Appelo to be honored Sunday

Cold nights, gorgeous days with plenty of sunshine. We could get use to this kind of weather.

News from Naselle:

Congratulations to Dustin Eaton on being named MVP for this region in football. Also a big high five to the entire team for an awesome season.

The sports schedule for the coming week is as follows: Thursday-high school girls basketball at Wahkiakum at 5:45 p.m .; Friday-high school boys basketball at South Bend at 5:45 p.m .; Saturday-high school girls basketball with South Bend in Naselle at 5:45 p.m .; Monday-middle school girls basketball with Ocosta in Naselle at 5:45 p.m .; Wednesday-high school girls basketball at Northwest Christian at 5:45 p.m. Go Comet teams!

The Comet Booster Club will meet on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and the Naselle School Board meeting will also take place on that date at 6:30 p.m.

Bring the whole family and enjoy the annual Christmas Program on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Sounds like a great way to begin the holiday celebrations.

Other news from the Westend:

It’s that time of year when we look around and count our blessings, a little more than usual. Some of us are pretty lucky and look for a way to help our neighbors who can use a little help, especially during this season of giving. Here is a great opportunity, if you are looking for one. The Sugar & Spice 4-H Club is sponsoring a Christmas Food Drive. The club will donate all the food collected to the Wahkiakum Food Bank. Drop boxes for collecting the food items are located at the Grays River Cafe and the Rosburg Store. This group of kids is always involved in giving back to the community, so let’s thank them by giving them a hand in filling up those collection boxes, and telling them thank you for being so generous with their time and efforts.

As most of us know, Carlton Appelo has served as a commissioner on the board of Port District #2 since its inception. Through the efforts of Carlton, Bobby Larson and Ture Oman, that district was created and has grown over the years to include Vista Park and Svensen Boat Launch and it continues to work on the Oneida buoy system.

Please join Carlton, the Council of Governments, and his many supporters and friends in celebrating Carlton's years of service to the community on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grays River Grange located on SR 4 West in Grays River.

The Grays River United Methodist Church is hosting a Christmas celebration with music and pageantry on Sunday, December 18th, at 6:00 p.m. A local needy family will benefit from the free-will donation collected during this event. Enjoy refreshments after the entertainment, served by the ladies of the church. Everyone is welcome.

Come one, come all for an evening of music sponsored by the Pioneer Community Association and featuring Greg Parke in a Christmas Concert you are sure to enjoy. The event will take place at the Pioneer Church in Cathlamet on December 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Bank of the Pacific in Cathlamet or at the door for $10.

The Grays River Habitat Enhancement District will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Grays River Grange Hall. These meetings are public and landowners are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served.

The Johnson Park Advisory Board will meet for their regular monthly meeting in the Grays River Valley Library at Johnson Park on Wednesday, at 12:30 p.m.

Progress is being made at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park (old Rosburg School). As I write this column, a portion of the old school building roof is being reconstructed, and will hopefully stop the leaking into the hallways, bathrooms and boiler room areas. Thank you Wahkiakum County commissioners.

Are you interested in sharing your secrets of good photography? Hearing tips on how to take good photos? Willing to share your great photos? Now is your chance to get together with other like minded folks at the Grays River Valley Library. No time or date has been set for this camera group as yet, but if you are interested please call Judy Durrah and she can give you a little more insight. This group could even grow into a class on photography and camera use, if the interest is there.

The Grays River Valley Library and Community Computer Center will soon begin to upgrade the computers that are becoming outdated. One of the library volunteers, Randy Collver has approached a group in the Portland area called Free Geeks, and is looking into getting some upgraded PCs. Also, through a generous monetary donation from a local resident the library will be upgrading their computer to a new Mac mini as well as a second Mac mini for users of the computer center. The Mac computers will be windows compatible.

The Johnson Park Advisory Board has voted to purchase a permit to show movies at Johnson Park. Once the permit is received, the group will set up a scheduled movie night for families to include free popcorn. Once the kitchen is approved, they will also be able to sell hot dogs and pop, etc. The board is interested in hearing from the community about other ideas for your Grays River Valley Center.

I was talking with another resident of the area recently, and we were discussing the name Grays River Valley Center, which was chosen by the Johnson Park Advisory Board for the old Rosburg School building. Someone had apparently made a comment that the name was a bit exclusionary since we also serve the Naselle area. But think about it. Our kids attend the Naselle-Grays River Valley School District. In my opinion, it was the perfect choice, because this building and the grounds are located in the center of the Grays River Valley and it belongs to the entire community and county including Naselle to the west and Cathlamet to the east. Johnson Park and the Grays River Valley Center looks forward to serving everyone.

If you are looking for some ideas for getting out, why not try some of the offerings at Johnson Park. Mondays: card group, aerobics, library and computer center; Tuesday: library, computer center and yoga; Wednesday: aerobics; Thursday: library, computer center, TOPS, yoga and art group; Friday: library and computer center; Saturday: library and computer center. The cafeteria and the activity room are available for rent, for your small or large meetings and family gatherings. The exercise room is filled with exercise equipment for your pleasure and even has a full size pool table. The gym is available for shooting a few hoops with your friends, unless it is booked by the school for practice. Where else can you find so many things to do in one place? Check it out. Calendars are located on the walls at the north and west entrances giving hours for various activities.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at Rosburg Hall will enjoy hot home made soups, rolls and dessert on the 14th. On the 21st, they will hold their annual Christmas Social. Come on by and meet some great friends and eat some delicious meals.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, senior meals are provided by CAP at the same location.

Happy Birthday to the following celebrants this week, David Magnuson, Glen Goddard, Kim Cooper, Benjamin Nikolas, Sara Maki, Debbie Klinger, Rod Ammer, Dean Helvey, Jim Strange, Deeanna McCullough, Rich Bennett, Noah Mattson, Francy Penttila, Rex Shelter, Drew Macy, Hannah Wirkkala, Jim Eastham, Trevin Leeland, Wally Wirkkala, Margaret Slayton, Maija Ross, Nathan Erickson and Carson Lanz Wishing each of you a wonderful day.

Happy Anniversary to Howard and Arlene Nelson and Ed and Rita Rafferty. Wishing you many more celebrations.

Not many more days until the arrival of the man in the red suit, so I hope you are nearly through with your shopping, and that you did most of it locally. I also hear that Santa may be making an appearance at the Grays River Grange Christmas party on Tuesday at the Grays River Grange Hall. This party is open to the community and is always a great time, with good food, good company and lots and lots of music. Don’t miss it.