Halloween, Harvest Festival Saturday

We enjoyed a wonderful unplanned trip to Redmond, Ore. this past weekend and celebrated our daughter’s 45th birthday with her and her family. She and her husband and our son and daughter in law are in the process of brewing beer and hopefully opening their own brewery soon, to be called “Smith Rock Brewery.” I had the pleasure of helping brew a new batch on Saturday. It’s an interesting process, and not as easy as I thought it would be.

News from Naselle:

The Naselle-Grays River Valley School District is now on Facebook.

Bring the family and enjoy an evening together at the All-school Carnival held in the Naselle School Commons tomorrow (Friday) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Booster Club.

The Naselle Comet football team has clinched the league title for the Pacific 2B league, after last Friday’s victory over Ocosta, 55-6. They will host Wahkiakum on November 5th for the opening round of the Southwest 2B District playoffs.

Tonight, (Thursday) the Comets will host Ocosta at home at 7 p.m. The senior team members will be honored with a special tribute at their final game. This tradition is always an emotional one especially for the parents. I remember it well.

Other sports on this week's calendar: Saturday-high school cross country district meet in Battle Ground at 12:20 p.m. and high school volleyball vs. Central #7 at Valley at 1 p.m. Go Comets!

Other news from the Westend:

Our community has lost a wonderful, very special lady with the passing of Jennie Pearson last week. Jennie always had a smile and her friendly attitude was contagious, in that she seemed to care so much about others and was a very hard worker. She talked frequently about her family and her love of life. I feel very blessed to have known this unique and caring woman. My condolences to her family. She will certainly be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.

This is the weekend for the big bash at Johnson Park. The Second annual Halloween and Harvest Fest will take place on Saturday beginning with trick or treating at 4 p.m. at the spooky west entrance of the Grays River Valley Center (old Rosburg School). At the north entrance, you can purchase tickets at four for $1 to be used for games, face painting, cake walk, hot dogs and pop. At about 7 p.m., everyone is invited to settle down and enjoy a couple of old G-rated movies (Monsters, Inc. and Lady in White are the features) and free popcorn.

We still need a few more volunteers to help with the games, so if you have a couple of free hours, please call me, Penny Gregory or Cindy Lahti. Dress up in costume, or not, and come on by for a family friendly evening of fun, food, games and treats. If we have half as much fun as last year it will be another successful event.

The community has been extremely generous again this year with their donations. We want to thank the following for helping make this a kid friendly, safe event: Wahkiakum West Telephone, Naselle Rock, Okie’s, Naselle Hardware, Rosburg Store, Bill Karwowski, Delvin Fredrickson, Randy and Ramona Collver, Rick and Cindy Lahti, Alan and Penny Gregory, the Johnson Park Advisory Board, and all the other volunteers.

Make a day of it on Saturday. Start out at the Grays River United Methodist Church Friendship Circle’s Stew Luncheon & Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Have a wonderful lunch here with their home made beef stew, cheesy bread, coffee, hot mulled cider and dessert. Do a little shopping for handmade gifts, and homemade baked goods. You can also take your meal home with you to eat later.

The church is located on State Route 4 near milepost 18, on the hill east of the Grays River Café. For information on the event, phone 360-465-2740 or 360-465-2240. To call in take out orders the day of the event, call 360-465-2391.

After a hard day of local shopping and a great meal, head on up to Johnson Park for a fun evening and a lighter meal as well as a movie and free popcorn. Where else can you have such a good day, shop locally and benefit a couple of good community causes? Hope to see everyone there.

The annual Holiday Bazaar and lunch sponsored by the Rosburg Community Club at Rosburg Hall will be held on November 5 with their delicious baked chicken, rolls, salad bar, juice and coffee on the luncheon menu. Also available for sale will be baked goods made by the members of the Rosburg Community Club, and many items from a variety of vendors. Lots of hand made goodies from wood work, craft items and food items.

There is still space available if you are interested in setting up a table. Please call 465-2234 for more information.

Mark your calendar for the annual fall American Legion Pancake Breakfast. It will take place on November 12 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at the Deep River Post #111 in Deep River. All you can eat pancakes with ham or sausage, eggs, juice, milk and coffee.

The price remains the same as it has for several years at $5 for adults and $3 for kids under 12 years old. Proceeds from the breakfast will be used to support local vets and youth groups.

Birthdays being celebrated this week include Peter Hunter, Judy Paavola, Clay Mullins, Lindsay Smith, Sharon Johnson-Ross, Kevin Maki, Kyle Olmstead, Lindsay Littau, Jeff Eaton, Kevin McNulty, K.J. Keightly-Baker, Joel Forbes, Norm Penttila and Lorna Batt. Happy Birthday everyone.

Get well soon wishes for Timo Virkkala. We miss him at Johnson Park, even if it’s only for a short time.

By now most of you are aware that the Rosburg Store was broken into over the weekend. It’s really a shame that thieves are among us and choose to take from others rather than be honest and work for what they want. When you are robbed, you feel violated and helpless. You want the perpetrators caught and punished, so if you know anything or can provide any information about the two thieves, please contact the sheriff’s department. Photos taken by the security cameras can be seen at the store.

Though we missed the rain last weekend, we are certainly enjoying the warm days early this week, and even getting a few outside chores done. Don’t forget to cover your plants at night though as the frost is here, with cool temperatures for the nighttime.