Busy times at Johnson Park

Where, oh where, is our summer? Rain, rain and more rain. I certainly hope it dries out soon so that the hay makers can get their fields mowed and baled. If the grass grows any higher we will be calling out the sheriff to go into the fields to find the tractors and their drivers. As least that’s how tall it is in our fields.

We have seen elk and deer actually jumping up to see over the grass, to find their way, I assume. It is supposed to be summer now.

News from Naselle:

Don’t forget the second Annual Silent Auction sponsored by The Friends of the Naselle Library from June 14 and ending on June 26 with a community picnic to announce the winners of many nice auction items. There is still time to view and bid on the items which can be seen at the library. If you have any questions contact the Naselle Timberland Library at 360-424-3877.

If you read my column from the Naselle area and have an event that you would like me to include in this column, please give me a call or e-mail the info to me. I will be happy to include it.

The 45th Annual Scandinavian Midsummer Festival will take place in Astoria this weekend. Join the fun at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds in Astoria for one of the longest running Midsummer Festival in our country, on June 22, June 23 and June 24. Learn all you ever wanted to know about the Scandinavian culture and enjoy a great weekend for the whole family with lots to do and see.

Other news from the Westend:

The Johnson Park Advisory Board met last week and were pleased to have Wahkiakum County’s Emergency Management coordinator in attendance with an update on his ideas for preparedness in our neck of the woods. In an effort to be more visible and available to answer questions and concerns, Beau Renfro will be in the Sheriff’s satellite office at the Grays River Valley Center in Johnson Park (old Rosburg School) on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If you would like printed info, he has set up a bulletin board outside the office with informational pamphlets, or you can visit with him on Mondays.

Also on hand at the meeting was Kim Sharp with VIPS to let us know that the 29th Annual Night Out will be held on August 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will be an open house at the Sheriff’s Office Substation at Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. Free food will be served by the VIPS representatives. The theme this year is “volunteering.” This event will give locals a chance to visit with staff from the Sheriff’s Office and VIPS members to learn more about the services available at the substation and opportunities for giving back to our community. For more information contact VIPS members Ora Loraine Bauer 360 849-4425 or Kim Sharp 360 840-4033.

On Saturday, July 21, Johnson Park will host a community potluck/picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (in the print edition and an earlier web posting, The Eagle incorrectly stated the picnic would be June 21). Bring your favorite dish to share (salads, main dish or desserts), and the whole family for an afternoon of fun. Johnson Park will provide barbecued hot dogs. The library and computer center will be open and you are welcome to play a few games including a friendly game of baseball on the field. If you have suggestions or would like to help out please contact Cindy Lahti.

Mary Steller will be there with her donkeys from Donkey Holler as well as EMS representatives and Fire Department representatives. Come on and join us, for a wonderful afternoon of fun, food and getting to know your neighbors.

I have been reminded that the aerobic group that meets at Johnson Park on Mondays and Wednesdays will be on hiatus until later in the summer. For more information please contact Jeanne Braman at 465-2544.

I would like to thank the entire community for your generous donations of wonderful books for the Grays River Valley Library. As of now, we will not be accepting any more books until we finish cataloguing the ones we have on hand. The exercise room is also full to capacity with wonderful machines, so we will not be accepting any more donations for that room either. Again, thank you to everyone who has donated to our wonderful center. Please come and check out all the options available at the Grays River Valley Center. This is your park.

We have also been informed that the bathrooms at Johnson Park will be upgraded to be ADA accessible in the near future. Thank you Wahkiakum County Commissioners, in advance.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at Rosburg Hall will enjoy a potluck lunch on the 27th. Bring your favorite dish to share with some wonderful folks.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, senior lunches are also served at the Rosburg Hall and are sponsored by CAP. Menus for the week include Thursday, the 21st-chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, broccoli Normandy, sliced oranges and carrot cake; Tuesday, the 26th-oven fried chicken, baked beans, potato salad, collard greens and peach crisp; Thursday, the 28th-chicken parmesan, polenta cakes, glazed carrots and strawberry shortcake.

Happy Birthday this week to Peggy Dotson, Sabrina Wirkkala, Lorie Smith, Jennifer Bennet, Jenny Klinger, Andy Mattson, Matt Blaine, Brandice Warra, Paula Braniff, Chelsea Johnson, Tim Trimble, Lillia Lemon, Sophie Scrabek, Doug Miller, Quinn Donlon, Reiko Dziados and John Larson. Wishing each of you a wonderful day.

Happy Anniversary wishes in the coming week to Mike and Carrie Nortrup, Wilho and Kaisa Saari, Wallace and Maria Wirkkala, David and Joyce Rangila, Dan and Marilynn Smalley, Stacy and Rachel Katyryniuk, Keith and Diane Wirkkala, Jeff and Katie Bjornsgard, Joel and Noreen Fitts and Jon and Stephanie Gudmundsen. Wishing you many more celebrations together.

Don’t forget the big sale on Puget Island this weekend. I’m told that there will be a little bit of everything and something for everyone.

I had the pleasure of witnessing some of the horse action at the county fairgrounds last weekend and was amazed at the camaraderie between the horse and rider as the horse was coaxed to do things that were unnatural to them. They were urged to step through tires lying on the ground, jump over bars, walk on a huge rubberized circle, go through a tent, etc. I guess it all comes down to the sense of trust between the animal and the rider. It was really amazing. The fair grounds look great. Thank you to all who have volunteered and have made it happen for our community and for the events that are taking place there on a regular basis.