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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 2014)
in other words/community Living On a Lake: By Gayle Rich-Boxman february6 Have You Made Your List for Your Dream House? 2014 9 WONDERFUL in the winter months, while padding #28. Fireplace in the bedroom with a deck off bedroom. around in bare feet! When we made the offer on this home, I have to #23. Big kitchen, have it open to see into living room say that while we waited for it all to come together, my That’s exactly what I have in our dream home biggest wish was to wake up in our master bedroom, and it is PERFECT for entertaining guests who sit looking out at the lake with the stone fireplace, the around on the barstools while I am creating, or making huge gorgeous deck outside and the total package of romance that this master bedroom created, no matter what time of day or what type of season. And the best one of all: I was perusing one of my old journals and came upon a list that I wrote on February 10, 2001. At the top I wrote “Our Dream House” and I had a list of 46 ITEMS! I have to say that after reviewing this list, almost exactly 13 years later, it is AMAZING how close we came to absolutely nailing everything I had on that list! I found my dream home in 2010. I am a HUGE believer in writing down your goals, your wishes, your Bucket List, whatever you want to call it. I even made a list of what I wanted in a husband. After I met my husband-to-be, I shared that list with him, because even though my list was long, he matched almost everything on it. I am telling you that if you write something down, re-read it and BELIEVE that it can come to pass...it will. Let me go back to that list of my dream home for a moment. I even wrote something that was quite specific that you don’t find in many homes, usually. cocktails or simply when my husband’s home watching football on TV and I’m making dinner--so I don’t miss #31. Heated floor tiles ANYTHING. I’m a part of it! I’ve even had friends Honestly, I don’t recall that in 2001 that make dinner right alongside me and it’s not crowded at was important to me, or why. But, guess what? We all-- it’s delightful! have heated stone in our master bathroom and it’s #2. Water--preferably creek, pond, something in front of house--good feng shui We live right on Fishhawk Lake, which is TRULY my version of heaven on earth and I couldn’t be happier. The wildlife, the towering trees, the QUIET. Oh my...even more than my list entailed has come true. So, my message to you is this: Write down your dreams. Know that they will come true. Believe. Reread them. Believe. They DO come true. They may not in the time that you think they will, but they WILL. I have proven that over and over to myself. I would love to help you find your dream house. Please call: Gayle Rich-Boxman, Realtor® Vernonia Realty (503)755-2905. Amateur Radio Can Assist in Emergencies Members of the Vernonia which was established as the Incident station, giving them extra band width and all over the world and make new friends. Emergency Radio Association and Command Center during the 2007 communication options. VERA/VARK “I turn my radio on while I’m doing the the Vernonia Amateur Radio Klub Flood. VERA/VARK also recently also has a portable station complete with dishes at home and listen to them chat,” (VERA/VARK) held an open house at established a second base center at radio, power supply, extension cord, and says Buxton. “It’s fun. Sometimes the Vernonia Fire Station on Sunday the West Oregon Electric Cooperative antenna that can easily be moved to an I hear Africa, I hear Japan, Australia, January 26 th . headquarters, giving the community alternate location. Europe.” “We just want to get the word the ability to communicate from both Operating a ham radio is According to Buxton, who out that amateur radio exists different than a Citizens Band is also a member of the Vernonia in our area,” said Dawn Moss, (CB) radio. Operators must Emergency Preparedness Committee, who is the Secretary for be licensed by the Federal there is strong interest in re-establishing VERA/VARK and the Public Communications Commission the Community Emergency Response Information Officer for the West (FCC). Many amateur radio Team (CERT). Buxton says he knows Columbia County Amateur operators have their license just there are former CERT members who Radio Emergency Service. so they can help their family in have already been trained within the “Amateur radio is still working, an emergency. According to community who could be a great it does work, we still use it and Buxton, the self-test to become resource in the event of any type of it is evolving all the time.” licensed is not especially disaster or emergency situation. VERA/VARK is a difficult and personal equipment Moss says you do not have to be small group of local amateur can be purchased for just a few a licensed radio operator to join VERA; radio operators who volunteer hundred dollars. you do need to be licensed to join VARK. their time and expertise to help Moss says VERA/VARK “There is a role to play for anyone who prepare a communications will be offering a class to wants to help in an emergency,” says network in the event of a local help people get their license in Moss. Meetings are held monthly on the disaster. They were very March for anyone who would second Tuesday at Mariolino’s at 7:00 active during the 2007 Flood in prefer a structured teaching PM. The group does not meet during Vernonia when electrical power environment. It will be on the summer. and phone lines were shut down. Sunday afternoons. Study Amateur radio, also Jim Buxton manning the radios at the Vernonia Fire Station. guides can be found at HRO in Vernonia’s Voice is known as “ham radio” is a Tigard or practice tests can be published on the reliable source for communications sides of Rock Creek, should the town be found at multiple sites on line. Contact 1st and 3rd Thursday. which does not need complex systems divided in two by flood waters as it was Dawn Moss at KE7HII@gmail.com for of infrastructure to operate. Even in 2007. more information. Our next issue will be when systems are functioning in an Jim Buxton, whose radio call When there is not an emergency, February 20th. emergency, lines could be overwhelmed letters are W7BUX, is a radio operator amateur radio operators chat with people by the volume of calls. Amateur radio and volunteer with VERA/VARK. operators can bypass the usual systems Buxton is the group’s first responder, and talk directly to each other, either who is hopefully available to arrive at across town or anywhere in the world. the station as soon as possible. Buxton Computer problems? We can help. According to Moss, VERA/ briefly explained the role of amateur VARK currently has six active members, radio in the event of an emergency. Hardware testing, repair, replacement although there are approximately fifty “First of all, someone would Mac – Windows – Linux licensed amateur radio operators in the come down and open up the station. A Vernonia community. “We would like county wide network would be set up Software install/upgrade to get a few more people involved,” immediately as well as a local network. Virus/spyware removal says Moss, whose radio call letters are Some sort of structure will form with Custom systems built KE7HHI. someone in charge. Then we could be Amateur radio operators in communication and carry messages if Housecalls have assisted in numerous types of the 9-1-1 system was down or the power emergencies worldwide, including is out or the phone lines are down.” during earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, Radio equipment comes in all hurricanes, wildfires and even during shapes and sizes. The Vernonia Fire Bill Langmaid the World Trade Center and Pentagon Station has two mobile VHF (Very High (971) 998-3705 attacks in 2001. Frequency) radios which can operate bill@rangelights.com VERA/VARK has installed new from a battery pack or car battery. They Available by appointment equipment at the Vernonia Fire Station also have a High Frequency radio at the Vernonia Computer Services
