Naselle students raising funds, in football playoffs

News from Naselle:

Congratulations to the Naselle Comet football team as they head to Montesano to play Almira-Coulee-Hartline on Saturday in a state playoff game. The game will start at 1 p.m.

Other sports coming up this week include: Today (Thursday), middle school girls basketball at Willapa Valley at 5:45 p.m .; Monday, middle school girls basketball in Naselle with South Bend at 5:45 p.m .; Tuesday, middle school girls basketball at Ocosta at 5:45 p.m. Go Comets!

Don’t forget the Naselle Booster Club’s Chili Feed and Turkey Bingo night this Friday at 5 p.m. Always a fun event.

The Naselle junior class is selling poinsettias for $13 each. You can choose from red and jingle bell. Contact person is Gillian Hope at 360 214-0701.

Naselle High School cheer squad is also doing a fundraiser. If you like See's Candies, and I can’t imagine anyone not liking it. Gillian Hope is also the contact person at the number in the previous paragraph. They are trying to raise $700.

Basketball teams are selling shirts and sweatshirts as well and their contact is Rose Nisbet at 360 581-7829.

Students work hard to stay ahead of the rising costs of student activities, and it’s great to see so many involved in these fundraisers. Let’s give them a hand by calling in an order.

The Naselle-Grays River Valley School Board will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. These are public meetings and the community is encouraged to attend.

Westend news:

Thanksgiving is next week, and baskets are being prepared for those families in our area who are in need.

Complete meals can be purchased at the Cathlamet Market or at Okie’s in Naselle which can then be donated to the Pantry. Items needed for the baskets include canned or instant potatoes, canned gravy or packets, canned ham, canned yams, canned fruit, stuffing mix, biscuit or muffin mix, canned pumpkin pie mix, and ready made pie crusts.

Donated items should be in the hands of the Food Pantry at least by this week in order to get them sorted and distributed.

Pantry hours are Thursdays 1-5 p.m., and the pantry is located in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park. Tax deductible cash donations may be sent to: West End Food Pantry, PO Box 55, Rosburg, WA 98643.

I have a confession to make and an apology to make to the West End Food Pantry board members. There is a glitch in their Facebook feed, and I received info about the Secret Santa Workshop erroneously. It seems there is another West End Food Pantry doing the Secret Santa Workshop, but it is located in Pennsylvania. I did not double check with the board, and got an email last week asking where the info came from. Lesson learned, always double check with folks who know more than you, before publishing.

A happy ending here though, the Santa Shop will go on as my article has stated for the last two weeks. Kids from families utilizing our West End Food Pantry can shop for their caregivers on December 16 from noon to 4 p.m.

Kids must be present to do their own shopping; no caregivers allowed. Volunteers will be available to help them with their selections and wrapping.

Kids will be shopping for both male and female caregivers, so gifts for both sexes will be needed. If you would like to donate something for the shop here are some suggestions--flashlights, necklaces, coffee mugs or tea cups, hats or gloves, etc. This event is free for the children. Gift donations must be received by December 15.

Happy Birthday to Cody Strange, Tela Gross, Chris Dorman, Pat Howerton, Kelly Paulson and Doug Tetz.

An extra special Happy Birthday to one of my favorite friends in our little valley, Susan Burkhalter. You are one amazing lady, so involved with your family and your community, and an inspiration to many of us. Thank you for being you, and I hope your special day is filled with the love of family and friends, and wishing you so much happiness in the new chapters of your life.

Happy Anniversary to Jim and Marilyn Strange. Here’s to many more celebrations together.

Don’t forget the St. James Christmas Bazaar “A Country Christmas” this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Family Center located 1134 Columbia Street in Cathlamet. Enjoy a delicious lunch, a bake sale, lots of local vendors selling their handmade items, raffle baskets, live music and a children’s store. Bring the family for a day of fun.

I would like to wish the readers an early Happy Thanksgiving as I will be away from my computers for at least the next 4 weeks, spending time with some of my family. Enjoy your good food, and your family and friends on this special day of thanks. I intend to as well. Happy Thanksgiving to all.