Martha Circle sale will be held on Saturday

Looks like another wet week ahead, but they say that “April showers bring May flowers.” I actually think they would probably bloom anyway in our damp climate, but who knows.

News from Naselle:

Sports calendar for the Naselle Comet teams this week: Thursday, the 24th-track at South Bend at 3:30 p.m. and baseball at Northwest Christian at 4 p.m .; Monday, the 28th-fast pitch and baseball with North Beach in Naselle at 4 p.m .; Wednesday, the 30th-middle school track in Naselle at 3:30 p.m. Go Comets!!

The Naselle Lutheran Church (located at 308 Old Knappton Rd) will hold their annual Salad Luncheon this weekend on Saturday, April 26th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Delicious salads are available for a suggested $7 donation. Traditional bake goods will be on sale provided by the Lutheran bakers including Finnish pulla, prune tarts and delicious breads. Tomato plants provided by Alfred Simukka, quilts and other crafts will be offered for sale by church members. This event supports the Church Mission Work and Thrivent matches funds to $600. For more information, please call 484-7176.

Join in on the blood drive being held at the Valley Bible Church on Monday, April 28th from 1 to 6 p.m. The need is always there for blood donors, so won’t you take a few minutes of your time and donate to this life giving effort. Someday you might be the one asking for help. For more information or to make an appointment to donate please call Susan Burkhalter at 465-2264.

The annual Martha Circle Trash n’ Treasure sale will take place on Saturday, May 3rd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Congregational Church in Naselle located at 14 Parpala Road. Browse among the quilts, crafts, baked goods and the many available treasures on sale at the event. Lunch will include hot dogs and potato salad and will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Seeds and plant starts are available now at the Deep River Camp Store on SR 4 West near Salme Hill. April through October store hours are10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more info please call 360 783-2638.

Westend News

This Saturday, there will be a Celebration of the Life of a very special lady, Thea Pyle, with an Open House at the home of Bob and Thea located at 369 Loop Road in Grays River. Everyone is invited to stop by between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to share favorite stories, to mingle, laugh, cry and to remember her and her love for people, nature, her family her community and life itself.

Visitors are asked to park at Ahlberg Park and either walk up the hill to the house or catch the shuttle which will run all day. For the elderly or disabled, you can drive in to the home to drop them off. Food and drink will be provided by the family so Bob is requesting that folks bring their best stories, photos, if you have them and your love for this very special lady to share with everyone.

Don’t forget the free Friday night movies each week at the Grays River Valley Center. This week the feature is a family friendly 1960 version of a classic story about a family who survive a shipwreck during a storm by rafting themselves to a deserted South Pacific Island, where they build a tree house and make do with their new environment, which includes fending off invading pirates.

Bring the kids and enjoy an entertaining evening out with concessions available including popcorn, candy and sodas for a reasonable price. The movie starts at 7 p.m.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park, this is your last week to get in on the lower rate. Sponsorships help to fund our everyday operating expenses as we receive no money from taxes or the county. The current price for a yearly sponsorship is $45 for a single and $65 for a family (immediate family). On May 1st the price increases to $59 for a single and $89 for a family. The requested donation for daily use if you are not a sponsor, is $5 per day.

A sponsorship entitles you to 24/7 access to all the common areas in the building including the activity center, exercise room, and the gym with a combination to the locks.

For more information, please call 465-2310.

I have some updated information on the annual Spring Tea and Luncheon, sponsored by the Grays River United Methodist Church’s Friendship Circle which will be held on May 18th at the Rosburg Hall. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for a suggested donation of $8, and children under 12, $5.

This year’s theme is “As Time Goes By” and will include the usual delicious menu, tea, a fashion show featuring stories and memorabilia of times gone by, prizes and maybe even a surprise or two. An added note, the fashions will be on loan from the Appelo Archives Center and from the collections of local citizens.

Prior to the luncheon the attendees are invited to browse through the exhibited items on display, and the raffle prizes. Lunch will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m., followed by the “pick your own raffle prize” from the many available. Tickets are only $1 each. There will also be a silent auction included this year for a one night’s stay at the newly opened Dahlia House B&B worth $150, a quilted wall hanging, a quilted table runner, a wooden bench as well as tickets to “live theater” events and much more. For more information please call 465-2740 or 484-7749.

The Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park will host their annual Plant/Bake sale and Soup Luncheon on May 17th. Mark your calendars. If you would like to donate plants or baked goods to the event please call Steve Ramsay at 465-2731 or me at 465-2960.

The 30th Annual Great White Tail Run will be held on Saturday, May 17th. Fliers are available on most bulletin boards around the county, and pre registration prior to May 2nd if you want to be guaranteed a shirt. Mail in registration must be received by May 16th. Registration fees are as follows: pre-run $10 without shirt and $20 with shirt, Run day $12 with shirt and $25 with shirt. Add $1 if you plan to bring your dog. For more information please call 465-2275 or 795-3278.

Official dog rules for the run: Socialized dogs only. Dogs should be at least 6 months old with current vaccinations. Dogs must be on a leash at all times and stay on designated course. Female dogs in season are not permitted.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets at the Rosburg Hall each week for a delicious meal prepared and served by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew. Menus for the coming week include: April 30th-goulash, veggies, hot bread and dessert; May 7th-old fashioned turkey dinner with all the trimmings, hot rolls and dessert. Happy Spring everyone!

Senior lunches are also served on Thursdays at the above location and are sponsored by CAP. Lunches are served at noon for both venues.

Happy Birthday to the following: Keely McGuire, Joseph Strange, Nina Berg, Devin Roberts, Ashlee Gilbert, Taylor Gilbert, Shawn Rogers, Haley Footh, Robert Eaton, Gerry Clifford, Robert Maki, Gene Dotson, Rheanne Wirkkala, Lisa Haataia, Renee Smith, Tari Zimmerman, Chuck Torppa, Brittany Heaton, Lori Dearmore, Bonnie Busse, Bonnie Linquist, Faith Penttila, Mark Tienhaara, Mayce McCullough, Bob Liabraaten, Sara Wirkkala, Ramona Smith, Amanda Sprotti, Doug Nikolas, Matthew Wood and Alicia Wood. Wishing you a wonderful day.

Happy Anniversary to; Aaron and Toni Smith, Dan and Tari Zimmerman, Kaycee and Spencer Headley and Rod and Cecile Smith. Here’s to many more celebrations together.

I want to send an extra special Happy Birthday to my good friend and neighbor, Beverley Wallace. Here’s to you, lovely lady. I hope you have a perfectly wonderful day, lots of sunshine in your life, a beautiful garden and the love of your family and friends forever. Happy Birthday.

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to stand in a downpour with a pretty dedicated bunch of EMS and Fire volunteers from the Grays River Fire Hall. The new training officer, Tom Hammonds, is trying to get a little more training in for the team members and they had planned to stage a two car accident with three victims, at which time the crew would use all the equipment available to extricate them. As it turned out, not many were able to attend, so those that were there had the opportunity to practice with the Jaws of Life and other life saving items in a pretty miserable, rainy situation. We are so fortunate to have dedicated volunteers who give so unselfishly of their time in order to make our lives safer. They plan another event similar to this one on May 10 with a barbecue to follow, at the new fire hall in Grays River.