Football starts Friday, school on Tuesday

I am really ready for some rain and cooler temperatures. This is not my cup of tea.

On another note, the old adage “the best laid plans” did not work out so well for me this past two weeks. I had company come back the weekend before the eclipse, and the traffic was so bad at my granddaughter’s that I never would have made it in time for the historic event. So, my sister and I, with our cousins, watched it from Grays River, and it was a sight to behold.

Then we had another rather nasty dilemma and I flew my nephew who is a plumbing contractor in Palm Springs up to take care of the problem. Now, all seems to be well on the home front, and he flew home on Monday. Thank goodness for professionals in the family.

News from Naselle:

The last big weekend of vacation before classes begin again for the students in the Naselle-Grays River Valley Schools. I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful summer, but now, back to a new school year.

Teachers have already spent several days getting ahead of the students through teacher work days. Now, welcome to the 2017-2018 year. Classes begin on Tuesday.

Even though school is not yet in session, football season is here. The first high school game is scheduled for Friday, 7 p.m., in Naselle with Wahkiakum; Monday, JV football at Wahkiakum at 6 p.m .; Tuesday, high school volleyball at Ilwaco at 5:45 p.m .; Wednesday, high school JV jamboree volleyball at Montesano at 4:30 p.m. Go Comets!

Other Westend news:

If you still need back to school supplies, the leftover items from the “Pack-2-School Carnival" which took place on the 29th will be available at the West End Food Pantry. Please stop at the pantry today (Thursday) between 1-5 p.m., and sign up for what you need. You can also check in with Kristi at the Naselle School office as they have a supply of back-to-school items as well.

The West End Food Pantry will host its annual fundraising Lasagna Dinner on September 23, 5-7 p.m., and is dedicating this event in memory of their dear friend and board member, Pat Potter, with the proceeds going to her son, Randy Potter. From now on, each year the proceeds of this event will go to one needy family in our community.

The menu will include lasagna (gluten free eggplant variety available), salad, garlic bread, and dessert. A drawing will be held for a door prize. Tickets are now on sale. Adults are $10 and children (12 years and under) $5 and are available at the pantry on Thursdays 1-5 p.m. or they can be purchased from board members. Contact Shonda at 465-2722 for more information.

Happy Birthday to Lisa Colombo, Alex Bennett, Kristen Gross, Hans Varila, Tom Zimmerman and Vince G. Fauver.

Happy Anniversary to Brent and Sheila Kragerud, Kayse and Maria Rogers and Joe and Jeannine Helvey.

My deepest sympathies and blessings go out to the family of my neighbor and dear friend, Randy Collver, who passed away this past week. He and his sweet wife, Ramona moved here several years ago after finding the perfect place to worship, in the Valley Bible Church. Being retired librarians, they soon found a place to volunteer in the Grays River Valley Library at Johnson Park. They were the reason that the library thrived after my husband had his stroke and I had to step back. With their energy, expertise and hard work, we built a beautiful public library for the community’s use.

Randy leaves his wife of 14 years, Ramona, at home in Grays River.

I have a favorite memory of Randy. During one of our freshets, Randy decided to drive through the water near the Covered Bridge, got off the pavement and had to be pulled out. After telling the story, he was nicknamed Splash and was even presented with a T-shirt to remember the incident by the Johnson Park board members. Rest in peace, Splash, and God bless you.