Valley Center looking for more hands

News from Naselle

Sports calendar for the Naselle Comet teams for the coming week: Monday-fast pitch and baseball at Taholah at 4 p.m .; Wednesday-middle school track at Ocosta at 3:30 p.m .; Thursday-track at North Beach at 3:30 p.m. Go Comets!!

There will be a meeting for those interested in the Running Start Program on Tuesday, 6 p.m. This meeting will provide information about the program.

Here’s a reminder for parents and guardians of toddlers through 3rd grade kiddos to bring them to the Naselle High School football field on April 19 at 11 a.m. for the annual ESA Alpha Theta Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Bunny has promised to make an appearance to visit with the kids and there will be lots of prizes. Bring your own basket to gather your eggs. This event will take place – rain or shine, but we are hoping for some sunshine.

One hundred and twenty years ago, a congregation came together and became the Naselle Lutheran Church (located at 308 Old Knappton Rd). Come and celebrate with them at the annual Salad Luncheon on April 26th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Peruse the crafts, plants, quilts, sale of baked goods and enjoy the delicious salad luncheon for a $7 donation. This event supports the Church Mission Work and Thrivent matches funds to $600.

There will be another blood drive held at the Valley Bible Church on April 28 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Take a few minutes and think about how many people you could help just by donating once. If it were your loved one, you would certainly do what was necessary to help them. Think about others in the same situation, and if you can, please give. For more information or to make and appointment to donate please call Susan Burkhalter at 465-2264.

Westend news

The annual Rosburg Community Club Chicken Dinner is this weekend at the Rosburg Hall on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring the whole family and enjoy an old fashioned, home cooked, chicken dinner with all the trimmings, just like Grandma used to make. Don’t forget their yummy salad bar as well. End the meal with this group’s famous home made desserts. Adults-$10, kids 6-12 years-$5, and kids less than 6 years-$2.

By attending this function, you will be supporting the Rosburg Community Club’s efforts in giving back to our community. The proceeds from the dinner will insure that the building will be maintained, scholarships will benefit local kids, and much more. This small group of ladies goes above and beyond in their work to ensure that the hall is available for the many and varied functions that are held there. Have a great meal, and support a good cause. For more information please call 465-2919.

Another event coming soon to the Rosburg Hall is the annual Spring Tea sponsored by the Grays River United Methodist Church’s Friendship Circle which will take place on May 18. More information on this fun afternoon in next week’s column.

Bring the family and join us in the screening room (cafeteria) at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park each week for great recently run movies. The first and fourth Fridays are kid friendly films, so make plans in advance to attend. We have had a really good turnout for these movies. Movies shown on the second and third Fridays are rated PG 13 or higher. Enjoy the movie on our big screen with surround sound and get your popcorn, candy and soda at the adjoining concession window. The show starts at 7 p.m.

The Free Friday Night Movie synopsis for this week: Our superhero must team up with Loki to save the Nine Realms from the Dark Elves led by Malekith, who is out for revenge and intends to plunge the universe into darkness. For more information on the movie, please call 465-2310. The name of the show is posted on the board in the Grays River Valley Library, as our license prevents us from advertising the title and other information in public media.

Are you a sponsor of the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park? Would you like to take advantage of having a place for your family to enjoy access to some great exercise equipment, play a game of pool, shoot a few hoops in the gym, or browse the walls of paperback books whenever you feel like it? As a sponsor, you will have 24/7 access to these areas.

To purchase a yearly sponsorship for your family (immediate family), it is only $65 and for an individual it is $45, through the end of April. On May 1, the price will be $89 for the family and $59 for an individual. Sponsorships and donations are our source of revenue to keep the building open, since we receive no revenue from taxes or the county. We apologize for having to raise the rates but with heating and electricity costs escalating, we had no choice. We also will ask that anyone using the facilities, that is not a sponsor to please pay $5 for daily use.

The Grays River Valley Library and Community Computer Center is becoming a popular spot to spend time, check out books, use a computer with no waiting, or sit in a comfy chair and just read a book. Hours are: Monday and Wednesday noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday 3-7 p.m. and Thursday 1-5 p.m.

If you are looking for a place to hold a meeting, have a baby shower, a bridal shower, or just a big family dinner, we can help. If you need catering done for that event, we can do that too, in our commercial kitchen. For more information on availability please contact our events coordinator, Judy Durrah at 465-2331.

We would like to expand our volunteer list, so if you are interested in helping out, let us know and we can find a spot for you. The Johnson Park Advisory Board meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. in the activity room. Our meetings are open to the public and we would love to have your input, ideas, etc. Just remember, if it’s your idea, be prepared to step up and handle the event the way you think it should be done. The park and center belong to the entire community and we hope to expand our list of activities with something for everyone, but we need a few more hands and minds. We look forward to hearing from you. Questions? Please call Steve Ramsay at 465-2731 or 465-2310.

Three positions are available on the Johnson Park Advisory Board (nominations are approved and appointed by the Wahkiakum County commissioners) following the resignations of three members of the board. If you are interested in sitting on the board, contact Marsha Lafarge in the commissioner’s office.

I would like to thank the three former board members, Lilah Lincoln, Randy Collver and Penny Gregory for their help in building what has become a true community center for everyone in our area. It has been a long road, but we are getting there and we couldn’t have done it without the dedication and volunteerism of a few good folks like these three.

Lilah will be spending time taking care of her chickens, goats, ducks and other animals and working full time, but I’m sure she will be around if an extra hand is needed for a fundraising event for the center. Thank you, Lilah.

Randy Collver is still a full time volunteer as our resident retired librarians, along with his wife, Ramona, he just won’t be sitting on the advisory board. He will be concentrating on writing grants for the park and the center, a huge job in itself. Thank you, Randy.

With the resignation of our treasurer (and everything else person), Penny Gregory, we lost the go-to person for all of us, the one who was there when someone needed to be (no matter what time it was), and was pretty much indispensable as far as we were all concerned. Penny needed to get her priorities in order for herself and her family, and she was ready for a break after all this time. She will be missed sorely, and I’m sure I speak for the rest of the board in thanking her for everything she has helped us accomplish so far, with putting so much time and effort into the kitchen, the grounds, the library, the floors, the duties of her office, the everyday issues and for being such a good friend to all of us and the community. For now, she will be working in her garden every chance she gets and probably sitting in a comfy chair reading a good book and enjoying every word.

We look forward to working with her again, seeing her around the center and when she’s ready as a part time volunteer again. Thank you, Penny.

These three people have been very instrumental in getting the center up and running, and have given so much of themselves, but they haven’t stopped working with those of us left on the board. The board is strong and will continue doing all that is necessary to keep the center and the park running as smoothly as possible. We appreciate you.

The Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park will host their annual Plant/Bake sale and Soup Luncheon on May 17th. Mark your calendars.

Also, on May 17th-the annual Great White Tail Run will take place.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets at the Rosburg Hall each week for a home cooked meal prepared and served by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew. This week you can wish her a Happy Birthday as well. Thanks Pat for all you do for our friends and neighbors.

On Thursdays, senior lunches are also served at the Rosburg Hall and are sponsored by CAP. These two wonderful venues give folks a chance to enjoy a nutritious meal and a little social time. Check them out.

Happy Birthday to the following: Katie McIntee, Keith Reitz, Vicki Wirkkala, Nicole Tarabochis, Jimmy Cooper, Kevin Busse, Melissa White, Justin Queral, Pam Calvert Pat Potter, Vicki Olmstead, Jessica Heriot, Baird Lehman, Shane Gilbert, Lori Scott, Walt Wirkkala, Kathy Jackson, Bill Bocker and Jennifer Mussick. Wishing you the best day ever.

Happy Anniversary to Don and Marlene Wiitala and Lance and Blair Gray. Wishing you many more celebrations together.