since Wahkiakum County now owns the building/grounds and they have set up the advisory board to handle the everyday workings of the park, it has been self sustaining (barely at times). The park has generated enough money through rental of rooms, donations and minimal fees for a yearly individual/family sponsorships/activities fees. That said, we are having a hard time making ends meet, and would appreciate it if all users of the facilities would remember to keep all doors closed in a room that is being heated, including the gym. This is your facility and in order to keep it open and the propane bills paid, please, keep the doors shut. Thank you in advance for your attention to this important detail.

The board also discussed the idea of combining the computer center with our library. With a little more measuring and discussion they think it can be accomplished without much inconvenience to either room, though it will take a few weeks of preparation. In the meantime you can still visit the computer center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-5 p.m. and the Grays River Valley Library on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. The library is closed on Monday and Tuesday.

We have a new Johnson Park Events Coordinator as well. If you would like to book an event at Johnson Park please call Judy Durrah at 465-2331. She can give you whatever information you need. She will be setting up a calendar in the hallway, with all of the regular events going on as well as any special events being booked. Thank you Judy for taking on this important position. A calendar will also be posted in the library.

Senior lunches are served on Tuesdays and Thursdays sponsored by CAP, at the Rosburg Hall.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch also meets at the Rosburg Hall, and that lunch is prepared by Pat Potter and her volunteer group. Two wonderful venues for our seniors to meet, socialize and enjoy a hearty meal.

Birthdays being celebrated this week include Dylan Wirkkala, Cody Wirkkala, Evan Hendrickson, Ed Rafferty, Haleigh See, Dakota Phillips, Noreen Fitts, Susan Amala, David Gradt, Dennis Larson, Lilly Shelter, Patti Beaulaurier, Jaymi Whalen, Katelend Busse, David Helvey, Linda Gollersrud, Myrtle Rose, Kyle Saari, Crystal Gardner, Greg Nelson, Andy Bighill, Amy Reach, Craig Kent, Shannon Maki, Tom Gradt, Evert Ehrlund, Jeff Tarabochia, Shelby Leeland, Debbie Saari and Diane Wirkkala. Happy Birthday everyone!

Happy Anniversary wishes to the following couples this week: Bill and Teresa Wood, Phillip and Nancy Wirkkala and Stanley and Helen Rangila. Wishing you many more.

To end this week’s column I thought I would let the readers know about a beautiful collaboration between two of our local, talented residents. Krist Novoselic and Robert Michael Pyle have put together a wonderful poetry reading accompanied by music composed for the occasion. You can listen to Notes from the Edge of the Known World featuring these two artists by going to the Grays River Grange website and clicking on the link. It is really an awesome piece.