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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (March 8, 2011)
community march8 2011 7 Happy Trails: A Report From the Rodeo Road Mackenzie Carr Miss Rodeo Oregon 2011 Hello again! Since my last article I have been quite the jet setter. My time in San Antonio, Texas on January 18th through February 2nd was amazing. I attended the Miss Rodeo Texas Clinic, spent time with Miss Rodeo Texas Celesta Harvey, and ate a lot of Tex- Mex. During the clinic, I was given tips on how to improve and prepare for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. A few of the girls and I visited The Alamo and the Riverwalk in San Antonio. I truly enjoyed my stay while I was there and hope to visit the many friends I made very soon. On February 2nd, I flew from San Antonio to Rapid City, South Dakota. I had the pleasure of not only going through the full body scanner in the San Antonio airport, but I also was treated to a full pat down. I must have looked especially suspicious, because they even searched through my hair. I found it quite comical, as did the rest of the people in the airport security line. Thankfully upon arriving in Rapid City, I just missed the negative temperatures they were experiencing. I spent the next few days touring around South Dakota and attending the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo. The other state queens and I attended the rodeo and helped at many sponsor events. Thank you to Sutton Rodeo for providing the horses and for all of your kindness throughout the week. I also had the opportunity to visit Mt. Rushmore and make many fond, unforgettable memories with all of the other girls. Once I returned home on February 6th, I was back in the swing of things the next weekend. On February 12th, I attended the Molalla Buckaroo Cowboy Ball. Close to 600 people and I braved the extreme wind gusts underneath a large tent in downtown Molalla. I honestly thought the tent was going to come down at least three or four times. Apparently securing the tent to water barrels and two pickup trucks was not enough. J Congratulations to Jeanine Johnson on becoming the new Miss Molalla Buckaroo and best wishes on your upcoming year. After Molalla, I was once again found in the airport. I flew to Kissimmee, Florida on Valentine’s Day for the Silver Spurs Rodeo. It was so nice to experience warm weather again! The 20 other state queens and I began the week visiting numerous schools throughout the Kissimmee area. I was asked by a little girl in kindergarten, “Are there porcupines at the rodeo?” Kids definitely say the darnedest things. As the week progressed, I had the opportunity to go on my first hog hunt. While traipsing through the swamps at night, our dogs caught a hog’s scent. They chased it near a canal separating the swamp from a local housing development. The hog tried to escape by swimming across the canal and seeking refuge in some man’s backyard. The two boys who were helping us on the hunt, swam after the hog and caught it in the man’s yard. We hopped in the truck and drove over to meet them in the housing development as fast as we could. When we arrived, we found the two boys being held at gunpoint by the local police. Apparently, the homeowner thought Vernonian Named Eagle Scout 2011 Vernonia Lake Trout Stocking by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Vernonia resident Drew Cheney has been awarded the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scout Program, Eagle Scout. Cheney, who is just thirteen years old, represents Troop #860 in Vernonia. Cheney cleared Alder trees at the Tillamook Forestry Center as his Eagle Scout Project. Cheney is a third generation Eagle Scout—both his grandfathers are Eagle Scouts, and so is his father, as well as numerous uncles and many cousins. In fact, his mother believes he is the twentieth Eagle Scout in the immediate family. Congratulations to Drew Cheney! March 7 3,500 Rainbow March 14 4,000 Rainbow April 11 3,000 Rainbow May 2 2,500 Rainbow Stocking dates subject to change without notice Boy Scout Drew Cheney, 13, from Vernonia Troop #860, is a third generation Eagle Scout. Upgrades Underway at Columbia County Courthouse A new construction project has begun to upgrade the Columbia County Courthouse and Annex in St. Helens, OR. The historic courthouse was built in 1906. The project will enhance the life safety system and bring HVAC up to higher energy efficiency. The improvements and upgrades include installing a fire alarm and sprinkler system, and replacing the HVAC system, boiler and new controls system. The projects, funded by federal and state stimulus funds, will be completed in early fall. Ethos Project Management is leading the project team, which includes LRS Architects, Interface Engineering, PBS Environmental, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services and Columbia County. we were poachers. Miss Rodeo Florida marched over and explained what was going on. They let everyone go and even let us keep the hog. I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard or experienced anything even close to this. The following day we went on an airboat ride, saw some gators, and went to the beach. With the weekend came the rodeo. I rode a great big red horse named Junior. I would have taken him home with me if I could have fit him in my luggage. I was reluctant to fly back home on Monday the 21st. I didn’t want to leave the warm weather only to return to the snow. Thank you to everyone who made my Florida trip special; I had the time of my life! During the last weekend in February, I helped out at the Miss Rodeo Oregon Cowgirls and Crowns Clinic and supported my best friend and 2011 Miss NPRA Shalaina Joiner at her coronation. It was a long, but wonderful day and I am so glad I got to support Shalaina on her special evening. I would like to thank my family and all of my local sponsors for all of your help. Thank you to Vernonia Florist, Wauna Federal Credit Union, Spiralz Salon, Black Bear Coffee Shop, the Vernonia Lions, Mike Pihl Logging, the Natal Grange, Valley Veterinary Clinic, Delemos Light and Heavy Equipment, and the many other Vernonia individuals who have supported me. I am so thankful to have such amazing people in my life and I am truly grateful for your kindness. Until next time... Go online for more information DairyCreekFarm.com or Call Debi & David 503-324-7819 Shares are limited so don’t delay! Now Available at Sentry Market Made with fresh ingredients in Vernonia Not just a salad dressing Delicious as a dip for wings & vegies Try it on chicken or steak An experience you should not miss! C ommunity S upported A griculture Come Join Our CSA! Pre-pay for a weekly share of fresh locally grown produce for the season. Full or partial shares available. Pick up options are the farm, at a local farmers’ market or home direct.
