Christmas is coming; best wishes to all

It’s nearly Christmas and Mother Nature is doing her best to give us a white one. We have seen a little of everything in the last few days, from sunshine to hail to snow and as usual, lots of rain with some wind thrown in. Now the weatherman is calling for more low elevation snow, KM Mountain has already claimed a few fender benders, I’m told.

Here’s hoping you are all ready for the big guy in the red suit to make his visit to your house. It looks like we will welcome some of our kids for Christmas Eve dinner for the first time since our house fire. I’m looking forward to it even though I hate to cook. It will be nice to have a tree decorated this year as well. We have a lot to be thankful for in 2012 and we look forward to a good 2013.

News from Naselle:

Naselle students are out of classes for the Christmas break and will return to school on January 2, 2013.

This Friday, the Comet basketball teams host Raymond. The junior varsity boys will play at 4:30 p.m. followed by the girls varsity at six and boys varsity at 7:30 p.m. Go Comets!

Have you driven into Naselle at night lately? The Christmas lights and decorations are really festive this year. Thanks to all you folks who have taken the time to make our little community a pleasure to drive through during this holiday season.

Other news from the Westend:

The Grays River Valley Library at Johnson Park has attracted quite a following for the free Friday Night movies. Attendance at last week’s showing of 42nd Street was no exception. If you are looking for a relaxing evening, showtime is seven p.m. The movie is free and coffee, popcorn, candy, pop and water are available for sale. Call 465-2310 for information on the next movie.

There is something for just about everyone going on every week at the Grays River Valley Center. Pinochle players meet Mondays, aerobics class meets Mondays and Wednesdays, yoga meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets Thursdays, open sewing (anything you want to sew) meets Tuesdays. The library and computer center is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from one to five p.m. Evening hours will be available beginning in January. Purchase a sponsorship for only $65 (family) or $45 (individual) per year.

Stay tuned to this column for some upcoming fundraisers at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. The Chili, Chowder and Chicken Soup Supper is scheduled for January 20 from 1-4 p.m. Donations will be gratefully appreciated.

Tickets will go on sale after the first of the year for a March spaghetti dinner at the Grays River Valley Center. We will have a very special guest chef from Tacoma for the event.

Senior lunches are served three days a week at the Rosburg Hall. The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets at noon to enjoy a meal prepared and served by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, meals are sponsored by CAP. This is a wonderful venue for seniors to get out for a nutritious meal with friends and neighbors.

Happy Birthday to the following: Kaycee Headley, Rylee Varila, Amanda Wilson, Marilyn Nikolas, Brandi Van Dusen, Tyler Trimble, Brandi Tarabochia, Marshall Blanchard, Calvin Zimmerman, Richard Kittinger, Michelle Bighill, Steve Olson, Annette Bowker, Holly Engelson, Rick Laney, Roxy Forbes, Byron Standerfer, Emily Bjornsgard, Tracy Bighill, Keegan McGuire, Lauren Bjornsgard, Carol Alves, Brittany Smith, Bert Haven, Karen Nelson and Garrick Bennett. Here’s hoping you all enjoy a perfect day.

Happy Anniversary wishes go to Jeff and Corina Lee and to Jack and Renee Smith. Wishing you many more.

Last week my husband and I put out a challenge for everyone to make a donation to the fund set up at the Bank of the Pacific for Mike Phelps, a stroke survivor who has suffered some of the same disabilities that my husband did with his stroke. Hopefully, many of you individuals, businesses, and groups saw it in your hearts to help out this local family. I had the pleasure of meeting Mike and his wife last week in Vancouver after finding out that he had been sent to the same rehabilitation unit that my husband was in. It was wonderful to see how hard he is working to get his health back and to know that he is getting the best care possible in that facility. The therapists are miracle workers in my mind, but the patient has to be willing to work, and I see Mike doing that.

Merry Christmas to all the readers from our house to yours. Have a wonderful, fun-filled and safe holiday.