Johnson Park offers classes for new year

Happy New Year to everyone. Here’s hoping this year brings only good things to all of you.

News from Naselle:

After a nice long school break, classes are back in session and students are ready for a new year, hopefully. The sports calendar for this week includes Thursday-high school girls basketball with Valley at home at 5:45 p.m .; Friday-high school boys basketball with North Beach at home at 5:45 p.m .; Saturday-high school boys basketball at Montesano at 5:45 p.m. and high school girls basketball with North Beach at home at 5:45 p.m .; Wednesday-middle school boys basketball at North Beach at 5:45 p.m. Go Comets!

The Naselle Comet Booster Club will meet on January 10 for their regular monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. These are public meetings and everyone is encouraged to attend.

The 2012 Booster Club Birthday/Anniversary calendars are available now, and the price is still only $4. They can be purchased at the school from the district office, at Okie’s in Naselle or at the Rosburg Store. These calendars are great for reminding yourself when someone needs to be congratulated on a birthday or anniversary. Get yours now.

Other news from the Westend:

Have you made a trip around the Covered Bridge Road loop lately? There is definitely a new look. The huge old barn that was built by Virginia Wendelin’s grandfather has been taken down for safety reasons. Virginia says the barn was built sometime between 1917 and 1921. It certainly leaves a bare spot, but it has served its purpose well over the years.

Interested in joining the monthly book club group at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park? They will be meeting this Friday at 12:30 p.m. in the library. The group meets on the first Friday of each month at 12:30 p.m.

At this meeting the group will decide which books to read so bring your choices for future scheduling. By making the choices now, we will all have more than enough time to obtain the books chosen. Also the group would appreciate recommendations for good reading, and perhaps some alternates if books are hard to find.

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck has been chosen for the group to read by the February meeting next month.

Everyone is welcome and hope to see you at the meeting.

Are you interested in meeting with folks who enjoy photography, or do you have photography questions or tips? Give Judy Durrah a call and get acquainted with others in the area of like mind. A photography group is in the process of being formed. They will meet at Johnson Park in the Grays River Valley Library on a regular basis, once dates and times have been decided. This group may even give some classes at a later date.

Check out the calendars at both entrances of the Grays River Valley Center for information on what is happening at the center. Enjoy playing pinochle? Meet with the card players group on Monday for a fun afternoon. The library/computer center is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with free DSL and free library cards. The exercise room is open with lots of equipment to use if your new year’s resolution included getting back in shape. Want to play a game of pool? There is a table available in the exercise room.

Want to learn how to make a baby quilt or lap robe? Contact Cindy Lahti for more info on the sewing room.

Yoga classes are taught on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and aerobics on Mondays and Wednesdays. For more information contact Jack Braman. Jack is also involved with the art group that meets on Thursday evenings. There is something going on almost every day of the week.

This center belongs to the community and we look forward to developing more and more involvement with folks who are interested in joining in, volunteering or just enjoying what we have to offer.

The advisory board for Johnson Park meets on the second Wednesday of each month in the library at 12:20 p.m. Bring your ideas and your plans to implement that idea to the board. We will be happy to accommodate you.

If you drive on Loop Road in Grays River, please use caution as the county has closed one lane of traffic just west of Fairview Road. There has been quite a slide and a portion of the roadway has collapsed toward the river, making the road unstable. Please drive safely and use alternative routes if possible. The lane is closed until further notice.

The Grays River Habitat Enhancement District will hold its regular monthly meeting on January 11 at 6 p.m. in the Grays River Grange Hall. Refreshments will be served. These meetings are public and landowners are encouraged to attend. This organization is here to work with the property owners with issues of the river and welcomes your questions and comments.

The Pioneer Community Association will present an Encore Concert at the Pioneer Church in Cathlamet on January 14 at 7:30 p.m. The production will feature local artists Andrew Emlen on the cello, Jeffrey Reynolds on the violin and Ronald Thompson on the piano. Enjoy a wonderful evening of music while benefitting a unique organization.

Tickets can be purchased for $10 at the Bank of the Pacific in Cathlamet or at the door.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at Rosburg Hall will enjoy meat loaf, mashed spuds and gravy, veggies, bread and dessert on the 11th; and on the 18th they will feast on home made stew, hot rolls and dessert.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, senior lunches are also provided at the same location and they are sponsored by CAP. Tasty, nutritious food and good company at both venues.

Birthdays being celebrated this week include Will Wuorinen, Marshall Wirkkala, Eric Peterson, Signa Kilponen, Michelle Condon, Vickie Wirkkala, Brian Cooper, Gary Queener, Harvey Johnson Jr., Micheal Busse, Richard Angstrom, Dan Smalley, Jamie Eastham, Megan Albright, Parker, Hannah and Abaigal Smith, Linda Strong, Paul W. Bjornsgard, Benjamin Lemon, Jody Baker, Minna Webster, Ryan Torppa, Laureal Smalley, Mason Phippa, Dustin Adair, Howard Nelson, Jon Tienhaara, Lyle Patterson and Jacob Williams. Happy birthday everyone.

Happy anniversary wishes to Evart and Dorothy Smith. Wishing you many more.

My most sincere condolences go out to the family of Larry Badger of Grays River, who passed away this past weekend.

On behalf of my uncle, David Hammonds and the rest of our family, I would like to thank everyone for their kind words and thoughts following the passing of my aunt, Claudine Hammonds. Times like this make you appreciate even more the wonderful community we live in.