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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2009)
12 community november 2009 Lions Continue to Help Flood Victims There are two things you can always count on in Vernonia-- Rain in October and the Vernonia Lions Club. The Vernonia Lions have stepped up once again, providing trailers and RV’s for Vernonia-ar- ea flood victims, especially those families who had to move out of the FEMA-provided manufactured homes in early October. Local families that were displaced by the Flood of December 2007 and are still waiting for ei- ther a buyout or home repairs to be completed were forced to leave the FEMA homes when the last six- month extension ended. The Lions, who have been providing temporary shelter for needy residents for more than a year, still had some units available, and were able to put a roof over the heads of those addi- tional families. Just in time for those October rains. According to Lions Club member George Tice, who has been coordinating this project, the Lions currently own six units that are being used to house flood victims-- four of those are now occupied by families who moved out of FEMA housing last month. Tice said it’s not just Vernonians they are helping either-- they have units placed in Mist, Clats- kanie and on Apiary Road. Tice says that this program started when the local Vernonia Lions Club used money they had re- ceived as donations to help local flood victims by purchasing two used RV’s. They have since received additional donations of used trailers and campers, bringing the total to six. “We’ve been able to help families that needed temporary shelter,” said Tice. “And when they don’t need the trailer any more, we just move it on to the next people who do.” The Lions have been responsible for handling transfers of title and registration for the units, had to clean up the units--some that may have been sitting unused for awhile-- and performed safety checks to make sure each unit was working properly and was safe for habitation. They have even taken care of re- pairs that have come up, including a leaky roof a few weeks ago-- there’s those October rains again! Tice says local Lions members have driven as far as Astoria and Mt. Hood to pick up donated units and bring them to Vernonia. “People have heard about this program and and call us up because they want to help,” said Tice. Being a Part of the Solution Parents and Communities Want to Know About A.T.O.D. Free Events What does it mean to be A.T.O.D. free? Isn’t it enough just to say, “Don’t do drugs or Don’t Drink Alcohol?” How can I help with providing safe and healthy programming in Verno- nia? The Vernonia Prevention Coali- tion in partnership the Vernonia School District is hosting “Beyond the Field” with guest speaker John Underwood on November 19th and 20th. John is a national speaker on the effects of alcohol on the perfor- mance of athletes. This two-day training is for school administra- tors, athletic directors, coaches, teachers, youth and community members. Anyone can come and be a part of this free training. Can’t make it during the day? Keep read- ing. In efforts to fulfill the Vernonia Prevention Coalition’s mission, to develop a safe and healthy neigh- borhood through collaborative planning, community action, policy advocacy and enforcement, we are going a step further. The coalition is inviting parents, grandparents, care providers and community members to an evening presenta- tion on Thursday, November 19 th , at the Vernonia Scout Cabin 5:30-7:00 PM. Refreshments will be served. Along with the presentation, time will be given to brainstorm ideas and solutions to community needs around A.T.O.D. free events. For more information, contact DeAnna Pearl, VPC Director @ (503) 369-7370 or email her at DeAnna@vernonia-or.gov. Come be a part of the Solution. New Vernonia Kiwanis Club Forming The new Vernonia Kiwanis Club is seeking 5+ new members to complete the required number of 25 members for forming the club. We need the new mem- bers to be signed up by November 9 th . The following new members are taking in applications: Sgt. Kay at the Police Station, Nicole Larke at US Bank, Marilyn Nicks at Cornerstone Naturals, and James Brookins at Vernonia High School. Anyone interested in serv- ing the children and the community of Vernonia can contact these members or Alice Robertson at 360-560- 3301 or email at robertsonalice@comcast.net. Members Shawn Baker, Mary Anderson, and Lee Anne Krause were selected to be the nominating committee for the new club at the October 26 th meeting at the high school. They will report their nominations at the next meeting on Monday, November 9 th , at 6:30 PM at the Vernonia High School Library. The library is located in the last modular unit on the right in the “Village” behind Washington Grade School. The club is planning to meet the second and fourth Mondays at Vernonia High School at 6:30 PM with snacks/desserts served. It is so very important to have a Kiwanis Club in Vernonia to sponsor the new Key Club at Vernonia High School. Division 42 Key Club Lt. Gov. Eric Red- ding from St. Helens High School came to the October 26 th meeting to share what his Key Club is doing and about the Key Leader Program that he and 3 Verno- nia HS students attended on October 9-11. He plans to return in early November to help organize the Ver- nonia Key Club which needs 15 members to Charter. All students at Vernonia are invited to join Key Club. Students should see Mrs. Hyde at the Library or Vice Principal Mr. Brookins at the Middle School Office. A meeting will be announced soon. Most exciting for Kiwanians is the Charter Night Dinner to be held at the Scout Cabin at Hawkins Park on Friday, November 20 th at 6:30 PM. We plan to celebrate the Charter of the Kiwanis Club of Vernonia and Banks Asks-- “Think You Got Talent?” Banks Performing Arts is hosting a Talent Show for the local community. “So You Think You Got Talent?” is a com- munity fun night being planned by Dian Punzel for November 14, from 7:30-9:30. Singers, Comedians, Dancers, Jugglers, Drama, Musicians-- any family-friendly entertainers from the local area are en- couraged to participate. Cost is $5 to enter and prize money will be split by the win- ners. The show was conceived as a way to provide inexpensive entertainment and fun during the winter months. Punzel says she hopes that if the event is successful, she can host it every month on the second Saturday through April. “I am still work- ing out all the details of how this could work,” she says. If everything goes well, she is hoping to have a large final show with a grand prize winner at the final April show. Banks Performing Arts is located at 14175 NW Sellers Road. For more information, or if you would like to assist Dian in or- ganizing these events, contact her at 503- 324-0112. Senior Center Activities For November 2009 Christmas Bazaar: November 14th & 15th. Tables are $10. To reserve contact Pauline at 503-429-3912. Vernonia Cares Donations: A Christmas collection box is available. Drop off your canned goods during business hours. 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 of- fers 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 directly 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 Cen- ter’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 Verno- nia’s Senior Center is to pay the $10 annual member- ship dues. Checks may be mailed or dropped off at the Senior Center. the Vernonia High School Key Club. Forming both clubs at the same time has only happened twice before in the 94 year history of Kiwanis. Vernonia is an out- standing community of volunteers! It is an amazing honor to have Kiwanis Inter- national (KI) President Paul Palozzolo from Spring- field, Illinois, present the Charter to the new Vernonia Club. Usually only the District Governor presents the charter to new clubs. KI President Elect Sylvester Neal from Auburn, Washington, Pacific Northwest District (PNW) Governor Patrick Ewing from Victoria, BC, PNW Governor Elect Frank Morehouse from Beaver- ton, Oregon, will attend as well. Kiwanians from many clubs in the Greater Portland area are planning help cel- ebrate the first new club formed in the 2009-2010 year which starts October 1. SATURDAY Saturday November 14th April 12th Texas Hold 'Em Tournament AT the Buckhorn Restaurant Registration Tournamant play play starts starts at at 6pm 6pm Registration at at 5:30pm, 5:30pm, Tournamant 50% Local Charities. Charities. 50% of of fees go to Local $40 buy-in with $20 re-buy. 35 Player Limit - Sign-up Now! Cash Card Prize Payouts! To information contact: contact: To register register or or for more information George Tice Tice 429-3751 or George or Aaron Aaron Miller Miller 429-6049. 429-6049. Presented by the Vernonia Lions Club