Downriver Dispatches

Thursday update: The Eagle received word late Wednesday after the print edition had gone to press and the online version of this article had been posted that the Supersale at Johnson Park set for this Saturday has been postponed to April 23.

Naselle Youth Camp: Thanks to State Representative Jim Walsh who kept the Naselle Youth Camp open at the beginning of the legislative process. Unfortunately, the camp was pulled out later on. There is still a chance for it to remain open while it sits on the governor's desk. At this point, the legislative session is over, but there is still a 20 day period to end it that involves the Governor directly. There are many unknowns at this point. Hopefully, even if the final word is closure, there will be a safety net plan and funding to either keep the Naselle Camp School open through the 2022- 2023 school year or there will be safety net funds to keep the school open through another school year while changes at the property are planned.

According to planned steps for closure, ownership of the property will move to the Department of Natural Resources, and planning for an outdoor education program will begin. Hopefully, those in charge of the transition will consider the Naselle/Grays River School District as a partner when they work through their transition planning process. All input will be helpful so if you have any ideas or concerns, please share them. Since jobs and students are in limbo at this point, please send your ideas and concerns directly to the governor's office. You can email or write or phone. Contact information is on the governor's website. Now is the time.

St. Patrick's Day at Duffy's: There will be live music at Duffy's in Grays River on St. Patrick's Day, Thursday, March 17 and Friday for those who can't celebrate on Thursday. Hank and Lloyd and Friends will perform on Thursday - Pete Davis (fiddle, mandolin and vocals), Beth Sheets (guitar and vocals), Donnie Wages (guitar, hammer dulcimer, harmonica and vocals) and John Pilon from Marysville (mandolin, fiddle, ukulele and whatever else he brings along). Music will begin at 4 p.m. both days. Joining in on the fun Friday will be Layton Elliott (guitar and vocals). Friday's band with the addition of Layton Elliott will be The Bloody Pirates.

Ted Swanson: Ted is now home with broken ribs. He and the whole family need prayer. His situation puts added pressure and uncertainty on the family to ensure Ted is cared for and comfortable. Please give Ted and the family prayer time, cards and support. Ted is a treasure of history and a loving patriarch of the family.

Photo of the Week from Pearl Blackburn, "Dress a Girl" ambassador for Oregon/Washington State: "In Dec 2021, our group sent 160 dresses to Cebu, Philippines and just received the photo attached along with this message: "These are some of the victims of the recent hurricane in Cebu which sent big trees flying and left many homeless. The girls look so happy and grateful for the dresses. Thank you for the love and generosity that your sewing group extended." This month on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Johnson Park Community Center, a Super Sale is being planned. The "Dress a Girl" room will be open to the public and will have a table of non-cotton fabric for sale. All profits go to the "Dress a Girl" program. In 2021 our group distributed 973 dresses to girls around the world. In 2020, it was 476 dresses. We doubled the number of dresses. Thank you for each original dress that you finished for a girl in need to cover her body with dignity. The number of completed dresses turned in for 2021 is 1,011 dresses plus 103 of the pocketless dresses that we added pockets to and finished. In 2021, we were able to send 265 dresses for Operation Christmas Child through five different churches in Washington State and Oregon. I have received an email that the first shipment has been sent to Madagascar, an island off the coast of East Africa. Our local gatherings continue on the first Thursday of the month from noon to 1 p.m. on April 7 at our Dress a Girl room located at Johnson Park Community Center down the hall from the West End Food Pantry.

Super Sale at Johnson Park: Don't forget the Super Sale now set for April 23 from 9 to 4. Tables with lots of goodies for sale will help support Johnson Park and the Dress a Girl Room will have fabric for sale as well in their room. [The date was originally set for March 19, but late Wednesday after The Eagle had been printed, we received word that it had just been rescheduled. --ed.]

Karl Marlantes, author of "Deep River" will speak at the Naselle Community Center this Saturday at 2 p.m. Before Saturday, tickets are available at the Appelo Archives Center for $15, or on their website: appeloarchives.org. Tickets will be $20 at the door, so get your tickets this week!

Grays River Flood Control/Enhancement District: Poul Toftemark announced after the district's last meeting that Charlie Shumar, Susan Amala and Krist Novoselic have stepped up to volunteer to be commissioners for the district's openings. Thanks to all of them! Hopefully the county commissioners will swear them in soon so they can begin working on the many challenges of the valley's flood water and streams. All landowners are encouraged to attend on the second Wednesday of the month at Johnson Park at 5:15 p.m.

Naselle Volunteer Fire Dept: Congratulations and happy retirement to Bert and Carol Haven. Bert has dedicated 33 years to the department and Carol 20 years. Carol has been the district secretary for many years. Bert is an EMT that has responded to probably 99% of the calls. After a three-month vacation Bert plans on continuing with the department but will be officially retired. They are a huge asset to the community and department. We thank them for their many years of service. From Becky Erickson: I cannot begin to say enough about these two. I've appreciated many field trips that Bert and Carol assisted in lining up my "yearly" preschool fire hall field trips. They consistently did an excellent job, and always made it fun! Thanks so much, you folks, for that and for all you have done over the many past years. God bless you for your service.

Rennie Smith: I recently met Rennie Smith, owner and caretaker of her land next to the Timberland Library in Naselle. She spent many years working at the youth camp and now spends much of her time caring for her beautiful park land that she offers to the public to enjoy. When you see her, please give her a message of thanks for her gardening work and heart for the community.

Education Foundation: I had intended to talk with Mike Swanson regarding the local Education Foundation last week, but with the Swanson family's attention on Ted, I will wait until Mike has time to discuss it.

Senior Lunch Club: The next club luncheon will be on April 6 at Rosburg Hall at noon. CAP lunches are available every Thursday at noon at Rosburg Hall. Menus for the rest of March include: March 17: Corned beef hash, Scandinavian blend, broccoli and orange salad, strawberry crisp. March 24: pork chops and gravy, mashed potatoes, San Francisco blend, apricots. March 31: meatloaf, baked potato, peas and carrots, orange parfait. Contact Denise at (360) (360) 762-3111 to reserve yours.

Word of the week: Faith.