Downriver Dispatches

While traveling over the KM Mountain one day in a fog, I suddenly came into a clear area where I could see the valley below covered in fog as the sun filtered through as if the forest below was covered with various colors of cotton candy. The whiteness of some of the fog reminded me of soap suds foaming over the landscape.

Because of the soapy look of the fog, for whatever reason, I thought of my now deceased mother. As a child I remember watching her fill a wash tub with soapy water and get on her hands and knees to scrub the clothes on a scrub board before wringing them out and hanging the clothes outside on the line. I salute you ladies who have done this work or witnessed it firsthand from your mother or grandmother because you learned the value of hard work.

As a correspondent for the Wahkiakum County Eagle, I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people and listen to the stories of their life here in the county. The many hardships endured have had a lasting impact for those who remain here at whatever their age. Those outside the county from larger cities wonder at many of the local habits. They are at odds with why people keep (hoard) things that may or may not appear as a needed item. What outsiders fail to understand is that it is hard to get work done here from outsiders unless you want to pay through the nose.

People keep things here longer because it is a pain in the backside to have to travel an hour in any direction to get needed items at a reasonable price. I personally have repaired my washing machine four times before I bought a new one and I still had a problem getting it delivered, especially because I do not have a truck. When you can do it, it is advised to seek local help when possible. The talent is here; let’s see if we can help to bring it to the surface so everyone can benefit. Send your ideas to me in care of The Eagle.

Rosburg News:

The holidays may be over, but do not forget that on Wednesdays the Naselle/Rosburg-Grays River Seniors Club will meet at the Rosburg Community Hall at noon. Thursdays at noon there will be a senior citizen luncheon for only three dollars at the Rosburg Community Hall, 28 Rosburg Hall Rd, Rosburg. Call Denise at 360-425-3430 ext. 259 the Tuesday before the lunch so she can have the right amount of food for the patrons.

This week’s special at The Rosburg Store will be a pulled pork sandwich. Give a challenge to Chef Landen to play a game of cribbage when he is not cooking. He is the unofficial cribbage champion of the Rosburg Store. English poet Sir John Suckling created cribbage in the early 17th century as a derivation of the game "noddy." The objective of the game is to be the first player to score a target number of points, typically 61 or 121.

Shonda Ware, the new president of the Grays River Valley Community Center and of The West End Food Pantry, located in the Grays River Valley Center (GRVC) at Johnson Park, is in need of volunteers to help out on Thursdays 1-5 p.m. Drop off your donation at the Pantry on Thursdays. On Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. the Community Library and Computer Center in the GRVC at Johnson Park will be open to the public.

Naselle news

The Appelo Archives is located at 1056 State Route 4 Naselle. Board meetings are usually held on the third Friday of each month at noon. It is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. For information please contact Kelly Shumar at 360-484-7103 or info@appeloarchives.org. Don’t forget to see Tiffany in the Archives Café for delicious food, or call first to see what is on the menu at 360-484-7101. The cafe will be closed through January 7 and will open and starting the new year by offering breakfast items.

The Naselle Timberland Library is located at 4 Parpala Rd. Naselle. Their Hours: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m .; Sunday, Monday, and Thursday Closed; Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m .; and Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library has weekly movies that may be PG-13 rated and suitable for teen or adult audiences. Check with the library for each week's title. Popcorn provided courtesy of the Friends of the Naselle Timberland Library.