Downriver Dispatches

It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here, have, thus far, so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. — Abraham Lincoln

Happy Presidents’ Day

I was happy to start Monday with KMUN playing “Lincoln’s Portrait” by Aaron Copland with Eugene Ormandy conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra and Adlai Stevenson narrating. I remember Adlai Stevenson from the days when he was running against Dwight Eisenhower and lost twice. Adlai was a very good writer and orator but who could win against a hero like Ike? My grandmother adored Ike and had his photo in the kitchen along with Jesus and Billy Graham, so you can imagine how I was influenced as a child in politics and religion. Just above the stove, she looked at them when she needed to stir anything a long time.

School Levy Results

As of last Wednesday, 62 percent of voters in Pacific County voted in support of the new levy. Hope it is the same for Wahkiakum County voters. Courthouse closed today so couldn’t get the numbers.

Karen recommends

Zimmerman’s CSA boxes are available now in Cathlamet and Clatskanie. Sign up now for your certified organic veggie box from Glory B Farms in Grays River. Go to their website for links to the sign up forms. They provide a full 23-week season, a 12-week half season, and monthly options. If you have any questions contact April at 360-465-2168, or check out their site at glorybfarmscsa.com.

Friends, if you have a chance to drive by the Zimmerman’s gardens, please do so. Their produce is so bright colored and fun to watch change through the seasons. Their strawberries and raspberries are drop dead ripe with fantastic taste the store bought berries can’t match ever.

Postponed Brownsmead Flats

So sorry that the Brownsmead Flats folks had to postpone their concert in Naselle last Sunday. It sounds like the problem was Covid so it’s a good thing to wait a bit before trying again. New Choir in Naselle: Remember how fun the “old” Finn Fest Choir was? Now there is a new director who wants to get the choir ready for this summer’s “Mini Finn Fest” in July. It’s so exciting to see folks getting excited about the “Mini Fest.” We’ve missed these fun Finn events!

New from Finn Fest

March 2: New choir starting up. 2-4 p.m. Email choir@nasellefinnfest.com.

March 9: Painting party with Abbie Mumley at Naselle Community Center 2 p.m. 360-484-3602 or bibs40@hotmail.com.

June 22: Finlandia Performers of the Year, Ida Metsberg and Eppi Urson (2022)

June 29: Midsummer “Juhannus” Dinner and Live Music with Emily Randolph and the Sunnyside

July 26: Toby Hanson and the ‘Smilin’ Scandinavians Dinner Dance

July 27: Mini Finn Fest—Storytellers, Performance and minii-Tori

Feb 22: Irene Martin at 1 p.m., Appelo Archives Center.

Feb. 29: Gary Anderson and Nick Nikkila at 2 p.m., Appelo Archives Center

Calendar

Mondays/Wednesdays: Balance Class Naselle Community Center 3-4 p.m.

Second Monday: American Legion at Rosburg Hall, meal at 6 p.m. Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesdays: Naselle Lutheran Church: quilters in morning/knitters in afternoons.

Third Tuesday: Naselle/GRV School Board 6:30 p.m. Next: Feb. 20 at School Library.

Wednesdays: AA at Grays River Grange, noon.

Second Wednesday of the month: Grays River Flood Control District at Fire Hall 5:30 p.m.

First and third Wednesdays each month: RCC Senior Lunch at Rosburg Hall on Feb. 21.

Thursdays every week: CAP senior lunches at noon at Rosburg Hall. Joel Fitts recommends it.

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

February 24: Memorial Reception for Dale Dutcher at Rosburg Hall, 1-4 p.m.

Feb. 28: Conservation Group Sponsored by Dan Cothren at 10 a.m. Courthouse on 3rd floor.

April 7: Memorial service for Darlene Bjornsgard at Naselle school. Time TBD.

Word for the week: Gardens.