Habitat enhancement board seeks public input

It is so good to be home where I belong after a two-week absence, and the more trips I take away from this wonderful place, the more I believe it. That is not to say you shouldn’t leave occasionally, but it seems I have been away too much lately.

It was a wonderful visit with family and a cold (colder than it was here) race weekend but still had a good time. The desert, I will never like, whether it is hot or cold.

I did come home to my favorite spring flowers, the trilliums are blooming, the frogs sing all night and the ever present rain. I love the rain.

News from Naselle:

Sports calendar for the coming week for the Naselle Comet teams: Today (Thursday), high school track, home track meet at 3:30 p.m., fast pitch at Wishkah at 4 p.m .; Friday, high school baseball at Riverside Christian at 4 p.m., fast pitch in Naselle with Ilwaco at 4 p.m .; Saturday, high school baseball at Naches Valley DH. Go Comets!

Students in the Naselle-Grays River Valley District will be enjoying their spring break beginning this Friday at the end of the school day and will return to classes on April 9. Have a safe and enjoyable break, one and all.

An early reminder that the Appelo Archives Center in Naselle will once again host the Annual Loggers Reunion on April 21. More info in future columns or call Falon Hoven at 360 484-7103.

Westend news:

It has been a long while since I was personally involved with the Grays River Habitat Enhancement District, but just to let everyone know, they are still out there looking out for our best interests as far as flood control and river management is concerned.

On April 11 at 5:15 p.m. they will hold their regular meeting in the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson park. The volunteer commissioners will discuss comprehensive repairs to the Grays River, all the way through Grays Bay. I know we have had many, many discussions before that led to only a few successful projects. This time appears to be a little different, with support from tribes and many other organizations. It would be great if all landowners and interested parties could come together at this meeting and work with the GRHED commission, bringing recommendations and participating in the discussions which could benefit all of us.

The board is currently seeking a new volunteer commissioner as well. It would be great if more energetic, hard working younger members of the community would step up to the plate and allow the current commissioners to step back. The job is sometimes time consuming, but it is interesting as well. Our river system, fish and wildlife habitats, and flooding issues need to have oversight and this group of volunteers have definitely put in their time and effort to protect our issues.

Mark your calendar, and we hope to see many of the local landowners on April 11 at 5:15 p.m.

My sister and a wonderful friend decided to spend last Sunday afternoon at the open mic in the Skamokawa Grange Hall. I had been hoping to attend one of their monthly sessions and just happened to be free for this one. It was so much fun, listening to the many talented musicians and singers as well as enjoying some delicious home made venison chili, with cornbread and all the fixings, coffee, cookies and raspberry bars and other home made delights. The kitchen crew outdid themselves under the watchful eye of Kelly Guest, for this music filled afternoon.

Wahkiakum Vibes (local couple, Jerry and Becky Ledtke of Skamokawa and some of their friends), started this monthly event several months ago, inviting any and all musicians and singers to join in for an afternoon of music just for the fun of it. It has begun to grow and the talents presented at each session keeps getting better, I’m told. Though we didn’t stay for the jam session, I hear that the audience was up and dancing to some good music.

If you like country, oldies or original music, check this venue out next month. You won’t regret it. The participants at Sundays session included Jerry and Becky Ledtke, Cliff Garrison, Darrell Alexander, Art Seavey, Glen West, Julie Dalen, Jay Y., Two Crows Joy Band, Frida Holliday and Sharin Cothren. The sound board was handled by Levi Helms who is also the Grange master.

Happy Birthday to Nikki Footh, Parker Dalton, Denise Blanchard, Cynthia Clark, Cheyenne Engelson, Brian Peters, Jacob Lindstrom, Arlene Nelson, Taylor Wasmundt, Nathan Forbes, Karli Nelson and Cary Bloom. Hoping for a perfect day for each of you.

Happy Anniversary to Dean and Junea Brannan. Here’s to many more celebrations.

Wishing all the readers a very Happy Easter this weekend, and a safe spring break next week.

It is so good to be home.