Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 9, 2011)
4 community bulletin board/letters to the editor august9 2011 2011 Summer Schedule Canning Class attacking, and all around play. Mon.-Wed. Have you thought about learning to can fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies or fish or game this summer? Are you an experienced canner who would like an update on the latest USDA recommendations? Then plan to attend one or more of the canning classes offered by the Columbia County Extension Service. Classes will be held at the First Lutheran Church, 360 Wyeth St., St. Helens (on the corner of N. 4th St. and Wyeth St.). Each class will cost $20.00 or $70.00 for all four. A small number of scholarships are available. Payment must be made in advance to hold your spot. Class size is limited. All classes are held on Tuesday’s form 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. August 9th, Canning Fruits and Pie Fillings August 16th, Pressure Canning Vegetables & Meats August 23rd, Canning Tomatoes and Salsa For more information and to register for classes, please call or visit the OSU Extension Service office at: 505 N. Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503- 397-3462 Volleyball Skills Clinic For girls entering sixth through ninth grades in the fall, the VHS coaching staff, along with selected returning players, will help athletes develop and improve overall performance, self-esteem, confidence, and knowledge of the game. Improve serving, passing, serve reception, setting, blocking, August 15-17, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the VHS Gym. $30.00 per player. Pre-Registration required by Aug 1st to receive a Free Camp T-Shirt. For more information please call Head Coach Teresa Williams at 503-799-3424 or email fitnessbytw@netzero,com. Vernonia Open Air Market Vernonia Open Air Market is a combination of local farm products, crafts, food and more held every Saturday June through October 1st from 10 AM - 2 PM, downtown Vernonia. “Old Grads” Picnic The annual picnic of the Vernonia Society, VHS “Old Grads” and Oregon American alumni will be held Sunday, August 21st, at Anderson Park in Vernonia. Bring your own picnic lunch or buy a hot dog and soft drink on site. Coffee will be provided. Registration begins at 10 am. All former and current Vernonians are welcome. Summer Recreational Sports Program The Vault Climbing Gym & Fitness Center in St. Helens wants to help keep kids safe and active this summer. Enroll today in their summer recreational camps for kids ages 8-13. Camp is July 26-Aug 25. Tues & Thrs from 1-4 PM. Outside activities, rock climbing, healthy snacks, sports drills. For more info 503-396-5605. Readers Lend Their Voices... To the Editor God bless you all and thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Once again this wonderful community banded together to help a family in need. As most of you know, our home burned to the ground on Saturday July 30 at 10:00 AM. We praise the lord no one was home at the time. The outpouring of love, kindness and generosity is overwhelming and humbling. We will be forever grateful to all the members of this community and Vernonia Christian Church. Within a few hours of the fire we were given an awesome three bedroom home fully furnished, with clothes and shoes and a kitchen full of food. So many of you dropped everything to come to our aid. What a wonderful thing God did when he put Vernonia on the map. Thank you again. Steve, Lois and Kane Losli Vernonia To The Editor and To All My Fellow Americans According to an article dated Sunday, July 3 2011 --”First Responders/ Health Effects - 9/11 Zadroga Health Care Law Goes Into Effect, ” by Alex Katz of the NYDailyNews.com: “It took years of lobbying and partisan bickering, but the 9/11 Zadroga Act to help ailing Ground Zero responders finally took effect today. The law provides $4.3 billion in guaranteed federal funding to cover health costs and financial compensation for emergency responders, recovery workers, volunteers, and residents who were affected by the attacks almost 10 years ago.” In his article Katz quotes Carolyn Maloney.”This is a historic milestone, not only for the more than 36,000 Americans who lost their health as a result of 9/11 and are in the program, but also for our moral obligation to care for those who rise to the defense of our nation in a time of war.” Katz also go on to explain that “the original bill’s price tag was scaled back from $7.4 billion as part of a compromise with conservatives in both parties, which allowed the legislation to pass through Congress and get President Obama’s signature in early January.” Katz then quotes NY Mayor Bloomberg in the following statement: “There’s no way to think that we can ever fully repay the thousands of first responders who fearlessly charged into the towers as others rushed out,” he added. “But we can give them the care they need and the care that they deserve.” Katz informs us that the law was named for NYPD detective James Zadroga, who died of 9/11-related illness and that the funding is set to expire in five years. Now this bill being passed made headline news all over the United States. I chose this one simple article HOW TO SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Vernonia’s Voice welcomes and requests your thoughts, opinions and ideas. Please include your name, address and phone number, limit your letters to 300 words or less. Vernonia’s Voice reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted. We will print letters, space permitting. Deadline is the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Email to: scott@vernoni- asvoice.com or mail to: Letters, PO Box 55, Vernonia, OR 97064. Upcoming Events Camp Wilkerson Day Camp, August 8-11—All Vernonia school age children are welcome. Register now—forms available at Sentry Market. Volunteer parents and student councilors needed. For more info contact Katie Poetter at 503-429-0700 or Robin Dennis at 503-429-0370. Birkfest, August 12-13—at Riverbend 202, Highway 202, past Birkenfeld. Live Music with 13+ bands including Jimmie VanZant, and Peace Frog. Camping, Vendors, Rat & Rod Revival, Bike Show and more. Tickets available at the Birkenfeld Country Store and online at thebirk.com. VRFD Golf Benefit, August 13—at the Vernonia Golf Club. 4 Player teams, 9 holes, BBQ lunch, lots of prizes and competitions. For more info call Randy Carlton at 503-791-8309. Bear Creek 10K/5K Walk/Run, August 13, 8:00 AM—at Anderson Park Pavilion in Vernonia. Registration at 8:00, race starts at 9:00 AM. Sign up at www.signmeup.com/75917. For more info contact Race Director Kellie Murray at 503-429-3021. This is a benefit for Vernonia Cares Food Bank. Vernonia Night Out, August 24, 4:30 PM—at Anderson Park. Come join friends and neighbors in support of local public safety agencies. St. Mary’s Annual Quilt and Craft Fair, September 15-18— Admission still only $1!, Lunch served daily at 11AM. At St. Mary’s Church, 960 Missouri Ave. Follow the signs. Vernonia’s Community Garage Sale, September 17, 9 AM-5 PM— Approximately 40 locations to shop! All residents and businesses who wish to be included on maps—contact Helen Bateman at 503-429- 6203. Maps available Thursday before the sale. Vernonia’s Voice is published twice each month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday. Look for our next issue August 23rd because I felt it summarized the events well, and used it to provide a brief history of what is currently being done for our Hero’s of 9/11. I feel that the fact that it took years to implement this legislation, and that there is an expiration date to this bill and to the health care now being provided for the Hero’s of 9/11 is wrong, but what is horribly wrong is what Katz did not mention that was part of the $7.4 Billion Dollar compromise cutback. Cancer is not covered under the 9/11 Zadroga Health Care Law! The First Responder’s of this Country, our United States Military (All Branches), Firefighters, Paramedics, Law Enforcement Officers, to mention only the obvious, are the only reason this country we live in is as safe and strong as it is. Without them, we would not have the protection, security, nor the Freedom we take for grated everyday. Can you imagine a life in this country without our First Responders? I cannot! While I realize that our Government has spent years doing it’s best to divide us with fear and propaganda, the one thing our Government cannot ever do is take away our Heros! Our First Responders, no matter what our Government does or does not do, will continue to do their job, regardless of pay or benefits because... many, if not most, are volunteers who put their lives out there for us daily simply because for them, it’s the right thing to do. It’s what makes them our Heros! Seemingly... and so sadly, despite our politicians statements to the contrary, our Government Officials seem to view our HERO’s as expendable. I know I do not feel that way, and I am confident that the rest of American does not feel that way either, so please support our Hero’s by taking action now on their behalf. We do have the power to make a difference, just like the men and women who save our lives and protect our freedoms do every day, by simply getting involved. How? There are many examples throughout history to help you decide which is best for you to do in order to get involved, but at a minimum, please let your voices be heard! The Brave Men & Women of this Great Country deserve nothing less for making this country in fact GREAT! Please write your Congressman and State Representatives today... the Men & Women who risked their lives on 9/11 to save ours can’t wait any longer for the health care they deserve. It’s time we Americans as a whole rush to the aide of our HERO’s! Marie Botchie Rainier, OR To the Editor, On Saturday morning, July 30th (the Saturday before Jamboree Weekend) my husband and I were enjoying ourselves, going to Saturday Market and a few yard sales around town. Just taking the day off to relax from the work and stress of the up coming week...getting ready for Jamboree. When I saw something that made me truly humble. As we were driving home, we were passing between the new West Oregon construction site and the library and what did I see?-- our Mayor, her husband and daughter sweeping the street. No one was there to see this act of service. At the time all I could think of was to yell as we drove past was “Good Job Josette!”, to which she replied with a smile and “Thank You”. Just thought I’d put that out there. Just an observation. Randal Harvey Vernonia
