Sounds of family create a happy place

A week ago my house became filled with laughter and fun after the arrival of three of my teen granddaughters. We have been to the beach, to the Astoria Column, shopping, hiking, hot-tubbing and just plain being lazy. I needed this, and to top it off, now my niece and her daughter have arrived. This is heaven with the young giggles and music in the car and in the house. Such fun.

I didn’t plan too well for the two-week visit with the granddaughters as it cut into the Father’s Day weekend. So I will make a quick trip to California on Friday to return them to their dads. When I get home, I will still have some time with my niece and great niece before they fly home. Then the plans begin for other family to come for the 4th of July and the week before the holiday.

With all the happy things here, it will be a bittersweet day today as it is the one year anniversary of my husband’s passing. He certainly would have loved having these kids around just as I do. Some days it seems like he has been gone such a long time and others it is still so sad and fresh in my mind. I miss him so much but I know he is in a happy place and life goes on. Friends and family have made this transition for me much easier and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

News from Naselle:

School is out! Please remember that this time of year you may need to keep your eyes open wider as you drive in populated areas. There will be more kids around and they will be playing in places where they might not normally be if school was in session. Just a heads up to keep a cautious eye out.

Westend news:

The Grays River Habitat Enhancement District meets on the second Wednesday of each month at Johnson Park. Their next meeting will take place on the 14th at 5:15 p.m., and the public is invited to attend.

Have you ever listened to the homegrown real music by Jerry and Becky Ledtke and some of their friends? If not, you are in for a real treat. Open Mic Music Night is looking for local musicians and singers to perform and share their talents. The Skamokawa Grange will be the place on Friday starting at 6 p.m. If you play, sing or just enjoy listening to some fun music, check it out. It’s free, and you can sign up to join in at 5:30 p.m., before the music begins.

This event is free but donations are greatly appreciated and will be used to complete the Skamokawa Grange sound system.

For more information, contact Jerry Ledtke at 795-3434.

Do you or someone in your family have old medication still laying around? Now you have another option, other than dumping it down the toilet or taking it to the dump. There is a permanent safe drop off located in the Wahkiakum County Courthouse in Cathlamet for all unused or expired medications. This is a great way to keep dangerous meds out of our landfills and water systems.

It’s that time of the year and several local churches are making plans for their annual Vacation Bible Schools. Let me know dates and times, and I will get the info out to the community.

Valley Bible Church in Rosburg will hold their vacation bible school July 10-13 from 9 a.m. to noon. Kids from kindergarten to fifth grade are welcome. For more info please contact Tari Zimmerman.

The Rosburg Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch meets each week in the Rosburg Hall for a delicious home cooked meal that is prepared by Pat Potter and her volunteers.

On Thursdays, a senior lunch is also provided at the above location and is sponsored by CAP. Lunch is served at noon for both days.

Happy Birthday to Selena Colombo, Rokey Scott, Blair Brady, Greg Wirkkala and Bryon Saari. Here’s to a wonderful celebration for each of you.

Happy Anniversary to the following: Paul and Nikki Footh, Steve and Gayle Gacke, Ben and Kristen Gross, Doug and Shannon Tetz, Tim and Martha Tienhaara, Wilho and Kaisa Saari and JJ and Deanna McCullough. Here’s to many more celebrations together.