Birthday fête set for Bob Larson's 90th

It’s hard to tell whether Mother Nature wants it to be Spring or remain Winter. One day sun, then rain and snow.

Last Saturday was a gorgeous day, and my sister happened to have the day off, so we decided to have lunch at the Grays River Cafe. After a yummy cheeseburger, we took a drive out Altoona-Pillar Rock Road. We drove some distance and spotted a car parked on the side of the road. As we approached, we noticed three unusual animal buddies coming towards the two guys next to their car. It was a friendly little brown and white goat (who checked us out by sticking its head in the car window), a sweet little black pig (after checking us out went on to root around the other car and nuzzle its occupants) and would you believe, a young deer (who thought that it needed a kiss from the man by the car). I don’t know who these critters belong to but I must say, it was the highlight of our week, having the pleasure of this unexpected sighting. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if humans could live and play together without prejudice as these three critters seem to be doing. A life lesson that should be learned and practiced by all, in my mind. A delightful encounter on a beautiful day.

News from Naselle:

Time again for Spring sports for the Naselle Comet teams. Practices will begin soon for baseball, fast pitch and for track. Go Comets! Both the boys and the girls basketball teams are to be commended for their performance this year. You make your community proud.

The Appelo Archives Cafe will once again be serving food for your pleasure. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check them out.

Westend news:

The West End Food Pantry will host a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner in the Grays River Valley Center on March 11, 5-7 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and $5 for children 10 and under. You can purchase them at the West End Food Pantry on Thursdays 1-5 p.m. or call Shonda at 465-2722. All proceeds help support the West End Food Pantry, which serves residents of Grays River, Rosburg and Naselle.

A reminder that the West End Food Pantry can always use food items such as canned meats, breakfast cereal, canned fruits, pork and beans, dried pasta, etc. A few other necessities include peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, Rice-a-Roni, chili, raviolis, Spaghettios, dried peas, beans, and lentils and fruit juices. In the Naselle area you can drop items off with Lori at the Naselle Post Office.

Donations can be dropped off at their site in Johnson Park when they are open; they're located in the north end of the building. Monetary contributions can be mailed to PO Box 55, Rosburg, WA 98643 or dropped off at the food pantry when it is open. Your tax deductible receipt will be mailed to you.

Have you made plans yet for Saturday, March 18 or Sunday, the 19th? For a delightful experience why not check out the “Luck of the Irish - High Tea” being held at the Dahlia House B&B located at 1919 Altoona-Pillar Rock Road at 1:00 p.m. For reservations please call 360-465-2519 or 360-431-0291 or e-mail dahlia@wwest.net.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets in the Rosburg Hall every week to take part in a delicious home cooked meal with friends and neighbors. The lunch is prepared and served by Pat Potter and her volunteer crew.

On Thursdays another senior meal is served in the Roaburg Hall and is sponsored by CAP. Lunch is served at noon for both venues.

It’s time to help celebrate the 90th birthday of a pretty special guy from Grays River, Bobby Larson. If you ever have a question about something that has happened in our community, he can probably fill you in on the answer. You will probably get more information than you asked for, but that is our beloved Bobby.

The Grays River United Methodist Church will host a celebratory coffee hour on Sunday, March 5 from noon to 3 p.m. in honor of his special day.

Everyone is welcome to join him, enjoy cake, coffee and finger foods to help commemorate this milestone in his life. No gifts please, but birthday cards, well wishes and a story or two are always welcome.

Happy Birthday, Bobby. You were a big part of making Del and I feel like this was where we wanted to spend the rest of our lives. Thank you for your friendship, and have a wonderful birthday celebration.

Other birthdays being celebrated this week include Michael Gilbert, Wendy Strange, Karen Wirkkala, Dustin Eaton, Parker Smith, Matt Scrabeck, Tucker Bennett, Anita Raistakka and Daniel Forbes. Here’s to a perfect day.

Happy Anniversary to Marco and Lisa Colombo, Rokey and Lori Scott and Roy and Shirley Herrold. Wishing you many more.

A very special belated Happy 10th Anniversary to my good friends, Jim and Lilah Lincoln. Keep on, keep’n on, you two. You are a very special couple.

Looking forward to a short visit from my nephew, Mark this weekend. I think he may be looking forward to the rain and snow that is predicted for our next few days as he lives in Yucca Valley, Calif.