Finnish-American Folk Festival is this weekend

News from Naselle:

Get ready for a fun filled family weekend of good food, good fun, culture, folklore, music, dancing and educational exhibits and lectures. The Finnish-American Folk Festival is here in Naselle this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There’s lots to do and lots to see.

My plan is to spend the afternoon enjoying the festivities on Saturday with some of my grandchildren and great grandchildren and then watching Giants in the Trees, playing a free concert at 7:15 p.m. for the whole family. The weather should be nice for the whole weekend, so come on out and have a great experience.

For more info on Finn-Fest you can check them out online at: http://www.nasellefinnfest.com or call:360 484-3388.

Friends and I had the pleasure of attending Disney’s Beauty and the Beast on Sunday afternoon. It was delightful. The play was presented by PAPA-Peninsula Association of Performing Artists, in the theatre at Fort Columbia, a great venue. The actors and actresses were wonderful and seemed to really get into their roles, having fun doing it. Many of them were performing with the group for the first time. Emma Zimmerman of Grays River played the part of a silly girl in the production and was amazing. It’s always nice when you know one of the performers.

For being a small stage, the program was well produced and the choreography was very well done with so many performers on stage at once. We live in a terrific community with so much talent, and this is just another way to share that talent with others. Thank you PAPA and all the actors and crew for a pleasant afternoon and a great show.

You can still purchase tickets to the show for the next two weekends (7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays) through August 5. Seating was very comfortable and well laid out.

Tickets can be purchased online at: http://www.papatheater.com or if you need assistance, please call 360 836-4448.

Westend news:

My brother, sister and I made the trip to the fairgrounds last Friday night to watch the bull riding competition. It was a fantastic show. I would like to commend the Fair Foundation for all their efforts in bringing such an event to our little community. Though the seating could have been a little more comfy, and more of it, we had a wonderful time. I hope the event will continue in the future. It was a great addition to our Bald Eagle Celebration.

The Tuesday Farmer’s Market in the Grays River #124 Grange Hall located on SR 4 is going strong. For the best choices, you need to get there early. Delicious baked goods, local produce and great prices. They are open 2-6 p.m.

Get ready for the annual Pig Roast/Potluck and Campout. This year the event will take place August 3-5. Come in with your camping gear and stay all weekend or just come on Saturday for the pig roast and pot luck. Poul and Zenaida always do an outstanding job of sharing their beautiful property, swimming accommodations, games and delicious food, with the community.

They only ask that you bring your friendliest attitude, your own chairs and drinks, a dish or two to share for the potluck, a life jacket for your children and please, no pets. Come and bring the whole family for games, swimming, music, food and fellowship of the best kind.

It’s that time again. The Valley Bible Church will hold the next blood drive on August 8 from noon to 5:30 p.m. Make your appointments now and avoid the rush, but walk-ins are always welcome. The church is located in Rosburg at 4723 SR 4. Go to the Red Cross website to set your appointment or call Susan Burkhalter.

Remember, you could be giving the gift of life to someone by donating blood, and you never know when someone you love may need that gift from you or someone else who donated.

The Wahkiakum County Commissioners schedule an evening meeting once a quarter here on the Westend. The next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. August 8 in the cafeteria of the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park (old Rosburg School) in Rosburg. Westenders who normally can’t make the Tuesday morning commission meetings, this is your opportunity to ask questions, make comments and get involved with what is going on in the county.

Happy Birthday to the following: Kayti Nelson, Daniel Holt, Kyryn Jacot, Gene Strong, Shirley Herrold, Loretta Smalley, Eden Hazen, Ryan Ullakko, Jennifer Boggs, Katie Olson and Alissa Dorman. Here’s to a perfect day for each of you.

Happy Anniversary to Terry and Kim Tarabochia and Otis and Renee Hunsinger. Wishing you many more celebrations together.