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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (April 4, 2013)
april4 2013 VERNONIA’S volume7 issue7 www.vernoniasvoice.com reflecting the spirit of our community What’s New at Stub Stewart State Park By Scott Laird If you haven’t been to visit L. L. Stub Stewart State Park in the last few years, you should make plans to do so this spring or summer. Since its grand opening in 2007 Stub Stewart State Park has seen many changes and the addition of many services and recreational attractions. The park is a great place to go spend a few hours, a day, a weekend or longer; there is plenty to do in this jewel in our corner of Oregon. I recently spent an afternoon touring the park with two park rangers, Steve Kruger and Jamie Mckinney-Fousek, who showed me some of the improvements that have happened at the park over the last several years. Mountain Bike Trails Kruger and I first headed out to the Mountain Bike area that is being built by volunteers. The entrance to the area has a kiosk which explains the risk and skill levels on the trails. The easiest level is a cross country trail, a single track which is being built by the Northwest Trail Alliance (NTA). From there we headed to the base of the free ride area where we took a look at the construction on the extensions of beginner, intermediate and advanced trails that are in development. At the top of the free ride area, Kruger talked about the skill filters at the start of the trails. Kruger explained that the skill filter on the intermediate line is a no bypass, technical trail feature, which allows a rider to gauge their comfort level for the types of features a rider will encounter on the trail. “These trails are like level five in a video game,” explains Kruger. “The Banks-Vernonia Linear Trail is super easy, for kids and families, and is like level one. As you get into the park the multi-use trails and skill levels get harder with the soft surface. Then you can enter into the cross country trail which is more advanced and mountain bike specific and that is like level three and four. That final level is the free ride area. You don’t just jump to level five right away, you inside 3 9 13 15 19 witt visits vernonia wauna fcu annual meeting doernbecher days columbia 9-1-1 operating levy easter egg hunt free School Town Hall Wed, April 17 7:00 pm at the School Commons • • • • New Spencer Park Design District Budget for next year School Project Budget School Project Fundraising Reviving the American Legion in Vernonia By Scott Laird build your skill level.” The mountain bike trails are built away from the day use areas and are somewhat difficult to locate. “You have to be looking for this area, visitors won’t just stumble upon it,” says Kruger. The free ride area is being developed by the Westside Trail Federation (WTF). Parts of the area are still under construction and new trail is continually being developed, but numerous trails are open and ready to be ridden and have some very large jumps, twists and turns, one large wall and numerous technical trail features. Kruger explained that the Park has a working agreement with both NTA and WTF to design, build and maintain the mountain bike trails. According to Kruger NTA has added a trails patrol program to provide assistance for users with trail etiquette and safety. Hiking Trails If careening down a single track trail on a mountain bike isn’t your idea of a good time Stub Stewart has thirty miles of mixed continued on page 10 On Saturday March 23, 2013, American Legion Post 119 in Vernonia celebrated its 89 th anniversary with an open house and BBQ lunch. The following week on Thursday, March 28, The Home Depot Team arrived in Vernonia with supplies and manpower and began renova- tions on the Legion Hall. Both events signified a revival of sorts of Legion Post 119 that local members hope will provide ser- vices for both veterans and the community. “What we want to do is open this building up to the com- munity, and let them know that if they need anything we are here,” says E.J. Davidson, the current Commander of Post 119. “We’re here to help the veterans in our community, if they are down we are here to help. But we are also here to help the general public. If they need anything like land- scaping or other work, we are here to help them.” Davidson has served in the military since 1997 and was recently injured while serving in Iraq. He was sworn in as Com- mander in January. According to Davidson Post 119 has been dormant for many years. The building was in need of a facelift and membership has fallen off. “I want people to know that we are open now.” continued on page 11 “Give Back Bash” Planned for Jamboree Elvis Impersonator Justin Shandor to Star in Two Shows Ask some old timers if they remember when the VHS beer- drinking fight song was given new words to represent spirit and pride. Ask them if they remember the incident where a glass bottle was thrown through the front window of a VHS school bus returning from a basketball game in Corbett, sending many students to the hospital. Ask them if they remember when girls were allowed to wear pants to school for the first time. If they can recall that time, they may remember some of the alumni of the Vernonia High School class of 1973. Since that time, members of class of ‘73 have become bankers, business owners, teachers and even a doctor. When looking forward to planning a 40 th reunion, committee members decided it was time to give back. That means you’ll be hearing about a “Give Back Bash” fundraiser to be held in conjunction with the Vernonia Friendship Jamboree. “We needed to do something besides gather as a class for our 40 th reunion. The hallways of the schools that we walked are gone. Nothing but a memory. We have a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community” states brain-child of the event, Kathi (Medges) Knowles, who currently resides in Beaverton but still owns the Medges property on Noakes Road with her siblings. Give Back Bash committee members, L-R, Kathi Direct from Las (Medges) Knowles, Deborah (Banta) Dustman, Vegas, entertainment will be Norman Crawford, Gayle (Welch) Yokley and provided by Elvis Presley Marsha Sturdevant-Goss. Enterprises Ultimate Elvis his appearance on David Letterman” Tribute Artist 2010, Justin Shandor. explains Kathi, “his popularity has Jamie’s Rock and Roll Legends, exploded. You won’t believe your Justin’s local agent, provides the eyes or ears and you won’t want to fabulous back-up band. “We are so miss this event”. lucky that we booked Justin before continued on page 9
