Downriver Dispatches

Dear Readers: Let's start with the memory of September 11, 2001. Recruits into the service today may not have been born yet or may have been babies when it happened twenty-two years ago. How quickly history fades. Let us not forget those who climbed hundreds of stairs and headed into the fires and devastation. Let us always pause to pray for their families and those who lost so much. Let us remember our own first responders here in our rural area because they are all volunteers leaving their families and their jobs to come help us.

Drought Report: We are currently at D2 for severe drought status on the US Drought Monitor website. D2 in Wahkiakum County covers all the rivers. Almost 100% of Pacific County is in a severe drought at this point. Please be aware that this could last into October if predictions are accurate, and we could have severe storms with heavy rain when winter comes on December 21 or before. This is a good time to check your creeks, stream beds and culverts, and clear them so any water coming can move through easily. Make sure your animals will have shelter also. There is the possibility of heavy winds, so check out your trees, as well. Make sure you have trimmed or cut them so they are not a hazard.

Regarding dogs: Last week, with a neighbor's help, I loaded two lost dogs into my car with Bendog. They had no collars, and no tags with info on who owned them, and no address or phone number. I went straight to Frieda Footh because she knows a lot about the neighborhood, and sure enough, she went to Facebook and showed me a message with information about where the dogs belonged. Evidently, these two dogs have been wandering for a day or more. When I got to their home, no one was there and the gate was padlocked, so I went next door and the nice folks there let me put the dogs in their yard so they would be there when the owners came home. My fear was that the dogs would get hit by a car or just wander and wander. Please make sure your dog or dogs have tags with contact information. As a neighbor said, "Dogs and kids, if you're gonna' have them, take care of them." Life in the rural America.

Photo of the Week: This family photo came from Facebook. It has Sotka, Mattson and Nicolas family members and shows their recent gathering. It's a great representation of families with decades of love.

Talked with Sonja Kruse this morning. She and I spoke of 9/11 and where we were that morning. She said the world has changed so much, even during the years that she worked for Wahkiakum West, from 1992 through 2013. We talked of our memories of Carlton, his love of working at night with a football game on the television, his late night phone calls, and his long friendship with Becky Erickson who cleaned the offices. I can still hear him say, "By all means." And we talked of all the changes at the phone company now, all for the good.

I want to mention that the American Legion meets at Rosburg Hall on the second Monday of the month with food at 6 p.m. and the meeting at 7 p.m. If you're interested in reconnecting with, or joining the Legion, do attend and feel welcome.

One more reminder: I asked Andrea Vincent who is the accountant for the Grays River Fire Department, how much money has been donated to help them with the unexpected cost of a used fire truck that they needed. To date, almost $2,000 has been donated, but they could use more. I know it's hard for folks moving here from larger towns or cities to understand that there are no paid firemen or firewomen here. All our fire departments are staffed by volunteers who take time to be trained, take time from their jobs to answer calls, and put themselves in harm's way to help us not only save our property, but ourselves, our kids, and our pets. I have called an ambulance twice myself and it's such a comfort to know my neighbors are on their way. If you'd like to donate, send your checks to your local fire department or hand them to a volunteer fireman. And say thank you. They will appreciate it so much.

Calendar of Events:

Mondays/Wednesdays: Balance Class at Naselle Community Center 2-3.

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

Second Tuesday: Johnson Park Board meeting at 10 a.m.

Second Tuesday: American Legion at 6 p.m., Rosburg Hall.

Third Tuesday: Naselle Grays River School Board meets at 6:30 p.m., school library.

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

Second Wednesday of the month (Sept. 13): Grays River Flood Control District meets at the Grays River Fire Hall across from Duffy's Pub at 5:30 p.m. Also available by Zoom.

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

Thursdays: CAP Senior Lunches are located at Rosburg Hall, noon on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays.

Sept. 16: Tire Amnesty, free disposal, 16 Fairgrounds Rd. in Skamokawa, 8-12 p.m. No commercial sources. Tires can be on rims.

September 19: Naselle GRV School Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. in school library.

September 20: Senior Lunch, Rosburg Hall.

September 25: Red Cross Blood Drive, Johnson Park.

October 14: Bingo, Rosburg Hall.

October 28: Christmas Bazaar, Rosburg Hall

Words for the Week: Never forget 9/11