in other words
march5
2015
Small Town, Big World: The Buzz Cut
By Britt Bensen Steele
Traveling overseas has this way
of turning my perspective on end. I feel
a humble gratitude for everything that
we have in our small community and in
our great big world.
When we were living overseas,
we were asked to accompany some
friends on a short trip to a little island
called Bunaken (one of the 17,000
islands that make up the country of
Indonesia). The island was remote and
we had a lot of time to snorkel, ponder,
and wander. At the time of our visit,
there were no cars, no cell phones and
all the fresh water was brought in by
boat. Each afternoon, we’d take a walk
around the island. By about 3 o’clock,
this was a welcomed activity, as there
was an ocean breeze that made the 90
degree high humidity climate a little
more manageable.
It was a very peaceful island
with half Muslim residents and half
Christians. When we’d awake we’d hear
the morning prayers of the Muslims and
on the big pink church about 10 minutes
from our bungalow were painted the
words, “Jesus loves Bunaken.”
Still, the sense we got was that
peace prevailed on this little island. We
were only on Bunaken for five nights,
but during that time, our afternoon
walks brought us through the yards and
outdoor living rooms of the villagers,
with children and adults alike
smiling with big eyes, pointing at
themselves, nodding and saying,
“Foto! Foto!” Without a common
verbal language, we would just
widen our eyes too, nod right back at
them, and snap a photo. They were
always so excited to see themselves
in the photos. They would laugh and
put their hands at their hearts saying
a universal, “thank you.” It was
contagious.
One of my favorite photo
opportunities was when our travel
partner, Anat, knelt down beside
some children to see them eye to
eye. Anat was a twenty something man
from Sweden with light skin and hair
and a stature that was at least a foot taller
than any native adults we’d seen on the
island. The kids were immediately
taken, not just by Anat, but by his buzz
cut. They began reaching out to him,
requesting with outstretched arms to
touch his head. Anat dropped his chin
and the kids came running, first a few
and then nearly a dozen, reaching out
to touch his fuzzy head amidst waves of
giggles.
These moments still remind
me of how incredibly similar we
are to one another — despite our
differences. Sometimes it seems we
can get caught up in differences, maybe
because our affluence as a country makes
it more convenient to not rely upon one
9
another, or maybe we’ve just fallen
into seeing the difference as a result of
wanting to be different somehow. I am
not sure, but I do know that we all have
something pretty special within us —
and when that part inside of me reaches
out and touches that part inside of
you, our hearts connect.
No matter if, or where we
pray or for whom we cast our vote,
we’re a lot more similar than we are
different.
Thanks for reading, Neighbor.
Britt Bensen Steele, BS, MPH
lives just outside Vernonia with
her husband, Larry and their farm
critters, where she offers community
yoga classes and related events at
their home and YogaFarm. Before
moving to Vernonia, Britt worked as
a health care consultant, taught
public health at the college level
and conducted hospital research and
development. Stories presented here
weave her life in Vernonia with her
various oversees travel, teaching, and
study. To learn more about Britt, visit
BrittBSteele.com
Creature Comforts: Essential Oils For Your Animals - Why? How?
By Michal Smith
both animals and people. Proven
effective for hundreds of ailments, the
history of essential oils dates back to
ancient times when plants were the first
medicines.
Doterra essential oils are
antiseptic and immune system
stimulants. They fight parasites,
viruses, bacteria, fungal organisms,
allergies, skin disorders, tumors and
more. Essential Oils aren’t meant to be
Perhaps you’ve heard of
essential oils and don’t know exactly
what the purpose or uses for them are.
Maybe you’ve thought about trying
a natural way to remedy some health
issues you or your pet have.
Creatures pet store in Vernonia is
now providing Doterra CPTG essential
oils to their customers and will have
them available for purchase during
Receive a $5 off coupon
store hours.
Doterra CPTG means
Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade
oils that are pure, natural, aromatic
compounds carefully extracted
from plants. They don’t contain
Theraputic Massage Specializing in
fillers or artificial ingredients that
• Auto/Work Injury Rehabilitation
would dilute their active qualities
• Medical Massage Cupping
and are free of contaminants such
• Manual Lymph Drainage
as pesticides or other chemical
• Nutritional Counseling
residues.
• Post Mastectomy Care
Many oils claim to be
• Oncology Support
therapeutic and pure but few
• Sauna on-site
are subjected to rigorous testing
standards for chemical composition.
Doterra CPTG essential oils are cross
Heather Lewis,
tested using Mass Spectrometry and
LMT, LMP, CLT, NT
Gas Chromatography to ensure both
847 Madison Avenue, Vernonia
the extract purity and composition
For
appointments call: 503-429-4677
potency of each batch.
Insurance accepted
#10732
Essential oils can benefit
OPEN HOUSE
September 6, Noon-6 pm
New Day Massage
and Bodyworks
Absolute MARBLE
QUALITY FABRICATION & INSTALLATION
MARBLE
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TRAVERTINE
FREE ESTIMATES
Kitchen Countertops
Fireplace & Furniture
Tubs & Vanities
CCB#204480
Phone 503-429-2617
AbsoluteMarble@frontier.com
used in place of veterinarian care but
rather to complement any prescribed
care and enhance overall health and
wellness before conditions develop or
care is needed. These are delivered to
the animal either topical, aromatically,
or internally depending on the condition
being treated.
To learn more and sample
some of the amazing oils for yourself,
everyone is invited to Creatures the last
Sunday of each month from 4-5p.m.
beginning Sunday, March 29 th . A
Doterra professional will be here to
discuss specific oil uses, recipes, and
other amazing opportunities. Mark your
calendar and plan to attend every month!
Creatures is open 7 Days a Week. Mon-
Fri 10-6; Sat 10-5; Sun noon-4
503-429-PETS (7387)
Vernonia Health Center
Open House
Meet our new provider!
Saturday, March 14
11 am-2 pm
Kimberly Lovato, PA-C
Kimberly has practiced rural family
medicine for seven years and has
experience diagnosing, treating,
and providing support and
maintenance of a wide scope of
medical conditions from pediatric
to geriatric patients.
Welcome to
Columbia Community
Mental Health as they
join us in our new
building. Sam Lewis
and Roland
Migchielsen will be
available to discuss
services.
Free Blood sugar checks
Free Blood pressure checks
Drawing for door prizes
Light snacks will be served
Health Board Annual Meeting
following Open House,
public is invited
503.429.0622
1005 Cougar Street
Vernonia, OR 97064
