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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2009)
welcome november from the editor... 2009 3 As I write this, my hometown Philadelphia to know adults as real people. It was interesting for Phillies are getting ready to start play in the World me, and eye-opening, to watch during homecoming Series and defend their title against the New York as students and teachers interacted together. Yankees. As you read this, the World Series may We have many wonderful people working in already be over, and the phate of the Phils may have and around our schools, people who are engaged in already been decided. But I have to say this any- the lives of our students and engaged in our commu- way-- Go Phillies!! nity-- people like Kathi Fetch, Teri Willard, James And, since this edition of Vernonia’s Voice Brookins and Barb Carr-- wonderful people who re- was scheduled to be printed on Tuesday, November ally help make this community a special place. Publisher and Managing Editor 3, as you read this, the fate of the Vernonia School Hopefully, Vernonia will find a way to build Scott Laird Bond Election will already have been decided. new schools, so our students can continue to have 503-367-0098 scott@vernoniasvoice.com As most of you know, I have been in full these meaningful experiences and create these won- support of passing the school bond, for a number of derful memories right here in their hometown. I just Contributors reasons. For one, as a business owner in this com- can’t imagine a Vernonia without Homecoming, art April Bamburg munity, it makes sense. But more importantly, as classes, exchange students and teachers. Nancy Burch someone who cares about living in a vibrant and Kim Camarda News Editor interesting place, I have learned over the last few *** *** *** Mackenzie Carr Scott Laird years, and especially this past month, just how im- Brandy Fosdick portant our schools really are. I have recently had the chance to reconnect Ben Fousek When I moved here almost seven years ago, with some old friends through Facebook-- friends I Copy Editor Jill Hult I didn’t pay much attention to the schools-- I didn’t haven’t seen or talked to in almost thirty years. It’s Dennis Nicks Heather Lewis have any kids and I didn’t really see how schools been fun to find out what they are up to and see pho- PJ O’Leary impacted me, personally. But since starting a news- tos of their families and activities. OK, nothing too Photography Erika Paleck paper here in town, I’ve had a chance to get more earth-shattering there. What I do find interesting is, Scott Laird DeAnna Pearl engaged in the day-to-day activities of our schools. as much as we think we’ve changed, most of us are Maggie Peyton Randy Sanders I’ve developed relationships with teachers and ad- still very much the same. Thirty years later, the girl April Bamburg Sonia Spackman Burt Tschache ministrators and coaches, gotten to know students who was flirty in high school is still flirty. The guy and watched them participate in activities, had a who was confident and pushy is still a salesman. chance to observe some of the programs like art and The guy who was really into music is still into mu- band, and had to follow and understand the politics sic. The jocks are still jocks and the artsy types are and budget process that is part of the yearly school still artsy-- for the most part. And the guy who used cycle. I’ve had a chance to see the important role to root for the Phillies is still rooting for the Phillies. Want to advertise? Contact: ads@vernoniasvoice.com our schools, and the people who work there and run Another thing about Facebook-- it’s a great Have an article? them, play, not just in our children’s lives, but in the and safe place to have an ongoing debate. I recently Contact: news@vernoniasvoice.com lives of our community as a whole. joined in on a discussion about the Vernonia School During October, I was around the schools Bond, and had a chance to go back and forth with PO Box 55 a lot, covering Homecoming Week activities and I some folks with an opposite point of view. It was Vernonia, OR 97064 503-367-0098 saw firsthand just how vital and important-- and fun- great because I got to hear some interesting argu- - our schools are-- for our students, for their parents ments against passing the school bond, and had www.VernoniasVoice.com and other adults, and for the teachers. It was fun a chance to tell my side-- all over the course of a to watch the kids get a little crazy and show their week. I enjoyed being able to have that ongoing spirit during Air Jams; to watch the Lady Loggers, dialogue-- even if none of both JV and Varsity, win exciting volleyball match- us convinced anyone to Residential Rental Grou-, LLC es during Pack the Gym Night; see Homecoming change their mind. is a wull service -ro-erty man- Queen Souvanny Miller wear her crown all week One last thing agement com-any now doing and see escort Levi Timmerman carry Princess Katy about Facebook: One business in Vernonia. Our Stevens across that huge puddle as the court was of the things I really en- mission is to hel- -eo-le find introduced at half time of the football game; and joy about publishing quality rentals and owners find watch the Loggers show so much heart in coming Vernonia’s Voice is tak- quality renters. We -ride back to tie that Homecoming football game, only to ing photographs of com- ourselves on our committment lose in double overtime. Those are memories those munity events. The big- and quality ow service. It is our kids will have for the rest of their lives-- and that gest problem I have each goal to make the rental ow your adults in the community share with each other as month is narrowing down -ro-erty as sim-le and stress well. the choices and deciding wree as -ossible. I also had a chance to meet and interview which ones to publish. I our six foreign exchange students, young adults usually have six or eight who will be making Vernonia their home for the or eighteen photos I really next year. These students come here each year from like, and space for only 2 bed, 1 bath approx. 1335 sp. ft. various countries and continents to live with us, two or three. Well, I’ve $850 rent, $800 deposit sharing their lives and experiences and sharing in found a solution. Last 191 B Street, Vernonia ours as well. What a great opportunity for all of us, month, I started a Verno- Cozydcottagedwithdbeautifuldupdatesd nia’s Voice Facebook page and especially our students, to experience life in an- throughout.ddCovereddfrontdporch.ddCustomd other culture and to make friends they could never where I can publish all the paint,dcrowndmolding,dlaminatedflooring.dd Spaciousdkitchendandddiningdnook.ddLotsdofd best photos I’ve taken have met any other way. cabinetdspace,dalldappliances.ddWasher/Dryerd I have very fond memories of my high from community events. hookup.ddPartiallydfenceddbackdyard.ddUnfin- school years, of things my friends and I did. But I A number of you have al- isheddatticdspacedfordstorage.ddCarport. also don’t remember much about the adults in my ready found it and seem community. I only knew the parents of a few of my to be enjoying it. Hope- 3 bed, 1 bath approx. 1100 sq.ft. closest friends, and only then in passing. I don’t fully, I will be able to up- $995 rent, $800 deposit ever remember thinking about my teachers as real date it soon after interest- 378 Main Street, Banks people-- people with lives outside of school, people ing Vernonia happenings Singledleveldhomedondlargedlot.ddGreatdfloord like the Halloween Parade with families, with other interests. plan.ddSliderdleadingdtodfenceddbackdyard.dd Small rural communities are unique that and Christmas Lighted Newdcarpet,dlaminatedfloorsdanddpaintd throughout.ddWasher/Dryerdhookup.dd way. Because our schools fill such a vital role as Truck Parade, so you can Singledcardgarage.ddBanksdElementary,d the cornerstone of so much that happens here, our see what you’ve been up MiddledanddHighdSchools. students have an opportunity to be more engaged to! in the community. We have students engaged in In Vernonia, more information available at 859 Bridge St. or contact: Laird our community and student leadership programs, Scott Jeana Cole (503) 844-7480 students selling yearbook ads to local businesses, Editor and Publisher www.ResidentialRentalGroup.com students and adults volunteering in our parks and 855 NE 25th Ave, Hillsboro, OR 97124 watching sporting events together-- students getting jeana.cole@ResidentialRentalGroup.com PROPERTIES AVAILABLE IN THE VERNONIA AREA