in other words
By Lynn Berry
In my earlier years, out of college,
goal-oriented, and living in large suburbia
and cities, tax and work deadlines determined
the seasons for me. The hustle and bustle
of meaningless self-created “critical” tasks
kept me from experiencing the modest,
but essential, moments that create genuine
awareness and growth. Now a mom, living in
a small town, school schedules unexpectedly
seem to define the seasons. In the fall, for
example, one can’t help but to notice the
local stores stocked with bright colored
school supplies, and the once-vacant summer
crosswalks are filled with fresh batches of
school children bursting through the crisp air,
heading toward their futures. In the spring,
the scattering of graduation announcements
begin to arrive in the mail, and the sun begins
to warm the sidewalks as school children now
gingerly walk towards the end of the
school year, dreaming of summer.
In the poem below, written by
renown poet Linda Pastan, a nostalgic
moment in the lives of one class of
high school students is used to explore
the transitions of life that we all take
as we age, for better or worse, as we
become what our experiences and
decisions have produced—our own
unique self.
25th High School Reunion
We come to hear the endings
of all the stories
in our anthology
of false starts:
how the girl who seemed a
as hard as nails
was hammered into shape;
how the athletes ran
out of races;
how under the skin
our skulls rise
to the surface
like rocks in the bed
of a drying stream.
Look! We have all
turned into
ourselves.
------Linda Pastan
Wauna FCU’s 45 th Annual
Meeting continued from page 17
milestones during the year, including
the Silver LEED Certification presented
to the green-built Scappoose Branch
and important decisions which helped
the Credit Union perform well despite
the challenges of the economy.
Hansen
also
recognized
outgoing board members Ed Serra and
Milton Parham, in addition to informing
the membership that he had chosen to
retire from the board after serving three
years.
Results from the annual
election by the membership included the
reelection of incumbents Erlene Darby,
Clatskanie (1-year term) and Debbie
Huffman, Astoria (3-year term), plus
the election of Julie Gassner, Astoria
(3-year term), Bill DeJager, Clatskanie
(2-year term), and Philip Lager, Warren
(3-year term) to the board. At a later
meeting of the Board of Directors,
George Dunkel, Scappoose, was
selected Chair, Erlene Darby, 1st Vice
Chair, Lester Kahr, 2nd Vice Chair,
Don McDaniel, Finance Officer, and
Debbie Huffman, Secretary. Additional
members of the Board of Directors
include Paul Lewicki, Astoria.
At the conclusion of the
business meeting numerous prizes were
awarded to the attending membership,
including a $500 cash grand prize to
Colleen Scherer of Scappoose.
Wauna Federal Credit Union is
headquartered in Clatskanie, Oregon,
has total assets exceeding $140 Million
and serves over 15,000 members.
Branches are located in Astoria,
Clatskanie, St Helens, Scappoose,
Vernonia, and Warrenton, Oregon.
Anyone that resides, is employed,
attends school or worships, or is a
business or qualifying organization in
Clatsop or Columbia Counties, Oregon,
or Pacific County, Washington, or is
related to a current member, is eligible
for membership with Wauna FCU. For
more information please call toll-free
800-773-3236 or visit our Web site at
waunafcu.org. -
Phone (503) 429.2617
Kitchen Countertops
Fax (503) 429.0941
Fireplace & Furniture
ABSOLUTE@AGALIS.NET
Tubs & Vanities
www.absolutemarbleandgraniteinc.net
may8
2012
19
---Writer’s Idea: In the poem above,
what do you suppose is meant by “in our
anthology / of false starts” (3,4)? Write
how this idea could relate to your high
school class.
---Writer’s Tip: Interpret what is meant by
the lines, “how under the skin / our skulls
rise / to the surface / like rocks in the bed /
of a drying stream” (10-14). Create a similar
analogy into your writing. We all inspire
and learn from one another.
---Please send your original submissions to,
(or if you would like a copy of any of the
published poems) InkwellVernonia@gmail.
com or by mail: PO Box 333 Vernonia,
OR 97064. Please include your name
and contact information. Write--Express--
Expand.
Lynn Berry holds an M.A. in English,
specializing in feminist literature and literary
criticism. She has spent several years teaching
Literature, Composition, Poetry, Creative
Writing, and Critical Thinking at various school
districts and colleges, and occasionally provides
writing workshops.
VERNONIA’S BIGGEST LOSER 2012
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Need sotje
beginning May 8th
tjotivation,
$25 and a 12-week
accountability &
committjent.
encouragetjent?
Vernonia’s Biggest
Loser is back!
Vernonia Christian
Church
410 North Street
Need tjore info find us on Facebook or contact Trish Maldonado 503-866-7362
