Chinese New Year event great success

Spring is definitely in the air. The daffodils are in massive bloom, trees are beginning to bud out, eagles are practically running into each other as they fly over the Grays River or land in the trees fishing for the smelt, and so, too, the sea gulls near Burkhalter’s fields in Rosburg. Baby calves are bouncing around in the pastures all along the highway. New life everywhere. I love Spring.

News from Naselle:

Students will be out of school on Wednesday, March 2 through Friday, March 4 for the mid-winter break.

On a high note, the Naselle Comet Boys basketball team will be headed to state champion competition. Great seasons for both the boys and girls. You make us all proud. Go Comets!

ESA Alpha Theta will hold their annual free dinner for all local senior citizens on Sunday February 28 at 12:30 p.m. at the Assembly of God social room.

If you are interested in the upcoming Finnish American Folk Festival and want to have a few more facts, please join their meeting on Sunday, the 28th at 4 p.m.

Westend news:

Last Saturday evening the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park was abuzz with excitement, beautiful color, talent, delicious food and fun, in celebration of Chinese New Year, Year of the Monkey.

I can tell you that there were many, many hungry folks that enjoyed the traditional Chinese dinner. I know this because Penny Gregory and I were the dish washers. The food was delicious and the volunteers in the kitchen were super.

There was something for everyone throughout the evening including the silent auctions, art sale, crafts and a picture booth. The halls were crowded with families, enjoying the moment and visiting with friends and neighbors.

At the end of the evening, it was time for the main attraction and everyone gathered in the gymnasium to watch the lion dance and a demonstration of martial arts. This was the most heartwarming moment in all the time I have been involved in the Johnson Park venture. The gym was full of people from infants to elders, the bleachers were pulled out to seat many, with floor seating as well, in order to view the entertainment. The sounds of laughter, excitement, anticipation and for a few apprehension as the lion dancers brought the lions to life, bringing luck to the new year and to those participating in the celebration. This is what I would love to see on a regular basis in the Grays River Valley Center. This has been the dream of many, to make this building a center point of activity for everyone to use. Thank you to the Naselle Chinese Immersion Program and its volunteers, the folks who bought tickets to the event and participated in all the activities, and to the Seattle based lion dancers and martial artists for giving the community a taste of what is possible in an old building with a little help from the community.

The next big event for the Grays River Valley Center will again involve the local folks. Our 3rd annual Community In-door Super Sale will be held on March 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There are more than 50 spaces available for rent. Gather up your antiques, collectibles, crafts, tools, housewares, new, used and repurposed items, rent a space and make someone else happy with that special find. For more information on rental space please call Donna at 465-2273 or Cheryl at 465-2740. You can also contact Donna at dahardey@wwest.net.

The Grays River Methodist Church will provide a bake sale and the Grays River Valley Center will provide food and beverages for sale in the cafeteria during the sale hours.

The Free Friday Night Movie in the Grays River Valley Center’s screening room for this week is a comedy rated PG-13 released in 2015. It is the story of a retired successful business owner and widower who lands an internship at a fashion website run by a young, career-driven woman.

Won’t you join us for a fun show and relaxing evening with concessions available as well. The show begins at 7 p.m.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets in the Rosburg Hall each week for a home cooked meal prepared and served by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew.

On Thursdays a senior lunch is also available at the same location and is sponsored by CAP. The meals are served at noon.

Happy Birthday to Kelsi Bennett, Stephanie Forbes, Hayden Gudmundsen, Maria Rogers, Jerem Forbes, Mike Matthews, and Michael Gilbert.