Cooking classes offered at GRVC

I’m writing this week’s column at the kitchen table of my son and daughter-in-law in “sunny California.” Believe me, if I didn’t have family and friends here, I wouldn’t be either. So many people on top of each other, so much traffic and construction everywhere. That said, I am having a wonderful visit with everyone.

It has been a very long time since I visited the place we raised our children. I am making a point of seeing how things have changed and those things that have remained the same since we left nearly 17 years ago. Kind of bittersweet but in a “healing” way. This was a good trip for me to make at this time, and today marks the 3-month anniversary of Del’s passing.

It will be so good to come home though. Grays River is home, and always will be.

News from Naselle:

Sports calendar for the Naselle Comet teams this week: Thursday, the 15th-high school volleyball with South Bend in Naselle at 5 p.m .; Friday, the 16th-high school football with Tacoma Baptist in Naselle at 7 p.m .; Saturday, the 17th-high school volleyball tournament at North Beach at 9 a.m., and cross country tournament at Camp Rilea at 9:15 a.m .; Monday, the 19th-middle school volleyball at Ocosta at 5:45 p.m .; Tuesday, the 20th-cross country at Onalaska at 3:30 p.m .; Wednesday, the 21st-middle school volleyball with Raymond in Naselle at 5:45 p.m.

The Naselle School Board will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, the 29th at 6:30 p.m. This is a public meeting and the community is encouraged to attend,

Other news from the Westend:

Don’t forget to check out the Farmer’s Market at the Grays River Grange on Tuesdays. Delicious local produce for reasonable prices, and you are shopping local. Open from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

This week’s Free Saturday Night movie will be a 2016 release and is rated R. When Doris Miller meets John Fremont, the new art director for the company she is employed by, She falls hard for the younger guy and pursues him by showing up at places he frequents {which is totally out of character), endearing herself to his friends thereby causing problems with her longtime friends and family. But despite the objections, she follows her heart for the first time.

Concessions are available before and during the intermission of the movie. The show starts at 7:00 p.m.

Our West End Food Pantry is located in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park and is open every Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and if you are interested in helping out they are in need of tax deductible cash donations, cereal, peanut butter, canned meat or fish, spaghetti and sauce, top ramen, macaroni and cheese, soups, canned milk, canned fruit and juice, cooking oils, canned veggies, personal hygiene items, pet food and cleaning supplies, etc. And during this time of year, any extra produce from your garden or orchard is also appreciated.

Our West End Food Pantry’s 2nd annual Lasagna Feed will take place on Saturday, September 24. You can purchase tickets at the food bank on Thursdays during the open hours or by contacting Shonda Ware or Suzie Whalen. The meal will include lasagna, salad, bread and dessert for a donation of $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. The proceeds from this event will benefit the food bank.

Are you interested in learning new cooking skills? Check out our upcoming cooking classes -- learn new tips and network with others interested in cooking healthy meals on a budget. The WSU Extension office is hosting a series of four free classes, 1.5 hours in length in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on September 9,16, 23 and 30. I received this information late so there are only three more classes. For more information, please call the extension office at 360 795-3278.

Happy Birthday to Jen Blanchard, Jimmy Strange, Max Smith, Lawrence Kelley, Linda Elliott, Emma Bennett, Steve Tolva and Jada Hunsinger.

Happy Anniversary to Jim and Darryl Eastham and Randy and Debbie Saari.