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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 22, 2011)
community Mission To Haiti: clinic and helping at the local school, seeing first-hand the damage and devastation as well as the resilient spirit of the Haitian people. Alleggra, who turned twelve just a week before leaving for Haiti, is in sixth grade and is home-schooled. She traveled to Haiti with family friend Nicole Miller and Nicole’s father-in- law Frank Miller. The three Vernonians went to Haiti representing the Vernonia Christian Church and joined forty other Americans from all around the United States for a week of work at the Mission. After originally raising the $1,000 Alleggra knew she wanted to go and see Haiti first hand. “I knew I was going to go to Haiti and I knew I was going to go on a mission trip,” says Alleggra, “I just didn’t know when and I didn’t know it was going to be this soon.” When the opportunity to join the group was presented Alleggra jumped, even though her parents were a little concerned about letting her go without them. “My mom ended up being OK with it, it was my dad who really wasn’t sure—I thought it was going to be the other way around,!” said Alleggra. The Mission is in the town of Peredo, a six hour bus drive from the Airport. According to Alleggra, who has been following the recovery in Haiti fairly closely, things have not changed much since the earthquake. “When we were driving through Port-O-Prince from the airport to the Mission, it was just so sad; everything was ruined and destroyed and nothing has been fixed,” says Alleggra. “And I don’t think it ever will be fixed.” The Mission includes a health clinic, three school buildings, and a In Memory of... resided there since. Bob and Frances celebrated over 35 years of marriage together. Among his special interests during his early years, Bob enjoyed photography, showing dogs in shows, and participating in rally races. His later years, Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing and the outdoors. He was also an avid crossword puzzler. Bob has a great sense of humor and loved practical jokes. He was proud to have reached 15 sobriety birthdays. Bob was preceded in death by his father, Ralph J. Hendrix; and his stepson, Shawn Phipps. Survivors include his wife, Frances Hendrix, of Vernonia, Oregon; his son, Kelly Hendrix, of Vernonia, Oregon; his mother, Hazel Hendrix, of Coffeyville, Kansas; his brothers 2011 19 continued from front page kitchen and dormitories for the workers who visit. Alleggra was the youngest in the group and the only youth traveling alone-- there was one thirteen year old and two sixteen year olds—all three of them were traveling with their parents. “Everyone there just watched over white.” Alleggra says she spent a lot of time working in the clinic. The staff taught her to perform blood pressure readings, and she also held a lot of babies while the mothers were being seen in the clinic. She was able to observe the me—I didn’t even ask them to, they just did,” says Alleggra. Alleggra really enjoyed working with the children. “They love school— they wish it was held every day. They love the attention!,” she says. She taught them games—one of their favorites was Duck, Duck, Goose. Because of the language barrier, (Haitians speak Creole, a mix of French vocabulary and West African grammar) Alleggra is still not sure the children even really understood the rules. “They loved that game but then they would all just chase each other. We tried relay races but they all just wanted to run at the same time!” She taught the kids a few English words and learned a few words in Creole. “Really, the only three English words they know is ‘what’s your name?’ They couldn’t pronounce my name—they mostly called me ‘Blanc’-which means doctors working and also helped in the pharmacy. She worked with several people suffering from potentially life threatening illnesses, and saw some of them receive treatments that helped them recover. Alleggra says she would like to become a doctor or work in the medical field as a career. Alleggra brought an extra suitcase full of gifts to give away, including toys, baby food, diapers and children’s vitamins. One of the favorites was a rubber playground ball. Alleggra also brought two big bags of candy. On the last day the children were told if they picked up garbage they could have a handful, because there is no garbage collection and it is just dumped in the street. “They filled up a big garbage bag, full, just for a couple pieces of candy!,” she says. She also says she left most of her extra clothing when she returned Made In Vernonia Shop is Open continued from front page “This started off as an extension of the Open Air Market to give the crafters another resource during the winter months,” says Larsen. It has since expanded to other local crafters who might not have enough of a product line to have a table at the market, as well as a few crafters who have some direct tie to Vernonia. The store features only handmade items from local artists or crafters. november22 The store opened on November rd 3 and will stay open at least through the end of the holiday shopping season. “It depends on the turnout, response and whether we have products to sell,” says Larsen. “We might just try to keep it going.” Larsen has envisioned a store front on the main street of downtown that featured locally handmade items— this seemed to be a great way to test the concept and gauge the response “If it were to continue it would need to be a co-op type arrangement and we would take turns keeping it open,” says Larsen. Right now the store has limited hours. So far Larsen says the response has been “awesome.” The store features items such as leather wallets from Gretchen’s Saddlery; air brushed tee shirts from Infinite Energy Works Apparel; signs, toy wood guns, wooden tree ornaments and bird houses made by the Ely family from locally reclaimed barn wood; all kinds of lavender products from Mosquito Lodge Lavender Farm as continued from page 18 well as photo cards of local Vernonia scenes; scarves, yoga socks and and sisters in law, Jim and Marilyn ornaments from Little Tatting Lady; Hendrix, Bruce and Theresa Hendrix, as well as local farm produce like all of Coffeyville, Kansas; his sisters eggs, garlic and honey, and much, and brothers in law, Pat Alexander, Janet much more. and Jerry Thomas, Connie and Darrell In addition there are a couple Jaggers, all of Coffeyville, Kansas. fundraising items including an item Also surviving are two called a “Grangedana” which can grandchildren, and numerous nieces and be worn as a headband, a hat or a nephews. cowl—funds go towards projects at The family suggests that the Vernonia Grange. remembrances may be contributions There are also Vernonia tree to the Community Home Health and ornaments for sale from the Chamber Hospice, PO Box 2067, Longview, of Commerce—these are limited Washington 98632, in his memory. edition Vernonia Treasured Scenes To send condolences to the designed and signed by Evelyn family or to sign the online guestbook Keenon. please visit www.fuitenrosehoyt.com Everything is reasonably priced Fuiten, Rose &Hoyt Funeral and there are all kinds of great Home-Vernonia is in charge of the stocking stuffers , as well as great arrangements. (503) 429-6611. Vernonia style gifts for everyone. home. Obviously life is very different in Haiti. The first night she was there Alleggra says someone caught a seven inch tarantula spider. She also woke up one morning and noticed movement in her clothing bag--it turned out to be a huge cockroach. Other differences that made an impression on Alleggra: the joyful singing in church each week and by the children in school; traveling by Tap Tap-- brightly painted small buses or pickup trucks that act as shared taxis; the dangerous way everyone drives (“None of the cars have side mirrors— they’ve all been torn off because they drive so close!,” she says); all the garbage in the streets and the size of the pigs that scrounge through the piles of garbage. For Alleggra, this trip has the potential to be life altering. “I look at things very differently now,” says Alleggra. “We are very fortunate here. Some people have said to me, ‘We have children here who are starving and need help,’ but we have food banks where they can go, like Vernonia Cares. In Haiti they have nothing.” The opportunity to actually travel to Haiti and see it with her own eyes, was very unique. “I was able to see where the money I raised went and how it has helped—at the clinic and the schools,” says Alleggra. “It was really cool to see all that they have done.” Alleggra says she intends to return to Haiti—she told her mother she was going back the first night she was home. “I want to go back within the next two years,” she says. There is still room for more local crafters and artists who might be interested. What a great way to support local artists and crafters! Made in Vernonia is open Thursdays from 4-6 PM, Saturdays from 10-4, Sundays from 12-4 and by appointment. They will also be open on Friday November 25 th . For more information contact Kathy Larsen at 503-449-3591.
