Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (July 10, 2012)
welcome Thank You, Vernonia By Bill Langmaid As Committee Chair for the Last Chance Dance I had an impossible task. Organize a three part event that would adequately commemorate everything that WGS and VHS mean to this community, but do it in two months and without any prior experience. But heck, this is Vernonia, and we don’t seem to understand that some things are impossible. Fortunately I had an incredible team of people step forward to shoulder some of the load. I received guidance from the board of the Vernonia Education Foundation and the VSD district office staff. I was lucky when I mentioned the event to Janean Zavales, because she jumped at the chance to do it. A natural choice for dance organizer was Lisa Edgar, as she was coming off two successes in the VHS Winter Formal and Prom. Mark Brown, Carol Senn, Julie Ramsey, Doris Bucholz, plus all the teachers, aides, and administrators: I did this in your buildings, and it wouldn’t have happened without your full cooperation and tolerance. You have had an amazingly complex task this spring, and I know I made it more difficult. Thank you for allowing that to happen. The ladies that run Hands on Art helped me immensely with the organization and logistics for the auction. With over 80 pieces it was a herculean task, and they made it look easy. Thank you Barb Larsen, Tobie Finzel, Randal Harvey, Diana Peach and Erika Paleck for everything. A special thank you to Dawn Plews and Pam Weller for helping cashier the event. Thank you to Dee Way, cheer coach, for recruiting her new team to our cause. Our students are the best in the state, and volunteerism is one way they show it. When asked to help, all I heard in reply was “Sure, tell me what to do.” Parents, be very proud of them. Thank you Alexis Baska and Amanda Mikalow for making sure things went smoothly. A big thank you to Doran Lower, our Digital Arts teacher, who helped with producing the posters and tickets for the event. Tasia Pond, your poster design was fantastic, thank you! And Rebecca Wright, thank you for helping create the event program despite my horrible procrastination. Janean put together an excellent meal plan, executed by Sheril McWhirter with the assistance of Cedar Ridge Conference Center. Carol Sohler and Britt and Larry Steele were amazingly helpful, even offering up their supplies to ensure our success. Lisa did an amazing job decorating the gym, even making a welcome sign for the school entrance, with the help of her family plus Kelsey Brown and Kim Allen. Another special thank you to Senator Johnson, who not only made it to the event at the end of a long and wet day, but also recruited Mark Kuhn as our auctioneer and provided invaluable assistance to me in the final days of preparation. Senator, you are a class act. I also need to thank my wife, Rachel. Without her support none of this would have been possible. Thanks too to everyone who felt this was a worthwhile way to spend an evening. We raised over $10,000 for the Vernonia Education Foundation, but more importantly we once again showed unity as a community. We might be losing some buildings, but that won’t change who we are. The smiles that evening in the halls of Washington Grade School were a testament to that character. There are many people that helped that I have not named. Partially because I don’t particularly enjoy reading lists of names in a newspaper, but also because I’d inevitably forget someone, and then I’d feel bad about that. So, I end with thank yous to Sharon Bernal, who thought she was merely coming for dinner, and to Tommy Sherman, for the sound system and entertainment during the meal. The multitude of talented and willing volunteers made it fun for all of us. july10 2012 3 Publisher and Managing Editor Scott Laird 503-367-0098 scott@vernoniasvoice.com Contributors Lynn Berry Mark Brown Victoria Guerrero Jill Hult Bill Langmaid Dr. Carol McIntyre Karen Miller Gayle Rich-Boxman Wolfgang Rotbart Triangle GIS, LLC Photography Jill Hult Scott Laird Julie Prohaska Gayle Rich-Boxman Want to advertise? Have an article? Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com One year subscriptions (24 issues) $35 Vernonia’s Voice is published on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Vernonia’s Voice, LLC PO Box 55 Vernonia, OR 97064 503-367-0098 www.VernoniasVoice.com Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7 Lady’s Night Wed 5-12 “STILL BIKER FRIENDLY” LIVE MUSIC July 21 Spin Cycle • Specialty hamburgers • Draft beer & mixed drinks • Pool tables & satelite TV • Special live music events • Free Wi-fi Sun - Thurs 11 AM - Midnight • 733 Bridge St, Vernonia July 28 Random Access Now Beer & Kegs to go Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM • 503-429-9999 Now featuring Astoria Brewing beers Growlers To Go Smoke House Ribs See our hours and music schedule on facebook Birkenfeld country store and cafe 11139 Highway 202 (503) 755-2722
