Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2009)
12 community september 2009 Art in the Woods Day Camp Thanks to the talent and dedication of the instructors and a grant from the Columbia County Cultural Coalition, 25 youth from the Vernonia area enjoyed a week long arts, music, drama, and dance camp July 27-31. Friends of the Scout Cabin made the facility available for the indoor activities, and Hawkins Park provided the outdoor venue. The Or- egon Sesquicentennial (Oregon 150) was central to many of the activities; even the snacks had a pioneer theme. The campers learned how to make aprons, cornhusk dolls, mason bee houses, and Indian tee- pees. They learned the art of watercolor, origami, writing with a quill pen, and playing the recorder. Folk dancing and singing also focused on the Oregon 150 theme. The high school students learned to play chamber music and developed their Shakespearean acting skills. The Friday evening performance by the stu- dents was excellent and enthusiastically received by the audience. A chamber music concert included works by Schubert and two Renaissance pieces. A scene from “Romeo and Juliet” was ex- ecuted flawlessly, and a Mozart piano and violin duet was outstanding. Choral works included French Canadian and American folk music plus a special work composed by Tom Hardy for the Oregon Trail Sesqui- centennial in 1993. The younger children played four recorder pieces including the main theme from Beethoven’s 9 th Sym- phony (“Ode to Joy.”) The entire compa- ny ended the evening with a rousing song from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance.” The Art in the Woods Camp was ably led by Carol Pelster, founder and camp administrator. The instructors were camp co-founder Rachel Hardy, Pam Monnin, Susan Ely, Katie Organ, Shellee Jole, Adam Whiting, Alberta Hardy, Ethan Hardy, and Caleb Har- dy. This is the second year the camp has been held. The Columbia County Cultural Coalition is this county’s partner in the Oregon Cultural Trust (OCT). OCT raises funds for Oregon cultural activi- ties through the sale of special license plates and pub- lic donations which can provide a tax credit to donors. For more information on the Trust, visit its website at www.culturaltrust.org. Sherlock Holmes Visits the Vernonia Grange The Greenleaf Acting Company presented two works of Victorian theater during this year’s Jamboree on the Vernonia Grange stage. On Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, this talented group of young ac- tors presented two plays. The curtain-opener was a one act comedy, “Phoebe Louise,” by Bernard Sobel. It was followed by a Sherlock Holmes play, “The Mystery of the Speckled Band,” based on the Sir Ar- thur Conan Doyle short story that was adapted and directed by Alberta Hardy. The settings were appro- priately Victorian, and the hand-made costumes were outstanding. Caleb Hardy was an excellent Sherlock Holmes with his brother Ethan equally adept as Dr. Watson. The other cast members, all from three local families, performed admira- bly: Hailey and Sierra Jole; Juliana, Maria and Anthony Pelster; and Abraham, Mar- garet, Elinore, Alberta, Boaz, and Benedicta Hardy. The Greenleaf Acting Company generously donated a quarter of the proceeds to the Verno- nia Grange in appreciation for the use of the hall. Child Care Resource and Referral Opens New Office in St. Helens Beginning July 1, 2009, Child Care Resource & Referral in Washington County and Columbia County became one service delivery area. In addition to a Hillsboro site in Washington County, an office is now open in Saint Helens to serve parents and child care providers in Columbia County. The lead agency for this new service delivery area is Com- munity Action in Washington County. Child Care Resource & Referral helps families with child care referrals and provides resources to assist parents in choosing quality child care. The program also supports providers with training and professional development. In 2007-2008, Community Action’s Child Care Resource & Referral in Washington County helped 1,336 families access quality, affordable child care and more than 1,500 provid- ers participated in 12,946 hours of train- ing in early childhood development. Child Care Resource & Referral services are available to families of all income levels. “Combining Washington County and Columbia County Child Care Re- source & Referral programs into one service district will allow resources to be streamlined while retaining full access in both counties,” said Deb- bie Burrows, Program Coordinator. The new Columbia County of- fice of Child Care Resource & Refer- ral is located inside the Employment Department at 500 N Columbia River Hwy., Saint Helens. For support services and information about monthly training opportunities, child care providers in Columbia County can call Elaine Par- sons at 503-734-5877. To be included in the program’s free provider referral database, providers can call 971-223- 6100, or the toll free number 800-624- 9516. Parents in Columbia County and Washington County seeking free child care referrals and information about quality care can call the same numbers. More information about Child Care Resource & Referral, can be found at: www.communityaction4u.org/ccrr. Senior Center Activities For September 2009 Five Area Luncheon: Held in Clatskanie this month on September 28th. Join seniors from throughout Columbia County for this monthly gathering hosted by a different community Senior Center each month. AARP Safe Driving Class: Anyone interested call Karen Miller, Senior Services at the Vernonia Senior Center 603- 429-9112. Connie’s Fabulous Breakfasts: Fabulous breakfasts are available to the public on Fridays for a cost of only $3. The event happens at the Senior Center (446 Bridge Street) from 7:00 to 9:00 AM each Friday. Meal price includes a beverage, too. Enter through the side, parking lot door. What a deal! Week Day Lunches: The Vernonia Senior Center offers nutritious and tasty lunches each weekday for only $3. These are available to the public, not just Senior Citizens. (Mealtime is noon; late arrivals may not be served.) You can reserve your lunch by calling by 11:15 AM, or further in advance if possible, to assist the cooks as they prepare the day’s meals. Maple Bars available locally!: Connie King, the cook at the Senior Center, is making maple bars each day. The maple bars are available to the public, too, and only cost $1 each. Availability is subject to quantity on hand. You can assure yourself of a good supply by pre-ordering them di- rectly from Connie by calling the Senior Center (503-429- 3912) any week day, from 7:00 AM-3:00 PM. Please allow one day lead time for larger orders. The Center’s front door opens at 9:00, but the side parking lot door opens at 7:00. Ah, sweet treats! Thrift Store: Bargain prices can be found in Vernonia’s Senior Center in their Thrift Store. The retail store is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. The Thrift Store provides funds for he Senior Center’s facility and its many activities. Donations can also be dropped off during those same hours, and donated clothes need to be clean and in good condition so they are “sales ready”. Buy locally and support your local Senior Center. Drop-offs only during store hours, please. Membership Dues: Another way to support Vernonia’s Senior Center is to pay the $10 annual membership dues. Checks may be mailed or dropped off at the Senior Center.