New photography group being formed

We had a wonderful surprise visit from our daughter and son-in-law when they showed up on Saturday. They decided to make the trip to pick up some firewood and deliver a sample of some of their latest brewed beer. We certainly enjoyed the visit and the nice weather to boot.

News from Naselle:

If you don’t have one already, the Comet Booster Club birthday/anniversary calendars are available now. They can be purchased at the school in the district office, at Okie’s in Naselle and at the Rosburg Store for $4. A great way to keep track of birthdays and anniversaries.

The Johnson Park Advisory Board is in the process of revising their mission statement and beginning a concerted effort to write some grants to benefit your community center. We need several upgrades to areas in the building and are hoping to get those upgrades implemented in the near future. Though the building is being utilized by many and in use almost every day, there are many more plans in the works. If you would like to become involved in our huge undertaking, please call 465-2960 or 465-2980 or 465-2775, The board meets on the second Wednesday of each month at noon in the Grays River Valley Library.

Johnson Park and the Grays River Valley Center belong to the community and we exist on donations and volunteers. The center is not subsidized by tax dollars. If you are interested in volunteering or making a tax deductible donation, please contact Cindy Lahti.

Elementary students of the month for December displaying the character trait of honesty:

Grace Heckes (5th), Vince Fauver (5th), Eathan Lindstrom (4th), Haley Depoe (4th), Ryley Thorsen (2nd), Grace Hunt (2nd), Warren Wirkkala (3rd), Abbey Knopski (3rd), Owen Matthews (1st), Isabella Colombo (1st), Allen Haataja (K) and Issac Hinkle (K). Congratulations to all of these students.

Sports calendar for the coming week includes: today (Thursday)-JV boys and girls basketball at Ilwaco at 5:30 p.m .; Friday-high school girls basketball with South Bend at home at 5:45 p.m .; Saturday-high school boys basketball with South Bend in Naselle at 5:45 p.m .; Tuesday-high school boys basketball in Naselle with Northwest Christian at 5:45 p.m., middle school boys basketball with South Bend at 5:45 p.m .; Wednesday-middle school boys basketball at Valley at 5:45 p.m. Go Comets!

The regular monthly meeting of the Naselle-Grays River School Board will be held on Tuesday, at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to these open meetings.

Other news from the Westend:

The Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park is the location for a new camera/photography group being formed in our community. The group will meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. Bring your camera and your photos to share your tips and techniques with other like minded folks. For more info contact Judy Durrah.

Check the calendars at both entrances of the GRVC for ongoing events, or call the events coordinator, Judy Durrah for more information. The center is also available for rent for meetings and family gatherings.

Tickets are now available for the annual Valentine’s Diamond Dinner which will be held on February 11 at the Skamokawa Grange Hall. This is always a fun evening with delicious food, good music and great company, as well as awesome raffle prizes. Hope to see you there.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the encore concert which had been scheduled for this coming Saturday at the Pioneer Church has been cancelled. If you have purchased tickets to this event from the Bank of the Pacific, you can turn them in for a refund.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at Rosburg Hall will enjoy a nice winter meal of stew, hot rolls and dessert on the 18th and a tater tot casserole with veggies and dessert on the 25th. These lunches are provided by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew for the pleasure of many of the local seniors. Thank you so much for all your efforts.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays the Rosburg Senior Community Lunches are served at the same location and are sponsored by CAP. Menus for the coming week include: Thursday, the 12th-split pea with ham, spinach salad and peach/apricot crisp; Tuesday, the 17th-beef stew, spinach salad, mango chunks and bread pudding; Thursday, the 19th-chicken Romesco, scalloped potatoes, Swiss chard and carrot cake.

Birthdays being celebrated this week include Aaron Jones, Alma Wirkkala, Joan Johnson, Annie Herrold, Dylan Wirkkala, Cody Wirkkala, Evan Hendrickson, Ed Rafferty, Haleigh See, Dakota Phillips, Noreen Fitts, Susan Amala, David Gradt, Dennis Larson, Lilly Shelter, Jaymi Whalen, Katelend Busse, David Helvey, Linda Gollersrud, Myrtle Rose, Kyle Saari, Crystal Gardner and Greg Nelson. Happy Birthday everyone.

Happy Anniversary to Bill and Teresa Wood, Phillip and Nancy Wirkkala and Stanley and Helen Rangila. Wishing you many more celebrations.