Thanksgiving over, Christmas coming

It didn’t look good for our trip to Oregon last week when we got up on Wednesday morning. Lake Fred (our hay field) had raised its ugly head and the driveway was flooded. Thank goodness for our van, which we ended up driving as the Volvo couldn’t make it through the water. My wonderful sister, Diane, even had to miss a day of work as she couldn’t get her car out. Now it looks like a little rain on the way and then some dry days.

News from Naselle:

The Naselle sports teams will be pretty busy with games in this week’s schedule: today (Thursday)-high school girl’s basketball at home with Knappa at 5:45 p.m .; Saturday-high school boy’s basketball at home with Wahkiakum at 5:45 p.m. and high school girl’s basketball at Ilwaco at 5:45 p.m .; Monday-middle school girl’s basketball at home with Valley at 5:45 p.m .; Tuesday-high school girl’s basketball at home with Montesano at 5:45 p.m .; Wednesday-high school boy’s basketball at Knappa at 5:45 p.m. and middle school girl’s basketball at Raymond at 5:45 p.m. Go Comet teams!

It’s a little early but wanted to get a reminder out for the Christmas Program at the Naselle-Grays River Valley School on December 14 at 7 p.m. Bring the family and enjoy an evening of music and pageantry for the holidays.

The Friends of the Naselle Timberland Library will meet at 6 p.m. on December 6 at the library. Monthly meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month except July and August. Meetings are open to the public and new members are always welcome. For more information call 360-484-3877.

Some special activities coming up at the Naselle Timberland Library include Winter Holiday Centerpieces, 6-8 p.m., on December 13 for adults. Join Christina Miller and learn the secrets of creating holiday arrangements. Bring your favorite waterproof bowl or shallow dish, as well as any special ornaments. All other materials will be provided. Registration is required; please call 360-484-3877.

Another fun project at the Naselle Timberland Library for children - If You Give Your Mouth A Cookie..., 3:30-4:15 p.m. on December 14. Hear the classic story “If You Give A Mouse A Cookie,” then decorate a cookie so spectacular you won’t want to eat it! Supplies provided by the Friends of the Naselle Timberland Library.

Pat Vernon was kind enough to fill me in with the details for the Martha’s Circle annual soup lunch and sale. It will take place on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Naselle Congregational Church located at 14 Parpala Road in Naselle. Enjoy a great lunch with your choice of navy bean soup or clam chowder with dessert and a beverage for a donation of $6. Do a little shopping at the site with several exceptional vendors and benefit a wonderful group.

The Annual Finnish-American Folk Festival Christmas Concert, Tour of Homes, and Soup Supper will be held December 4.

The concert will begin at 1 p.m. at the Historic Pioneer Deep River Lutheran Church and will feature Wilho Saari with extended family playing the Kantele; The Naselle Chime Choir with soloist Lisa Bighill; Sou-West-Aires Quartet; Finnish-American Choir; and group singing of Traditional Christmas Carols.

Homes featured on the self-tour, from 2 -5 p.m., include two in Deep River (near the Church). The home of George and Donna Klint was built in 1885 by Finnish immigrants, the John Rull family, and is highlighted with some of the original furnishings. Adjacent to this property is the new Hiline Home built by the Klints' youngest daughter, and her family, this past year. Rich, Diane, and Christian Brown's home features four bedrooms and two baths.

In Naselle, (near Naselle Lutheran Church) is the recently purchased home of the Travis Pakenen family. This historic home was built in 1918 by Casper Korpela, for Otto and Milga Wirkkala. It remained the same for many years, but in 1947 the kitchen was remodeled and a bathroom added. The living room was enlarged, an entryway added, and fireplace built. The following residents, the Wirkkala's daughter, Anna, with husband Bill added a garage and sauna in 1962, plus a family room in 1975. Anna added, "I am really pleased to have Travis, Michelle and the boys in the house. It makes me happy in that Travis' grandparents and great grandparents were very special people in my life. The house has been in the family always."

Tickets with maps are $5 each, and are available at Finn Ware in Astoria; Radio Shack in Long Beach, Hair Villa in Naselle; at the Concert or any of the homes.

The Naselle Lutheran Church will host a Soup Supper from 4 -6 p.m.

Donations will go to the host, Priscilla Circle.

Other news from the West end:

“Come Home For The Holidays” and enjoy weekend entertainment and shopping through the week before Santa arrives at Redmen Hall in Skamokawa. The Hall will be open December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18 from noon to 4p.m. for your shopping pleasure and holiday enjoyment. For more information please contact Diane Stockhouse at 849-4145.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at Rosburg Hall will enjoy ham and scalloped potatoes, veggies, hot rolls and dessert on the 7th; and on the 14th the menu includes soups, bread and dessert.

CAP provides senior lunches at the same location on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check out both venues and meet with your friends and neighbors for a great meal.

Happy Birthday wishes to the following: Sulema Zerr, Tricia Bennett, Lori Rose, Jack Strange, Brian Stube, Lois Bighill, Wesley Oatfield, Kellyn Pakanen, Karen Bertroch, Tim Lewis, Mike Swanson, Lisa Bighill, Robert Footh, Nancy McGuire, Jeremy Ray, Larry Dunn, Todd Blanchard and John Footh.

A special Happy 75th Birthday to a good friend, Dale Dutcher of Rosburg. Wishing you a wonderful day and many more.

Anniversaries are being celebrated by the following couples this week: Kevin and Laura Leaf, Tom and April Zimmerman, Pete and Phyllis Carlson, Lee and Cynthia Clark, Bob and Cheryl Caetano, and Mickey and Ann Hurst. Enjoy your special celebrations.

We had a nice visit with my cousin Claudette Kreuzenstein, from Alaska before she headed to California with her parents, David and Claudine Hammonds to visit with our aunts and an uncle in Gustine, California. This is a wonderful time of year for a mini reunion, especially since it has been a few years since the siblings were together.

Speaking of reunions, we enjoyed a four day visit with most of our kids and grandkids in Redmond, Ore. and had a wonderful time, good food, and lots of visiting. We spent one afternoon at a snow park watching the kids slide (and crash) down the slopes.

Our son has a friend that works at the Deschutes Brewery and he took us on a tour of that facility. Hopefully, they (our son and his wife, and our daughter and her husband) took lots of notes and will someday be as well known, by the name of Smith Rock Brewing. They have been brewing for a while now and have a few local pubs that are interested in serving some of their beers. It is certainly a lot of work but could be worth it, especially in that area.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving as much as we did. Now, on to Christmas. Do you have your shopping done? Neither do I!