Downriver Dispatches

Citizen of the Year and Photo of the Week: During a December 10 ceremony in Cathlamet, Grays River resident Diane Hollenbeck was awarded the title of 2022 Wahkiakum County Citizen of the Year by the Cathlamet Women's Club. Hollenbeck was recognized for her many community activities that include: preparing Wednesday senior lunches on the first and third Wednesdays of each month; assisting with the Thursday CAP senior lunch; a member of the Rosburg Community Center Board of Directors; Secretary for the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 0111; a member of the Grays River Grange; secretary/treasurer for the West End Food Pantry; and, in her spare time, she is known for driving residents to doctor appointments and delivering food to local homes. The award was presented to Hollenbeck by club President Caroline Walton and Vice-President Pearl Blackburn. In addition to the award, Hollenbeck's name will be engraved on the plaque containing the names of past recipients housed in the Cathlamet Community Center. A plaque and flower will be planted in the garden of the Julia Butler Hansen home during a later ceremony. In addition, Hollenbeck will be a featured participant in the 2023 Bald Eagle Day parade. The Cathlamet Women's Club has provided 93 years of community service. It is a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs that has clubs throughout the globe and is one of the world's oldest and largest women's service organizations dedicated to community improvement through volunteer services. So proud of you Diane and please know how much you mean to all of us. (from the Chinook Observer)

Our Animals: The ice storm was a time for staying inside and keeping warm, so I hope you took those hours for putting together a puzzle, reading, or baking. It was dangerously slippery. A photo on facebook of Susan Burkhalter struggling to carry buckets from the barn was cute at first, but once we saw how she slid and struggled, we worried for her safety. I watched Ben dog with much trepidation going across the back porch, then trying to go down the steps to do his necessaries. I am watching him carefully these days because Lisa, our wonderful Naselle vet, diagnosed him with Cushing's disease, common in older, aging dogs. His hair is thinning, his skin is paper thin, he is not eating as he used to and he seems to walk on the ends of his leg bones because his arthritis has ruined his knees. His hips are getting much worse, too, so he has trouble jumping into the car or getting on my bed with me. Lisa said there were options for removing a tumor, but gaining time may be offset by serious side effects, so I have chosen not to do that because it won't help him so much as it would help me slow down his time with me. I don't want to take chances with surgery that's not natural to his aging process. He is a dog that thinks and gets upset with me if I am not paying attention to him. He took me through cancer and cared for me with love. He is sad as he becomes aware of his body changing, so I spend much of my time touching him and telling him how much I love him. I value him as a brother and best friend. I heard a saying this week that is staying with me: "Friends know where you want to go, but best friends help you get you there." That is the kind of friend I want to be for him. God bless our animals, the deer who trust us, the birds who depend on us and the animals that love our children. Indeed, all our creatures great and small.

Coming Events:

December 31: New Year's Eve Party at Johnson Park from 9-12 a.m. Bring snacks and family food, games for family and friends. Weather permitting.

January 1: 2023. New Year's Day.

January 18: Senior Lunches at Rosburg Hall at noon (potluck) at noon.

January 11: Grays River Habitat Enhancement District meeting at 5:30 at Johnson Park.

January 17: Naselle GRV School Board meeting at 6:30 in school library.

January 22: FAFF sponsored concert with Skamokawa Swamp Opera at 3 at Naselle Community Center sponsored by the Finnish American Folk Festival (FAFF) at 3.

CAP Senior Lunches: CAP/Thursday Senior Lunches are now located inside Rosburg Hall at noon.

NOTE: The deadlines for The Eagle are now on Mondays at 5. Get notices of coming events to me by then to make it in the next Eagle.