Downriver Dispatches

Maury Mooers called last week from Skamokawa. It was wonderful hearing his stories and his memories of the Maki family who lived there. Mrs. Maki from Fairview Road also called to say she doesn't believe they are relatives of the old Herman Maki family. What an honor to talk to them about their lives and history. Soon I hope to talk with the Naselle/GRV Valedictorian and Salutatorian as I did last year about their futures. Meeting the seniors and hearing their dreams and plans gives me energy. We have a fine school ready and willing to bring students into the "family" of teachers and students who year by year help the students achieve their goals.

I had an email from Bonnie LaDoe last week. She sent a Ron Forberg photo of the first Rosburg bridge, all wood and creosote, dedicated in 1931. She tells me there is a family reunion planned at Rosburg Hall for July 29 for the Smalley, Olmsted, Upton and Kessell families. That will be a large crowd, so plan on seeing "old" friends that weekend.

Don't miss Rosburg Hall's annual Chicken Dinner May 7 from 11:30-1:30. Then on May 20, the American Legion will have a pancake breakfast at Rosburg Hall all morning. May 13, there will be a Memorial at Rosburg Hall for Ellen Badger who was "quite the lady" and related to many of our folks here.

Appelo Archives Center is looking for board members. For more info, call 484-7103.

The Naselle Drama Club at the NGRV School will offer a dinner, "How to Host a Murder Mystery Dinner Party," on May 5-6 at 5:30 p.m., in the commons. A table of six is $125, or $20 per person, $10 for kids, and 10 years old and under are free. Pay at the door or at the school office, but do reserve seats ahead of time. Should be lots of fun.

Friends of the Naselle Library will meet at the Library from 3-4 p.m., on Monday, May 15, to elect officers. Come help plan library events/activities. The Friends help with funding of various library programs for children and adults. For further information call 360- 539-3327.

Photo of the Week: Jen Penttila, owner of the Finnhill Flower Company in Naselle. Jen's floral and gift shop is located on SR 4 at the north end of the Hair Villa. She has outdoor plants, fresh flowers for arrangements and gifts for sale as well. Her flowers are carefully chosen with beautiful pieces for arrangements that are reasonably priced. Her dog, Penny, a pug, is a friendly greeter and addition to a lovely shop that's a joy to visit. Jenn opened her flower shop in 2022, just in time for prom season, and soon after, Mother's Day. Jen is known for her extensive dahlia collection. This year she will be growing 628 varieties at her home in Naselle. She is an FDI Certified Floral Designer, obtaining her certification through in-person courses she took early last year at the Floral Design Institute, one of the nation's largest floral design programs. "You don't need a piece of paper to be able to arrange and sell beautiful flowers, but I always choose extra education when the opportunity is available," Jen said. She enjoys incorporating unusual flowers and foliage into her work. She also sources as many local flowers as possible when the season allows with many coming from Kim at Little Island Flowers on Puget Island and others from the Portland flower market. Roses are delivered fresh from the farms in South America right to the shop's doorstep within just a couple of days. Finnhill Flower Company has a full service florist offering gift items, house plants and balloons, as well as flowers for arrangements. Jen grew up in Milwaukee, Oregon but her parents met at Naselle high school. She has been visiting Naselle since she was born, and eventually married Bryan Penttila in 2007 and she has since called Naselle home. "When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of moving to Naselle. It was just so much more fun than living in the city." Now she is here and the proud owner of a small business. The shop is open Tuesday-Thursday and by appointment on Friday and Saturday. You can contact her at (360) 484-3777.

Events:

Mondays: First Monday of the month, Naselle Library has a men's coffee gathering 10-11:30.

Tuesdays: Naselle Lutheran Church sponsors morning quilters and knitters in afternoons.

Third Tuesday: Naselle Grays River School Board meets at 6:30 in school library.

Second Wednesday of the month, Grays River Habitat Enhancement District meets at the Grays River Fire Hall across from Duffy's Pub at 5:15.

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

Wednesdays through May: Young Children's Play Group at Naselle Library from 10-11:30.

First Thursday of the month: Grays River/Rosburg Gardening group meets at Johnson Park at 6.

First Thursday of the month: Caregiver Support Group at Naselle Library with OBH staff 1-2.

First Fridays of month: Legos Group through May, 10:30-11:30 at Naselle Library.

May: Wednesday Senior Lunches on May 3 and 17 at Rosburg Hall at noon.

May 5-6: Murder Mystery Dinner Party at Naselle/GRV School. Tickets at school, $20.

May 6: Saturday: Naselle Lutheran Church: Spring Festival from 10 a.m. until 2.

May 7: Sunday, Rosburg Hall Annual Chicken Dinner 11:30 to1:30.

May 13: American Legion's pancake breakfast from 8-11 at Rosburg Hall.

May 19: Wednesday at 4 at Naselle Library, a free movie, "Wings of Life."

May 20: 4-H Great White Tail Run in Skamokawa beginning at Vista Park. Register at 8:30.

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