Downriver Dispatches

Last Sunday I visited with the Building Committee for the Naselle Community Center. Those lovely and faithful folks are a joy to visit with. I talked with them about my history as a fundraiser/grantwriter/consultant with non-profits and gave them some of my experiences with both large and small organizations. I first came to Wahkiakum County in February of 2003 to offer a grantwriting class that turned out to be a good sized group. There are similarities among non-profits in our area, whether organizations are Norwegians or Finns. If there is a Swedish or Danish group, I haven't heard about them, but Scandinavians tend to have similar values in my experience. Let me speak of Naselle's Finnish American Folk Festival, a gathering of Finns from around the world which we all enjoy. All of these groups illustrate the preferences to be with others from similar backgrounds who speak the same "origin language." Early on when I first moved here, I realized that the very act of asking someone for a donation of money was awkward and uncomfortable with all of the populace, and I recognized it again on Sunday. I hope you all are familiar with the old phrase, "You get what you give." Asking for a donation is often seen as intrusive and rude by many in the area. I would like you to see it perhaps, in a different way. How am I called to live in a community? The very word means, "Coming in unity." If you see an organization in your "neighborhood," such as the Grange and FAFF and Rosburg Hall, aren't you part of what they are doing to bring us all together in unity? And to support various services to have a good social life that keeps us healthier than we would be without it? Imagine the lives we would live without the programs at Johnson Park such as the West End Food Pantry, or Rosburg Hall or Valley Bible or the Naselle Lutheran Church or the new Naselle Community Center. Might your calendar change if they ended? Would your quality of life grow more and more depressing? Mine sure would.

The new Community Center in Naselle has a need for non-grant funds to help upgrade the building and grow their services. I believe that when faithful citizens come together to start or maintain a service, we all should join in and do what we can to not only fund the work they're doing, but show support for their hard volunteer work with others. Please consider the services you or your family use and show support with a gift. Even a ten-dollar bill gives them more than they had yesterday. If you'd like to donate to the Community Center, even anonymously, please let me or Mike Swanson know. We will help get it where it needs to go. Or send it to Naselle Community Center, PO Box 156, Naselle WA 98638. By donating, you become an investor in the future of not only Naselle, but the broader community. So please consider being an investor with your donation of any amount and help this local organization. Giving brings pride in what you're supporting, and a smile to God's face.

Photo of the Week: Krist Novoselic sent information and a photo showing damage to the Grays River Grange's flag pole at the Grays River Cemetery. Nick Nikkala has offered to fix it and if he needs help, the American Legion will provide it, so our U.S.Flag will fly on Memorial Day. Thanks so much to Nick and the Legion. I think a platform is being planned to protect the pole. Cemeteries are both vulnerable and important. As illustrated in the cemetery photo, flag poles are vulnerable to vandalism and drivers who are not paying attention. If anyone is interested in helping to build a structure to protect the flag-pole, please call the Grange and leave a message at 360.465-2268.

Karl Marlantes, well known author of "Deep River" will speak at Redmen Hall on March 11 at 4 p.m. after the Antique and Vintage sale. An afternoon spent at Redmen Hall would be a great idea. Karl's book title is a bit deceiving, but he said he didn't use Naselle as a title because readers wouldn't know how to pronounce the name The book brings us a good illustration of early immigrants to our area A limited number of books will be available for sale.

The Naselle Lutheran Church has changed the times their knitting and quilting groups meet. They are both on Tuesdays, but as I understand it, the knitters are in the morning at 9 and the quilters are in the afternoon, but it would be good to check with them to verify this. Call Carol Ervest to verify at 360.465-2275.

Coming Events:

Mondays: Naselle Lutheran Church sponsors knitters in mornings and quilters in afternoon. Please let me know if this isn't correct.

Wednesdays: AA meeting at the Grays River Grange at noon.

First Thursday of the month: Gardening group meets at Johnson Park at 6 p.m.

First Thursday of the month: Caregiver Support Group at Naselle Library with Ocean Beach Hospital staff from 1-2 p.m.

March 8: Grays River Habitat Enhancement Board at Grays River Fire Hall.

March 11: Karl Marlantes at Redmen Hall at 4 p.m.

March 21: School Board meeting at 6:30 in school library.

April 8: Easter Egg Hunts in morning and evening.

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

Wednesday Senior Lunches are March 1 and 15. Hope to see you there. Age is not a requirement to come, but if you're 50 or over, come give it a try, especially if you're new to the area.