If you have lived in Winlock for years then you know this wonderful couple who have been married for 65 years on December 14, 2022. Gary and JoAnne Parkison have been a part of Winlock for many decades, raising their family here and volunteering in the community. Gary and JoAnne have been a staple at the Olequa Senior Center, JoAnne working, and both of them volunteering throughout the years.

JoAnne was born August 24, 1940 in Alison, Colorado, on her Grandfather's farm. She grew up in a bilingual home, with Spanish being her first language. She moved with her father and three out of four siblings from Alison to Aberdeen when she was 11 years old.

On Saturday, December 3, The City of Vader Parks Department put on the O'Christmas Tree Bazaar. They had many vendors, decorations as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus. When Vader does an event, they do it with gusto! Left to right: Elf Helper Celestine, Santa, Mrs. Clause, and Elf Helper Dadrin.

It seems like just yesterday that Harold Sorensen turned 95, now he is turning 100 years old and a celebration is underway. Please join the family on Saturday, December 3 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Toledo Senior Center located at 150 Coal Street in Toledo. Turning 100 years old is an accomplishment, but more importantly, Harold has been a patriarch for the entire family, not just his immediate family.

Winter in Toledo includes many events planned for the community. Come celebrate the holiday season in Toledo.

First events for kids are brought to you by Mike and Di Morgan who are once again hosting Santa's Workshop at the Morgan Arts Centre at 190 Plomondon Road in Toledo. It's for kids 5 and older who like to make things, and it's free. Children must come with a parent or adult and together they will make Christmas gifts for their friends and family on Sunday, December 4 from 1:00 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. Space is limited so sign up early. Call Di at 360-864-4278.

The City of Vader Parks Board is excited to be hosting its first Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Bazaar Event.

"I'm really excited to have all of our communities come down and enjoy a small town holiday celebration with some Christmas lights," said Kelly Schey from the Vader Parks Board. "Buying a cup of hot cocoa helps support the parks program and shopping from a local vendor helps our community members! Plus the kids will get a free stocking surprise as well!"

Many of us understand the meaning of Thanksgiving and where it came from, the original pilgrims eating with the native Americans. The 1612 Harvest Feast shared by English colonists (Pilgrims) and the Wampanoag People (native Americans) was how Thanksgiving started. The American holiday is rich in legend and symbolism, and the traditional Thanksgiving meal typically includes turkey, bread stuffing, potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie.

It is not clearly known if they were eating turkey or other type of fowl, since it was more prevalent to kill what you ate that day so, it could have been ducks or geese. Approximately 90 or some Native Americans arrived and brought venison and other food, which could have also included fish, eels, shellfish, stews, vegetables and beer.

Around 7:25 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8, Winlock Fire and Rescue were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 104 SE Front Street in downtown Winlock. The Haunted Hostel, one of the last historic buildings left in the downtown area, was on fire.

The national, state and local elections were held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 and the prediction of a red wave did not occur. On a national level the Republicans seem to have taken the House and the Democrats the Senate. If this does not explain the divide in the country I don't know what does.

On the state level, Patty Murray surpassed Tiffany Smiley to keep her seat. Murray is leading with 56.99% of the vote versus Smiley's with 42.79%. Next, the 3rd Congressional District seat.

Veterans Day is this Friday, November 11. There are several different programs throughout the week put on by our local Veterans of Foreign Wars out of Winlock.

Veterans Day is a tribute to military veterans who have served in the US Arms Forces, those still alive and those killed in our country's wars. This observance originated in 1919 on the first anniversary of the 1918 armistice that ended World War 1 and was known at that time as Armistice Day. It was commemorated in 1921 with the burial of an unknown soldier from World War I at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Virginia. Arlington Cemetery is a cemetery like none other.

On Wednesday, November 2 at 8:40 a.m., the Centralia Police Department was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of S. Pearl St. for a reported 26-year-old found unconscious and not breathing by his roommate. The male was declared deceased by the medics present, there were signs it was a drug overdose.

They started a Controlled Homicide Investigation that was immediately initiated by Centralia PD Detectives. Due to the suspicion of fentanyl, assistance from the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) was requested.