Downriver Dispatches

One misty, moisty morning, when cloudy was the weather, I chanced to meet an old man dressed all in leather.

Anyone remember this old nursery rhyme? I used to recite it to my kids when it was raining as they readied themselves for the school bus. It was my way of saying be smart about what coat you use today. The rain sure fell last night and continues today (Monday).

And I think I heard we might have thunder this afternoon. Good day to clean house and nap. Fall means watching for the local Christmas bazaars. Rosburg Hall's Annual Bazaar will be on Saturday, October 28. Vendors are sometimes from out of town, but there are local folks as well, with all sorts of crafts including quilting, wood art, and more. Also on offer that day: chicken lunches by the Rosburg Community Club ladies.

The Naselle Lutheran Church will have their Christmas Bazaar with lunch and baked goods on November 11. The quilters will have many choices of quilts at that event.

Fall also brings Halloween activities in our area. Holly Engleson in Naselle is to be commended for her work founding this event for kids. It will be at the Naselle Community Center on Saturday, October 28, starting at 4:30 p.m. She can always use volunteers, whether teenagers or adults. Contact her at (360) 484-3948. Also, the Alaska State Troopers will be offering their "Trunk or Treat" event at the Alaska State Patrol office in Naselle east of the school from 3-6 p.m. on Halloween night.

In last week's Eagle, we ran a story about a survey on health concerns in Wahkiakum County. It stated that out of all the residents of the county, only 308 responded. Erica Zink of Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services said that "most of the surveys were completed by residents in Cathlamet and Puget Island, despite efforts by the organizers to reach out to other areas in the county, but the west side of the county was hard to represent. They are notoriously hard to get a hold of. We need to find ways to reach them." She also said that "based on demographic information provided by responders, overall findings likely lean towards the views of residents who have a bachelor's degree or higher, live in Cathlamet or Puget Island, and are middle-aged and female."

At first I was taken aback by her statements because reaching us on the west end of the county is not that hard if information comes through key groups in the west end or Skamokawa. For us on the west end, we end up shaking our heads at the idea that we are notorious for being hard to contact. I suspect the whole survey was not too successful with only 308 responses out of our approximate 4,500 residents. How about starting over and doing it again? Sounds to me like access to primary care is a big issue for the east end, but out here we have two hospitals available and a clinic close by.

A couple new events coming up sound interesting. The Finnish American Folk Festival is sponsoring a musical event on Sunday, November 5 with two groups performing. First, Jennifer Goodenberger will play her own original music from a new CD she has made. Many of us here and in the Astoria area truly value both her talent as a writer and a pianist. The second musical offering that day will be the Acoustic 3rd Secret with Jillian Raye, Jennifer Johnson and Krist Novoselic. Admission is by donation and revenue will go to FAFF's Naselle Community Center.

On two weekends, November 11-12 and 18-19, Darbury Denim, of Deep River, will present a needle artistry show, "The Sky Above Deep River, Textiles and Thread." It will be on display at the Naselle Community Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. This show is free of charge, but donations will be welcome for the Naselle Community Center. This is a unique opportunity to see her work and her skills. Along with her needle art, she designs custom wallpaper, too. She is a fantastic cook and a well-loved Grays River Grange member. This should be an exciting and unusual show.

Photo of the Week: Brian Elliott from the Dahlia House B&B out Altoona Pillar Rock Road and his wife, Linda, are traveling through Ireland. This photo shows Brian at the Great Light in Belfast.

Calendar of Events:

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

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

Second Tuesday: Johnson Park Board meeting at 10.

Second Tuesday: American Legion meets at 6 at Rosburg Hall.

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

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

Wednesdays: Play Group for little ones at the Naselle Library from 10:30 to 11:30.

Second Wednesday of the month: Grays River Flood Control District meets at Fire Hall across from Duffy's at 5:30. Also available by Zoom.

First and third Wednesdays in October: Senior Lunch at Rosburg Hall at noon. Next one on 18th.

Thursdays: CAP Senior Lunches are located at Rosburg Hall at noon on Thursdays.

October 28: Annual Christmas Bazaar at Rosburg Hall supporting Rosburg Community Club.

October 28: Halloween Celebration at Naselle Community Center. More info coming.

November 4: Appelo Archives' Harvest Auction and Dinner at Rosburg Hall at 5.

November 5: Krist Novoselic and the Acoustic Third Secret group, then Jennifer Goodenburger

at 4 at Naselle Community Center. Donations please at the door.

November 11: Naselle Lutheran's Christmas Bazaar will be held in Naselle.

November 11-12 and 18-19: A needle art show with Darbury Denim will be available at the

Naselle Community Center for two weekends from 11-4.. It is titled: "The Sky Above Deep

River, Textiles and Thread."

December 2: FAFF Christmas Bazaar from 9-2. Vendors contact: http://www.nasellefinnfest.com.

December 3: FAFF Christmas program at Deep River Church at 1.

December 17: Lighted Christmas Parade at 4:30 along Knappton Road in Naselle.

January 27: Crab Feed at Rosburg Hall

Word for the Week: Fireplace