Rudolph was left on the front lawn

News from Naselle:

Even though students will be out of school from December 22nd for the Christmas holiday, returning on January 5th, there will be some sports events during that time. On Monday, the 22nd-JV boys and girls basketball at Valley at 4 p.m., Varsity girls basketball at 5:45 p.m. and Varsity boys basketball at 7 p.m., also at that location. Go Comets!

While you're in Naselle, check out some of the holiday coffee drinks and goodies at Mochas & More. Laura is running a few specials every day and is suggesting some interesting stocking stuffers as well. Check it out.

Other news from the west end:

The West End Food Pantry is open every Thursday from 1-5 p.m., and is located in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. If you could use some extra groceries on the table, or know someone else who does, please don't hesitate to check it out. These groceries and other necessities are available to anyone who needs them. Remember, this resource is available for all and if it isn't used it could be taken elsewhere. Don't be shy, we can all use a hand up now and then. The volunteers and the donors are doing this for themselves and others, so take advantage of a very generous community.

I happen to know a few people, especially older folks, who think others need this more than they do, but I say to them: You have given all your life and now it's time to accept a little help in return. If you can't do that, then there is no reason for this resource to be here. It's here for everyone, even if you only need to utilize it once in a while.

The Free Friday Night Movie at the Grays River Valley Center is one for kids that we had planned to show earlier in the year and had technical difficulties in getting it. This is an animated film with a holiday message about two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks who must put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history - and get turkey off the holiday menu for good.

Won't you join us for a fun evening? Concessions are available. Watch the show on our big screen. The movie starts at 7 p.m.

The Grays River Valley Center is getting geared up for their first fundraiser of 2015. On Saturday, January 17 our annual 3 C s Chowdown--Chili, Clam Chowder and Chicken noodle soup will be available for your pleasure; all home made in the commercial kitchen at GRVC. More info in the next column.

I have received information regarding the annual American Legion Crab and Oyster feed. The event will be held earlier in the year this year due to the difficulty in getting crab. The Feed will take place in January, on Saturday, the 31st. More info as I receive it. This is always a sell out event so get tickets early.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch usually meets each week at the Rosburg Hall, but for the last couple of weeks the lunch was canceled. The chief cook and bottle washer, Pat Potter has been under the weather and has even spent a few days in the hospital. I understand that she is home again, so please keep her in your thoughts for a speedy recovery. I'm sure she would appreciate that. Pat does a lot for our seniors in the valley, and I hope she is back on her feet soon.

On Thursdays, a senior meal is also served at the same location and is sponsored by CAP. Lunches are usually served at noon. There will be no lunch served on the 25th due to the Christmas Holiday.

Happy Birthday to the following: Kate Adair, Sonja Engelbretson, Christina Jackson, Brian Macy, Jaycee Headley, Rylee Varila, Amanda Wilson, Marilyn Nikolas, Tyler Trimble, Brandi Tarabochia, Marshall Blanchard, Calvin Zimmerman, Richard Kittinger, Michelle Bighill, Steve Olson, Annette Bowker, Holly Engelson, Byron Standerfer, Rick Laney, Roxy Forbes, Emily Bjornsgard, Tracy Bighill, Keegan McGuire, Lauren Bjornsgard and Tristen Lainey. Wishing each of you a perfect day.

Happy Anniversary to Monte and Mona Givens and to Jeff and Corina Lee. Wishing you many more celebrations together.

We enjoyed our two youngest grandsons, Emmett and Wyatt Cruz last weekend. Emmett is five and Wyatt is three. I had forgotten how curious and rambunctious little boys are. We had lots of fun, roasted hot dogs, made s'mores by the fire pit, hiked and enjoyed getting dirty like little boys do. As an added bonus, Santa apparently had been scouting around prior to the big night and he left Rudolph standing on our lawn. I'm thinking he must have figured out that someone lives here that was especially good this year and he didn't want to lose his way here in case it was foggy. At least, that's my take on it.