Head to the National Night Out August 7

I guess it’s time to get back to work and the real world after an absolutely wonderful week with family and folks we consider to be a part of our family. We had the pleasure of housing all six of our kids and their spouses or significant other, all of our grandchildren and a great-grandson. Altogether we had about 54 people and 12 dogs in our little tent city. The weather cleared up nicely after the first night of showers and the rest of the time it was beautiful. I hope everyone had even half as nice a holiday as we did. Now it is really quiet, and I admit that I miss the chaos. Family is so special.

My brother is still here from Minnesota but will be leaving this week, and our nephew and niece from Yucca Valley, California are also here for a few more days.

News from Naselle:

The big news from Naselle is the gearing up and preparation for the Finnish American Folk Festival on July 27-29 at the Naselle School grounds in Naselle. “Our Finnish Roots Run Deep” is the theme for the 16th biennial celebration of this traditional festival. On Friday and Saturday, check out the exhibits, lectures, music, dancing and food. Sunday is devoted to winding up the weekend with worship and closing ceremonies.

For more information check them out on the web. finnam@naselle.net.

Other news from the Westend:

The Real Property Rights Advisory Board will meet at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park in Rosburg tonight (Thursday) at 6 p.m. These meetings are open to the public and property owners are encouraged to attend.

Mark your calendar for the Community Picnic/Potluck which will be held at Johnson Park on July 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring the whole family and enjoy an afternoon of old fashioned fun, food and games. Hot dogs will be provided, so please bring a dish or two to share, chairs to sit in and relax, and a happy attitude. The building will be open so you can check out the library and computer center, and see what other activities are available on a regular basis. If you have suggestions or more info please contact Cindy Lahti.

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

The 29th Annual National Night Out will be held on August 7 at the Grays River Valley Center in Johnson Park from 6-8p.m.

National Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office and Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS). Here is an opportunity for you to join communities nationwide in promoting police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie.

The event will be an open house at the Sheriff's Office Substation in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. Free food will be served.

The theme this year is “Volunteering” so come and 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 your community.

For more information, contact VIPS members Ora Loraine Bauer 849-4425 or Kim Sharp 849-4033.

It’s still early yet but you can pick up fair books and purchase Wahkiakum County Fair Passes at the Rosburg Store in Rosburg and the Bank of the Pacific in Naselle here on the west end. The passes are $6 and get you into the fair all three days. “Hay Bales and Pig Tails” is the theme chosen for the 104rd annual fair, and it will run from August 16,17, and 18 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. Bring the family and check out the entertainment, food, 4H activities and livestock shows all three days. More info coming as the date approaches.

You can also check out the fair and its schedules on Facebook and the Wahkiakum County Chamber of Commerce web site.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at Rosburg Hall will enjoy a home made lunch including meatloaf, spuds and gravy, veggies, hot rolls and dessert on the 18th and on the 25th please bring a dish to share for the monthly pot luck. This group meets every Wednesday at noon for good food and wonderful company.

Seniors can also enjoy a nutritious meal on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same location. These meals are sponsored by CAP. This week's menus: Thursday, July 12-Teriyaki chicken, pan fried noodles, Asian cole slaw and peach cobbler; Tuesday, July 17-pork chow mein, brown rice, stir-fry veggies, Mandarin oranges and strawberry shortcake; Thursday, July 19-chicken and dumplings, broccoli spears, spinach salad and apricot bars. Another great opportunity to meet and dine with friends and neighbors.

Happy Birthday to Timothy Bates, Stephanie Wise, Seth Cooper, Maya Zeller, Blake Dunham, Kelsi Nelson, Joel Fitts, Eric Hendrickson, Kenneth Tyyksa, Terry Tarabochia, Doug Larson, Susan Gradt, Lorraine Haataia, Courtney Peters, John W. Wirkkala, Amanda Haataia, Bob Haataia, Bryan Torppa, Lori Gollersrud, Barbara Donlon, Emily Gudmundsen, Fran Noll, Kendra Leeland and Bailey Olson.

Happy Anniversary wishes go out to Pete and Barbara Donlon. Wishing you many more celebrations together.

On a more sober note, I had a call from Jim and Lilah Lincoln of Grays River. It seems that they are missing two roosters and nine hens as well as the cage they were in, last Friday night. If you know anything about what may have happened to them, or where they can be found, they have asked that the animals and the cage be returned to them—no questions asked. At the very least, please return the cage.

It looks like several more days of summer weather, so I hope all the readers are enjoying these beautiful days.