Blessing of the animals Sunday at 10

I understand that several people have been having some issues with their telephones and their service through Wahkiakum West. I also had some problems. When I spoke with Carol Larson at the Wahkiakum West office, she asked that I put the word out for everyone who is having a problem, please document the time, date, phone number of origin and/or destination, your phone number and exactly what was going on, then e-mail it to her at clarson@wahkiakumwest.net. By doing this she can forward the gathered info to the outside carrier and maybe get to the bottom of the dropped calls, busy signals, etc. Our local phone company needs our help and support to clear up the problems some of us seem to be having. Thank you in advance for your help.

Will it ever be summer? This “global warming” trend is sure different than I expected it to be. We will all freeze to death if it continues in the current direction.

News from Naselle:

Tomorrow is the last day of school for students at Naselle-Grays River Valley School for the 2010-11 school years. Congratulations to each and every student for all your individual accomplishments, especially the graduating class. Wishing everyone a safe and wonderful summer.

The Naselle School Board will meet on June 21 at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public, and it’s a great opportunity to see what is going on in our school district.

Other news from the Westend:

The Grays River United Methodist Church will hold their annual special service for a blessing of the animals this Sunday at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome to bring their animals to this service which will be held outside. Lunch will be served following the blessing. For more information call Lois Burkhalter at 465-2240.

We had the pleasure of attending a couple of the grad parties on Saturday. Good job, Tom Hammonds and Ollie Baker. We are proud to have been a part of your celebrations. Wishing you both a bright and prosperous future.

I hear that there is some busy excitement at the home of Gary and Susan Burkhalter. Susan returned home last Thursday with their two new adopted sons, after an extremely long wait. Welcome home, Gus and Bowen. What lucky little boys, coming home to such a wonderful family, and two awesome big brothers as well. Congratulations Gary, Susan, Kyle and Austin on your new little family members. Wishing everyone well and letting you know that I’m not far away if you need a sitter or volunteer grandma (probably not a problem knowing Lois and Sally.) Congratulations to the new grandparents and the rest of the extended family also.

By the time the paper goes to press, the Grays River Valley community will have met with KATU, channel 2 at the Covered Bridge to discuss the spreading of sludge on land in the flood plain of Grays River. We are looking forward to coverage that will help other counties and communities deal with this subject, and lend support to more ordinances restricting the use of sludge in critical areas of our land. Thank you to everyone who spoke with investigative reporter Anna Canzano, and provided information to her to give her a better understanding of the issue. And also to those who showed up in support of our ordinance restricting the use of anything less than Class A biosolids.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at Rosburg Hall will enjoy pulled pork on hoagie buns with coleslaw, fresh veggies and dessert on the 22nd. Come on down and check out Pat Potter’s wonderful recipes and spend a little time with your neighbors while enjoying a great lunch.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays seniors can also get a great lunch with the Rosburg Senior Lunches program sponsored by CAP with site manager, Nicole Browning and her volunteer group. Menus for the coming week: Thursday, the 16th-chicken enchiladas, Spanish rice, fiesta vegetables and raspberry bars; Tuesday, the 21st-beef pot roast, steamed potatoes, carrots and mushrooms, tossed salad and pineapple upside down cake; Thursday, the 23rd-chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, broccoli Normandy, sliced oranges and carrot cake.

Birthday wishes go out to the following celebrants this week: Mary Beth Queral, Steve Davis, Alicia Crozier, Teresa Legler, Dick Burkhalter, Madison Didion, Becky Torppa, Tim Calvert, Dennis York, Kenny Clifford, Rokey Scott, Greg Wirkkala, Sheriann Wirkkala, Byron Saari, John Dreyer, Leon Gollersrud, Peggy Dotson, Sabrina Wirkkala, Lorie Smith, Charmie Sprague, Jennifer Bennett and Jenny Klinger.

I would like to wish a special Happy Birthday to Blair Brady. When our county needed common sense, this man stepped up to the plate and has represented his constituents even when he didn’t agree with them. Blair has brought more than common sense to his role as county commissioner. He has done his homework when issues arise and has brought truth and facts to the table, and refuses to endorse spending county funds when it isn’t necessary. Thank you, Blair, for your efforts and your service to your community, and most of all for being a good friend. Where’s the party?

June is definitely wedding month. Lots of happy anniversary wishes this week to Doug and Shannon Tetz, Matt and Trina Scrabeck, Ed and Sandy Boyle, Tim and Martha Tienhaara, Glen and Donna Goddard, David and Rebecca Strong, Mike and Carrie Nortrup, Wilho and Kaisa Saari, JJ and Deanna McCullough, David and Joyce Rangila and Dan and Marilynn Smalley. Congratulations and good wishes for many more celebrations.

A special happy anniversary to the caregivers of one of our first puppies, Wallace and Maria Wirkkala. Wishing you and Trigger many more years together, and may he continue to stack all the wood you need to keep you comfortable and warm.

Two weekends ago (that hot, hot day with sunshine—remember?), my husband and I decided to head down to Duffy’s Irish Pub in Grays River for a hamburger and a brew for dinner on the deck, overlooking the river. While we were there a very nice young couple, Dan and Maggie Richards from Ridgefield, happened to strike up a conversation with us. They had been to the coast and drove through our little piece of heaven, stopping at Duffy’s, also for dinner. They had recently moved to the west coast from Michigan as he had taken a new job, doing work with BPA and affiliates.

They were out sightseeing again last Saturday and called us from Cannon Beach to say they would be driving through once again and would like to meet with us, so between grad parties we stopped and had another short visit with them at Duffy’s. I can understand why they keep coming back this way, because that is exactly how I felt when I first came to Grays River 10 years ago. It’s home to me, and maybe someday they will become new neighbors. If that were the case, I would be happy to say welcome and we look forward to many more visits with you in the meantime.

As I finish up this column, my carpet layers have finally arrived to install my carpet upstairs. It’s been a long time coming, but finally-- some of the finishing touches. We also have a gentleman coming to give us a bid on putting up gutters. Wow, it’s getting closer.