Summer makes spotty appearance

I guess one day of summer weather every once in a while is all we are going to get from Mother Nature this year. It sure doesn't make it easy to build a house or plant a garden.

News from Naselle:

School is out for the summer but I would like to commend the high school and middle school students who made the honor roll for the 4th quarter. They are: Seniors--Alex Bighill, Chase Chapman, Cody Cooley and Taylor Wasmundt; Juniors--Robert Eaton, Trevin Leeland*, Lidia Sanchez, Austin Smith, Cramer Smith*, Rachel Underwood, Christopher Walkowiak*, and Amber Wirkkala; Sophomores--Jordan Badger, Chandler Chapman, Jacob Condon, Victoria Corona, Brenden Greenfield, Makenzie Matthews, Ciara Sandell, Kirsten Scrabeck, Raymond Shotwell*, Thomas Shotwell, Jordan Smith, Allison Todd*, Levi Wasmundt, and Mary Wirkkala; Freshmen--River Andring, David Blaylock, Christina Carter, Karianna Condon, Aaron DaVall, Benjamin Gonzalez, Katie Green*, Dakota Phillips, Haley Pine, Keith Reitz, Nicholas Strange, Tyler VerHulst, Jacob Williams and Grace Zimmerman**.

Eight grade: Matthew Carter, Adrian Corona, Emily Gjovik**, Madison Green, Robyn Lavin, Connor See, Breanna Smith, Franco Smith*, Brittany Waltemate**, Elizabeth Winters, Amethyst Wirkkala**, Madison Wirkkala, Skyler York, and Olivia Zimmerman; Seventh grade: Emily Bjornsgard*, Jake Clark*, Natisha Cooper, Taylor Eaton*, Hannah Ellsworth, Ramzi Estes, Haley Footh, Kendra Leeland*, Makayla Matthews, Travis Pine and Jordyn VerHulst; Sixth grade: Cameron Burch, Ellie Chapman*, Shannon Christie*, Philippe de Montadouin, Raja Estes**, Elyssa Hale, Kyryn Jacot, Jacqueline Jarrett, Makayla Mabbitt, Alexis Nortrup*, Isabelle Salazar*, Alexander Stenvall*, Kyle Strange, Andrew Todd*, Arianna Williams, and Isabel Zimmerman**. Note that * denotes High Honors (3.75 GPA), ** denotes 4.0 GPA.

Congratulations to all students. Have a great summer.

Don't forget the Wildwood Rally sponsored by the Pacific County Chapter of ABATE, coming soon to the Deep River Campgrounds on July 8, 9, and 10. Enjoy a great weekend with fellow motorcycle riders. For more info, contact Lenny Pletsch at 484-7226.

Other news from the Westend:

The Valley Bible preschool students ended the year on May 26 as Becky Erickson ended her 30th year of teaching preschool. The children had a great day with both classes together for a fun filled carnival day followed by each child receiving a certificate of completion and entertaining their families with a few of their favorite songs and Bible verses. Afterwards, the kids all ate lunch together, received gift bags from teacher and enjoyed ice cream. Children in the morning group were Braden Avalon, Jocelyn Fithen, Nancy Haataja, Allen Haataja, Kaylee Langson, Kayli Wirkkala, and Hunter Blain. The afternoon class were Christian Brown, Ahlena Greet, Jacob Pakenen, Aliya Tienhaara, Kinsley Lanz and Hannah Haataia. Emily Saari is the regular teacher's aide at the preschool. Throughout the year many parents willingly helped out with all the many things that happen on a daily basis for which Mrs. Erickson is very grateful. If you have a child who is aged three and a half and would like to attend preschool starting in September at the Valley Bible Preschool, please give Becky Erickson a call at 465-2555.

During the summer months the St. James Family Center sponsored Play and Learn group will be meeting on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Valley Bible Church. All parents with children aged up to five years are welcome to attend this free time to get together with other parents and children for a time of play and learning. Becky Erickson is the facilitator for the group and welcomes all with little ones to come and enjoy the group, discuss a topic and enjoy a light snack. Off and on the group takes a field trip and coming soon will be the trip to the trolley ride and picnic in Astoria. Please call Becky at 465-2555 if you have any questions.

I had a chance to talk to Marilyn Gudmundsen about her recent visit to Japan and Guam. The trip began on May 26 as Marilyn flew from Seattle to Narita Airport in Tokyo and then took a three and a half hour flight to Guam in order to celebrate the kindergarten graduation of her six year old granddaughter Miwa, who is the daughter of Marilyn's son Tor and Manami Gudmundsen.

After a week of preparation for the ceremony and party, the graduation was held in the village of Tumond, Guam at the St. Johns school. Marilyn says "The day was great and Miwa's parents and grandparents were especially proud." Marilyn stayed on for another week to visit with the family and to renew friendships with folks she had met on a prior visit four years ago.

Marilyn then flew back to a small suburb of Tokyo for four days with Miwa's mother Manami and grandmother Yako Yamada where Miwa will attend a Japanese summer school. Miwa has attended this summer program for three years now and turns quite a few heads with her fluent speaking in both English and Japanese.

It is wonderful to have Marilyn home again but she says that "the recovery time takes much longer as a result of flying around the world than it did a few year ago when I was younger." I just want to say that Marilyn is much younger in her heart than most of us. Welcome home.

Birthdays being celebrated this week are Jason Stephan, Debbie Welsh, Jennifer Smith, Dan Wilson, Cherise Bjornsgard, Jame Eastham, Stacey Agee, Taylor Rose Eaton, Courtney Lemon, Alan See, Angelee Torppa, Eleanor Saari, Don Revis, and Jeffery Mennen. Happy birthday to all of you.

Couples celebrating their anniversaries this week are Cliff and Kaye Weimer, Brad and Crystal Lanz, Steve and Lori Smith, Michael and Rebecca Busses, Larry and Berniece Helton and Bill and Debbie Littlefield. Wishing you many more.

It seems my brain hasn't been working very well lately, as I have forgotten lots of things that I didn't used to forget. I want to wish a belated happy 55th wedding anniversary to my uncle and aunt, David and Claudine Hammonds of Grays River. The two of you are truly an inspiration to many of us, and now I guess you can thumb your noses at those who said "it'll never last." Love you both.

Another belated happy anniversary to our good friends Al and Nancy George, also of Grays River. Wishing you many, many more fishing expeditions together. Sorry, Al, Nancy is "the bomb" when it comes to sturgeon but you know how to find them. Hope you had a happy day.

Looking forward to weekend with kids and grandkids from California and Oregon. It will be quite a campout as the house is not done. Oh well, we always make do and have fun at the same time. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July everyone.