Finn-Am committee to meet August 30

Only a little more than a week before the kids have to hit the books with the start of the new school year. The teachers are already doing some pre classroom work before the desks are filled with eager students and practice for football and volleyball has begun. With such a nice warm and dry summer there may be some apprehension for staying indoors for classes. Such is life and I hope everyone has a safe and successful school year. We live in such a close knit community, and have an award winning system and team teaching our kids so I’m willing to bet, it will be another great year.

News from Naselle:

On August 15 the Finnish American Historical Society of the West, from Portland, held their annual FinNic at the Lindgren Cabin at Cullaby Lake. Co-sponsored by the Columbia Pacific Chapter Finlandia Foundation, a potluck of delicious Finnish dishes was served along with hamburgers and hot dogs to members of those groups as well as to members of the Finnish American Folk Festival and Finnish Brotherhood. The highlight of this event is the presentation of the Sauna Bucket Award to an individual or group who promotes Finnish culture. This award originated to honor the FAFF of Naselle for hosting FinnFest USA in 2006. This year's recipient is May Saari Adair for her years of work on genealogy and presentations given at our local festivals and the national FFUSAs as well as at other venues. Special guests were members of May's family. This is the fourth time that a person or group from Naselle has been so honored. Anita Raistakka and Wilho Saari are past honorees.

On August 30 the Finnish American Folk Festival Committee will meet at 4 p.m. at the Naselle Lutheran Church to plan for the 2016 festival. Even though it may seem far away, there is much work to do and anyone interested in helping is encouraged to attend. If you have a previous commitment but have suggestions for a theme, please contact Mike Swanson.

The festival will be held July 29-31, 2016 at the Naselle schools.

Another Appelo Archives Annual Swap Meet will take place Friday, September 4 and Saturday, September 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you’re interested in reserving a table/table space, please contact Appelo Center at 360-484-7103 or via email info@appeloarchives.org

Other News from the west end:

This is the big weekend for our annual Wahkiakum County Fair. Let’s support our local folks and all the volunteers who put time and energy into making this event a special one each year. I will have the pleasure of bringing two of my granddaughters to our fair this year. They are from California, and will be looking for cooler than 109 degree temperatures and some country fun.

Get your locally grown produce at the Grays River Grange Weekly Market every Tuesday from 2-6 p.m. in the Grays River Grange #124 building on SR 4 in Grays River. I personally can vouch for the freshness and deliciousness of the strawberries, chard, potatoes and beets fresh from the farm. You can also enjoy and purchase fresh baked cookies and bread made by Darbury Novoselic. Check them out, you won’t be disappointed.

Next week’s market will include a special feature for your pleasure. “Butterfly Launches From Spar Pole.” Poetry and acoustic guitar featuring Krist Novoselic and Robert Michael Pyle on Tuesday, the 25th at 4 p.m. Ray Prestegard will also be performing. Bring along your own tote bag for your purchases. Sounds like fun.

This week’s Free Friday Night Movie in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park was supposed to be shown last week but due to a glitch we will show it this week. It is a 2015 release and is rated R. Synopsis: A disgraced member of the military police who investigates a series of nasty child murders during the Stalin-era Soviet Union. The show starts at 7 p.m. Concessions are available with popcorn, pop and candy.

Tickets are now available for the prime rib dinner in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park to be held on Saturday, September 12. Tickets are $20 each and dinner will be served in the cafeteria from 5-7 p.m. Only 50 tickets are available so get yours now.

Proceeds from this event will be used for operating costs for the center and park. For more information please call 465-2960.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets every week in the Rosburg Hall for a hot home cooked meal prepared and served by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew. Pat has been doing this service for several years and I for one really appreciate all her efforts.

On Thursdays senior lunches are also served at the same location and are sponsored by CAP. Meals at both venues are served at noon.

Happy Birthday to Eric Ervest, Travis Pakenen, Stacey Strange, Randy Tienhaara, Tasha Ford, Cheryl Raistakka, Brandon Rose, Jacob Pakenen, Jason Raistakka, Marilyn Sherk, Lynn Clifford, May Adair, Taryn Anderson, Julie Howell, Gabriel See, Ann Hurst, Jeff Johnson, Eddie Wirkkala and Makenzie Matthews. Wishing all of you a perfect day.

Happy Anniversary withes go out to Hans and Jenelle Varila, Sean and Jammie Eastham, Regan and Sara Wirkkala, Mr. and Mrs. Randy Tienhaara, David and Kristi Leeland, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bocker, Byron and Kathy Saari, John and Whitney Hess, David and Debbie Klinger, John and Judy Indermark, Dewey and Shannon Adair, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Blake, Robert and Dawn Footh, Here’s to many more celebrations together.

This coming weekend will be filled with the laughter of two of our granddaughters, Emma and Evie along with our daughter, Kendra from California. We haven’t seen them for nearly two years so I’m sure they are quite the “young ladies” now. Family time is so special, and our niece is still here as well. Looking forward to a break in routine days and some hugs and loving from a small part of our large family. Have a great week everyone.